Some of the best-known buildings in and around Ipswich will be throwing open their doors on the weekend of September 9-10 to give visitors their annual chance to see inside.
Many of the buildings are normally open to the public – like Christchurch Mansion and Ipswich Museum – but for many it is a rare chance for the public to see inside a landmark.
And there is a chance to see behind the scenes that are normally shut off from the public – for instance at the New Wolsey Theatre.
Heritage Open Days have been a feature of the calendar for many years, and the Ipswich is part of the national festival that is organised by the National Trust.
There are a total of 36 locations open to the public in and around Ipswich – including the Martlesham Control Tower and the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook.
Within Ipswich most of the locations are within easy walking distance of the town centre, but there are a few further out including Broomhill Swimming Pool and library, the Castle Hill Community Centre and the restored buildings at Holywells Park.
Among the buildings that are not normally open to the public, there is expected to be a keen interest in seeing inside Ipswich School on Henley Road. And the Masonic Hall in Soane Street will give people the chance to get an insight into the sometimes mysterious world of the Masonic Brotherhood.
The iconic Willis Building on Princes Street – one of the best-known and best-loved buildings in the town – is always a favourite place to visit during the annual open days and offers visitors the chance to visit its spectacular roof garden.
An extra heritage attraction on the Saturday is a historic bus from the Ipswich Transport Museum linking the High Street museum with Ipswich School, Broomhill Pool and St Matthew’s Street every 45 minutes.
A leaflet with a list of all the buildings open and a description of them – together with their opening times – has been produced by the borough council and the Ipswich Society and is available from the town’s Tourist Information Centre in St Stephen’s Church (one of the “open” buildings), the library and at other locations in the town centre from now so people can plan their visits.
Buildings in and around Ipswich open on September 9-10
1. St. Stephen’s Church, Arras Square.
2. Unitarian Meeting House, Friars Street.
3. Willis building, Princes Street
4. New Wolsey Theatre
5. Ipswich Museum, High Street.
6. Ipswich School, Henley Road.
7. Ipswich Cemeteries
8. Crown Pools, Crown Street.
9. Christchurch Mansion
10. Freemasons Hall, Soane St.
11. St. Margaret’s Church
12. Bethesda Baptist Church
13. Pykenham’s Gatehouse, Northgate St.
14. Admiral’s House, Tower St.
15. Town Hall
16. Ipswich Institute and Library, Tavern St.
17. Christchurch United Reformed/Baptist Church, Tacket St.
18. 3-5 Silent Street
19. Blackfriars
20. Tooley’s Court
21. Fore Street Baths
22. St. Clement’s Church, Fore St.
23. Isaac Lord (Machine Room and Brewery), Waterfront
24. Old Custom House
25. Sailing Barge Victor, Waterfront
26. Quay Place, Foundation St.
27. St. Mary-at-Stoke Church
28. St. Peter’s Church, St Peter’s St.
29. Gippeswyk Hall, Gippeswyck Rd.
30. Broomhill Lido
31. Broomhill Library
32. Castle Hill Community Centre. Highfield Road.
33. Suffolk Records Office, Gatacre Road.
34. Holywells Park
35. Martlesham Heath Control Tower, Martlesham Heath
36. Royal Hospital School, Holbrook.
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