Christchurch Park, Ipswich, Suffolk UK

Peaceful Haven and Child Friendly Play Facilities Near Town Centre

Aug 26, 2009

Christchurch Park in Ipswich offers 70 acres of rolling parkland with many veteran trees and enough room places for fun for kids as well as peace and quiet for adults.

The park is a few hundred yards to the north of the pedestrianised Ipswich Town centre, away from the bustle of the shoppers and plenty of space to spread out. It was established in 1895, and was originally the site of the Augustinian Priory of the Holy Trinity. Nearly all traces of the Priory have gone, though St Margaret's Church at the southern edge of Christchurch Park was largely built by the Priory at the turn of the 14th century. The Tudor style Christchurch Mansion was built on the site of the Priory in the sixteenth century.

Christchurch Mansion and the Wolsey Art Gallery

Christchurch Mansion is open to the public, with an impressive collection of paintings by John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. Both artists have local connections, Constable was born in East Bergholt in Suffolk, near his father's mill, Flatford Mill. Gainsborough lived in Ipswich for seven years. Several of the rooms in the mansion have been restored to show them as they were when the mansion was in private hands, including a number of antique laundry items which bring in home to modern visitors just how much time and effort went into washing clothes in the past. There are frequent art exhibitions in Christchurch Mansion, and the rear of the building houses the Wolsey Art Gallery

Ancient Trees in the Park and the Damage From the Great Storm of October 15/16 1987

The parkland surrounding the stately home of Christchurch Mansion contains many old trees. Tragically many of these succumbed to the storm force winds that wreaked havoc across southern England in October 1987. Despite the losses, the remaining veterans add to the park's atmosphere of tranquility and antiquity. To the west of the park there is an arboretum with a variety of unusual species.

Child-Friendly Features of Christchurch Park

The southern part of Christchurch Park features the Wildlife Pond and the Round Pond. Generations of Ipswich children have fed the ducks on these ponds over the years - so much so that when the ponds were drained for the renovation in 2008 some five feet of silt had to be dredged from them. Duck feeding is now discouraged by the park authorities, but the tame waterfowl still come to the edge and often out onto the grass and try it on.

Further up the main path at the crest of the hill overlooking the duck ponds and Christchurch Mansion there is a Wild West themed play area. Ipswich Park Rangers run several wildlife discovery events over the summer holidays and into the Autumn, details can be had from the Reg Driver Visitor and Information Ventre at the Bolton Lane entrance to the west of Christchurch Park.

Sports Facilities At Christchurch Park

There are tennnis courts and a croquet lawn near the arboretum. The bowling greens are on the east side up the hill. Information and booking is available at the Reg Driver Information Centre.

Public Events at Christchurch Park

Christchurch Park - Civic Amenity in Ipswich For All Ages

The citizens of Ipswich and visitors have enjoyed this 70 acre attractive park ever since the turn of the 20th century, and it still serves them well. Christchurch Park was renovated in 2008 after receiving a grant of over three million pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Public toilets are available at the southern end and at the Bolton Lane park admin building. Entrance to Christchurch Mansion was free at the time of writing.

The copyright of the article Christchurch Park, Ipswich, Suffolk UK in England Travel is owned by Richard Mudhar. Permission to republish Christchurch Park, Ipswich, Suffolk UK in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.