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Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Saxtead |
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Although it enjoys the status of being the county town of Suffolk, Ipswich is to be found situated in the south west of the county, on the river Orwell and offers much to be discovered, and I feel its praises remain somewhat unsung. It is set very much against a rural background of delightful villages and small market towns. . It lies about 15 miles from the east coast at Felixstowe and some 70 miles north of London (1hr 20min by train from Liverpool Street Station).
Traditionally the town evolved around the port, in large measure serving the activities of the surrounding agricultural community.
Its architecture shows a wide range of period and type. Ipswich has in excess of 660 listed buildings, as well as 12 medieval churches. Parts of the original layout of the town centre remains as it was in the seventh century. Some notable examples of buildings worth a look are: - The Ancient House in The Buttermarket, Wolsey's Gateway in College Street, and just to show how stylish a modern piece of architecture can look don't miss the Sir Norman Foster designed Willis Corroon building in Friars Street.
Much of Ipswich's traditional industry grew to support the farming that was the predominant activity in the county. Along the dockside animal feed compounding, flour milling, brewing and fertiliser production are or have been in evidence at some stage. Ransomes making farm machinery, and the old sugar beet factory further out in the town, similarly depended on agriculture for their existence. However with the changing fortunes of the farming industry much of the dockside landscape has changed. Many of the old industrial premises have been cleared and replaced by a development of modern accommodation in the form of much sought after waterside flats. The dock itself now provides moorings for numerous pleasure craft, creating a modern waterside atmosphere, completely changed from that of twenty years ago.
One of the pleasant surprises that Ipswich springs on the visitor is the number and size of public parks that are in and around the town. Try Chantry Park or Christchurch Park to get a flavour of this facility.
Within the town centre are two modern shopping precincts, Tower Ramparts and the Butter Market. These are either side of Tavern Street, which is traditionally the main shopping area. As for entertainment there are four theatres, The Regent, The Wolsey , The John Mills and The Corn Exchange ; the UGCcinema complex, plus a film theatre at The Corn Exchange.
Further north in the heartland of rural East Anglia, and within easy reach, are the market towns of Woodbridge and Framlingham , as well as the coastal resorts of Aldeburgh and Southwold.
For booking and availability contact:- Cheryl Jones,
Bantry,
Chapel Road,
Saxtead,
Nr. Framlingham
Woodbridge, Telephone: - 01728 685578
Suffolk. IP13 9RB E-mail: -