Must See Sights and Landmarks in Southwold Area

"Address: Friars Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1LS, England, UK Originally named the Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters and now known simply as the Willis Building, this important Ipswich landmark was built in the early part of the seventies by acclaimed British architect Norman Foster. The Willis Building has become famous for its simplistic 'high-tech' appearance and modern architecture. Currently used as office space for some 1,300 workers, the building features three floors, a rooftop restaurant for staff and panoramic views, although is sadly not open to the general public."

"Ipswich Waterfront is great for a breakfast or coffee break stroll. It has a beautiful view, perfect for a nice hot day when the breeze is brushing past your face. It is also a point of interest for historic landmarks in Ipswich, and has many restaurants nearby where you can stop for food and make use of toilet and baby changing facilities."

"This kink in the River Orwell has been a place of trade since the 700s at the latest. The expansive wet dock opened in 1842, and at that time was the largest enclosed dock in the country. The imposing Old Custom House on Common Quay soon followed, and this Grade II-listed building now holds a conference centre on its ground floor."

"One of the most popular landmarks in Ipswich, the Giles Statue depicts the ‘Giles Family’, famous cartoon characters created by Ipswich-based cartoonist Carl Giles. Also known as the ‘Grandma Statue’ the landmark features the infamous Grandma character, the naught twins Lawrence and Ralph, Rush the dog and the oldest sister Vera. The statue is positioned so that Grandma is looking up at the studio window of where Giles used to create his cartoons for Daily Express and Sunday Express, above what is now a Costa Coffee shop."

"Address: Friars Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TD, England, UK Standing alongside the considerably more youthful Willis Building, the Grade I-listed Unitarian Meeting House was completed at the end of the 17th century and is widely regarded as ranking amongst England's most important Dissenting Meeting Houses, being once described as such by renowned Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe (1659 to 1731). The interior of the Unitarian Meeting House remains very much as it appeared 300 years ago and contains box pews, a grand chandelier, pegs for wigs, and even a secret hole for spying. Open hours: May to September, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 12:00 to 16:00, Sunday services at 10:45 Admission: free"

"If St Mary le Tower is the jewel in the crown of Ipswich's historic churches then the Unitarian Meeting House on Friars Street is its hidden gem. Built in 1699 and hardly altered since, the Meeting House boasts a galleried interior and an ornate pulpit carved by Grinling Gibbons or one of his students. The Meeting House may have been designed by Gibbons' frequent employer, Sir Christopher Wren."

"Ipswich’s civic church on Tower Street came to the fore during the reign of the Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. And it was in the churchyard that Ipswich’s town charter was drawn up under King John in the year 1200. The current building is the fourth to stand on this spot and dates almost completely from the middle of the 19th century."

"Not far from Pykenham's Gate is St Mary le Tower church, the largest and most impressive medieval church in Ipswich. St Mary le Tower was begun in the late Saxon period, and from 1177 it was served by the canons of Holy Trinity Priory. St Mary's has been the town's civic church since 1200."

"With indoor racing karts and exhilarating adrenaline-filled circuits, the thrills of racing in Ipswich are greater than ever here. With easy to drive vehicles (just brake or accelerate, no gears) kids won't be confused and will be able to focus on having fun!. All activities including the Arrive & Drive (8+ years), Cadet club and Kubz club (5+ years) need to be booked in advance."

"The visitor center at Sutton Hoo tells the story of one of Britain's most significant Anglo-Saxon archaeological sites. In 1938 a local…"