20 Attractions to Explore Near Chantry Park

The Willis Building in Ipswich, England, is one of the earliest buildings designed by Norman Foster and Wendy Cheesman after establishing Foster Associates. Constructed between 1970 and 1975 for the insurance firm now known as Willis Towers Watson, it is now seen as a landmark in the development of the 'high tech' architectural style. The building houses some 1,300 office staff in open-plan offices spread over three floors.

Ipswich Museum is a registered museum of culture, history and natural heritage located on High Street in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk. It was historically the leading regional museum in Suffolk, housing collections drawn from both the former counties of East Suffolk and West Suffolk, which were amalgamated in 1974.

One of Suffolk’s most treasured buildings, this beautiful Tudor mansion is the jewel in the crown of Ipswich’s historic past, boasting over 500 years of history. It is home to one of the world’s most important collections of Constable’s work and is now the only place in his own region where paintings by him can be seen. The mansion belonged to various noble families throughout its history but was purchased by the Ipswich Borough Council in 1884. Since 1885, the building has been used as a muse

Christchurch Park was the first public park in Ipswich, opening in 1895. It extends over 33 hectares of picturesque grounds right in the heart of the town. The park is a designated County Wildlife Site is in a Conservation Area, and is Grade 2 on The English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens of special interest. The park hosts various facilities such as a children's play area, tennis courts, table tennis, bowling greens and outdoor gym equipment.

Ipswich Waterfront is a cultural and historically significant area surrounding the marina in the town of Ipswich, Suffolk. The modern dock was constructed in 1842 and the area was a hive of industry up until the 1970s, at the time of completion, the dock was known as 'the biggest and most important enclosed dock in the kingdom'. The waterfront is also home to the main campus of the regions university, the University of Suffolk.

Holywells is a beautiful open space, with stunning trees and ponds, but also a green hub for the community. There is something for people of all ages to enjoy. The park extends over 28 hectares of picturesque grounds, with a history dating back to medieval times. The park hosts numerous events throughout the year organised by Friends of Holywells Park, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Borough Council and charitable and private organisations.

The Ipswich Transport Museum is a museum in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, devoted principally to the history of transport and engineering objects made or used in its local area. Ipswich Transport Museum is a collection of over 100 major transport and engineering objects which were made or used in the Ipswich area. Local rail and waterway transport and aviation are represented mainly by photographic collections and smaller exhibits. The Museum also houses an archive and library together with costum

Alton Water Park ranges across 400 acres of nature trails, cycling routes, fishing spots, and watersports. Activities include an eight-mile rambling route and an eight-mile cross-country cycle track. Bikes are available to hire from the Visitor Centre.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is part of a UK-wide network of Wildlife Trusts. It is the only charity dedicated wholly to safeguarding Suffolk's wildlife and countryside. From tiny meadows to rolling heaths, the nature reserves extend all the way along the Suffolk Coast from Trimley Marshes at Felixstowe to Lound Lakes north of Lowestoft and are some of Suffolk's most inspiring wild places.

Bridge Cottage is a 16th-century thatched cottage in Flatford. It was constructed as a single dwelling around a timber frame and the gaps between the frame were filled with daub and wattle, a mixture of twigs covered by a plaster made out of mud, straw and animal dung. The cottage is located just upstream from Flatford Mill which, along with neighbouring Valley Farm and Willy Lott's Cottage, are leased to the Field Studies Council; a group uses them as locations for arts-based courses.

FSC Flatford Mill is the first and original field study centre set up in the UK during the 1940’s. It is the Centre for Constable Country, set amidst the quintessentially English countryside of the Dedham Vale in Suffolk and sits on the banks of the River Stour. Flatford Mill runs residential field study visits for school students and provides a very wide range of natural history and art courses.

Willy Lott's House is a Grade 1, listed building. Willy Lott was a tenant farmer who worked the 39 acres around Flatford that made up Gibbeon's Gate Farm. He lived in a house attached to the farmland, which long after his death, became known as Willy Lott's House. Willy Lott's parents lived in this house, Willy and his sisters and brothers were born there.

Woodbridge Tide Mill is one of The Suffolk Coast's most iconic buildings, which has stood on the banks of the River Deben for over 800 years. The mill is a Grade I listed building. It is a three-storey building constructed from wood; externally it is clad in white Suffolk boarding and has a Gambrel roof. Its machinery reflects the skills and achievements of the early Industrial Revolution. It has been preserved and is open to the public.

Dedham Vale was designated in 1970 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the habitats and biodiversity. It contains numerous scenes which inspired famous English artists including 19th Century landscape painter John Constable, 18th century artist Thomas Gainsborough and 20th Century equestrian artist Sir Alfred Munnings. Dedham is one of the most attractive villages in Essex, and the association with John Constable is particularly close.

Sutton Hoo is the site of a group of Anglo-Saxon burial mounds from the 6th and 7th centuries. One of the mounds, excavated in 1939, revealed the remains of a 90-foot long wooden ship. Most of these objects are now held by the British Museum. Scholars believe Rædwald of East Anglia is the most likely person to have been buried in the ship. The site is important in establishing the history of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia as well as illuminating the early Anglo-Saxon period which lacked

A majestic fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich against a Napoleonic invasion. It is 200 feet in diameter, is surrounded by a deep ditch and can only be entered by one removable drawbridge. Part of the fort is now used as a military museum and battle re-enactments and other events are held during the summer months. The fort was restored by the Harwich Society as a voluntary project.

The Museum of East Anglian Life is the largest independent museum in Suffolk. The museum is an educational charity supporting the community. We care for over 40,000 objects – once the everyday items of East Anglian life. Its collection has a particular focus on the production of food and social history relating to it, reflective of the region’s strong agricultural character.

The Port of Felixstowe is Britain’s biggest and busiest container port, and one of the largest in Europe. The port handles more than 4million TEUs and welcomes approximately 3,000 ships each year, including the largest container vessels afloat today – crucially, the port provides some of the deepest water close to the open sea of any European port.

Felixstowe Beach enjoys a fantastic coastal location, just minutes away from a stunning beach along the Sunrise Coast. It was one of the iconic tourist location in this area and also the area around Felixstowe has some good walks, including the Martello Coastal Path, as well as a choice of cycle routes.

Landguard Fort is the site of the last opposed seaborne invasion of England in 1667 and the first land battle of the Royal Marines. The fort was considered part of Essex in the 18th and 19th centuries; births and deaths within the garrison were recorded as 'Landguard Fort, Essex'. It was manned through both World Wars and played an important anti-aircraft role during the Second World War. In 1951 two of the old gun casemates were converted into a 'Cold War' control room. The fort was disarmed a