All Points East: Ipswich


I’ve been heading east for the last couple of weeks. From Torquay on the south Channel coast, I moved to Lapworth and Birmingham in Britain’s industrial heartland. I then headed further east to Ipswich on the southeast coast (leaving tomorrow to head all the way back west to Appledore in North Devon).



the former post office

Ipswich is the oldest town in England dating back to Anglo-Saxon days when it was called Gippeswic. It’s a modern city nowadays with a thriving pedestrian town centre, but there are still some lovely old buildings.



The Ancient House dating from the 15th century has some extremely detailed pargeting (ornamental plastering). A sculpture commemorating Carl Giles, the cartoonist, adds a comic touch to the town centre.


There are also some modern buildings, including one designed by Norman Foster in 1974, which resembles a grand piano with a garden on top.


With a river emptying into the North Sea, Ipswich was an important shipping port for centuries. As with many waterfront communities, it has switched from shipping to condos, restaurants, and marinas in recent years.
the former Customs House



I've been looking after 4 affectionate, elegant Bengal cats. Here are the males, telling me they haven't eaten in days, maybe even weeks!


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