Ipswich Local Area Guide

14 April 2025

Home to a vibrant community of independent shops and small businesses, Ipswich is one of the most historic towns in Britain. With its beautiful riverside setting, whether you’re enjoying a riverside walk, dining by the water, or taking in the rich history, Ipswich offers a unique lifestyle where heritage, culture, and modern amenities come together seamlessly.

Ipswich is also home to a brand-new Shared Ownership development: Sampson Green. This new community offers 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom shared Ownership homes within four acres of idyllic open space; complete with dog walking routes, cycle paths, and an exciting children’s play area.

To help you understand how life at Sampson Green could look, this Ipswich area guide is filled with things to do and places to see when you move into your new Shared Ownership home.

Things to do in Ipswich

As one of the oldest towns in the UK, Ipswich boasts a fascinating history, from its Saxon origins and its maritime legacy.

No visit to Ipswich is complete without a stroll along the vibrant waterfront, where historic landmarks like Christchurch Mansion sit alongside vibrant cafes, shops, and galleries. Sport enthusiasts will enjoy venues like Portman Road Football Stadium, home to Ipswich Town Football Club.

The town thrives with a lively arts and culture scene, offering a range of theatres, museums, and music venues to explore. You can even go on a sightseeing cruise on the River Orwell!

Places to eat

From fine dining restaurants to traditional country pubs, there’s certainly no shortage of great places to eat in Ipswich. And the sheer variety on offer will suit all tastes and budgets – whether you’re planning a romantic evening out, or want to treat the whole family to a satisfying meal.

Ipswich also offers plenty of dog friendly pubs and restaurants, making it the perfect place for your four-legged friends. From afternoon tea in one of the waterside cafes to dinner at an award-winning restaurant, below are some of the top picks in and around Ipswich town centre:

16 Steakhouse – Steakhouse
Maharani – Indian cuisine
Trongs – Chinese
The Grazing Sheep – Café
Ocean Fish Platter – Seafood
Takayama – Japanese
The Grill at 25 – British
Kwan Thai – Asian
Bistro on the Quay – European
Mariners – French
Waterfront Bistro – International
ChutneyZ – Indian cuisine
Mahzen Barbeque restaurant & Meze Bar – Mediterranean
The Forge Kitchen – Steakhouse
Chefs’ Whites Restaurant – British

Bushido Sushi & Izakaya – Japanese

Shopping and entertainment

If you’re looking to update your wardrobe or add some character to your new Shared Ownership home, Ipswich offers a mix of big-name brands and independent boutiques.

The Saints is a vibrant area where independent shops and bustling street markets bring a unique charm to the local community. Explore a diverse range of boutiques, artisan stores, and quaint cafes, offering a truly personal shopping experience.

For shopping and entertainment, Buttermarket Centre offers four floors of restaurants, shops and entertainment such as Omniplex Cinema, Boom Battle Bar and Superbowl.

Ipswich Market is open every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, offering over 30 stalls ranging from fruit & veg to clothing, plants and flowers.

Education

There are a wide range of high schools and primary schools in Ipswich, to cater to children of all ages. Many of these are also rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted.

Here’s a list of possible schools that your children could attend in Ipswich, as well as how far each is located from your new Sampson Green Shared Ownership home:

Piper’s Vale Primary Academy – 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good
Little Learners Nursery – 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding
Morland Church of England Primary School – 1.1 miles | Ofsted: Good
Happy-Tots pre school – 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good
Cliff Lane Primary School – 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good
Twizzle Tops Day Nursery – 1.2 miles | Ofsted: Good
Murrayfield Primary Academy – 1.4 miles | Ofsted: Good
Playout Childrens Nursery – 1.5 miles | Ofsted: Good
Sir Bobby Robson School – 1.5 miles | Ofsted: Good
Stoke High School – Ormiston Academy) – 2.6 miles | Ofsted: Good
Coplestone High School – 2.7 miles | Ofsted: Good

Greenery right on your doorstep

Living at Sampson Green, not only will you have over four acres of green space right on your doorstep, you’ll be within minutes of a range of idyllic country parks, nature reserves and scenic walks.

Pipers Vale Nature Reserve and Landseer Park are less than a mile away, and the beautiful Holywells Park and Orwell Country Park are just a short drive away.

The Ipswich Blue Plaque Trail is the perfect walk to see the city whilst also learning about some of the most renowned people who were born or lived there.

For a longer walk, why not check out the Alton Water Circular Trail, an easy and mostly flat 7.9 mile route with lovely views of the water and plenty of wildlife to see.

Another spot not to be missed is Christchurch Park (pictured), where you can walk the nature trail or enjoy a picnic in the warmer months.

Local transport links near your new home

Whether you’re looking to spend a day out shopping at the Ipswich Waterfront or going further afield, you can travel easily by train from Ipswich Station to many great locations, including Stowmarket (10mins), Norwich (38mins) and London (around an hour). There are also frequent bus services from just outside Sampson Green, providing access to Ipswich town centre.

If you’re travelling by car, you’ll be close to road networks with the A41 linking you to the A12. This takes you east along the coast, and west to London and the rest of the country.

Call Ipswich your new home

Between the stunning waterfront restaurants and idyllic nature walkways, Ipswich has a lot to offer. If you’d like to learn more about Shared Ownership in the area, register your interest for our Sampson Green development today.

For any questions that you may have, reach out to our friendly team who will be happy to explain the process to you.