Title: Ancient House in Ipswich | Expedia.co.uk [Ancient House Hotels](https://expedia.co.uk/Ancient-House-Hotels.0-l553248621561946253-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Ipswich](https://expedia.co.uk/Cheap-Flights-To-Ipswich.d7912.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Ipswich](https://expedia.co.uk/Things-To-Do-In-Ipswich.d7912.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Ancient House Car Hire](https://expedia.co.uk/Compare-Cheap-Car-Hire-In-Ancient-House.d553248621561946253.Car-Hire-Guide)[Ipswich Holidays](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich.d7912.Holidays-City-Breaks) # Ancient House ![Ancient House](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946253/206c1662-44a6-4225-873e-67f151085397.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Ancient House](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946253/206c1662-44a6-4225-873e-67f151085397.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Ancient House which includes heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946253/2807ff21-3701-4361-931a-cda0c96f91a1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Ancient House which includes heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946253/9416736e-87b4-4a24-af16-09215c4f9ab1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Ancient House which includes heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946253/69faf16a-41df-4376-a6fc-0657432ffd3c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Ancient House Activities [Ipswich travel guide](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich.dx7912) --- --- #### Ornamental plasterwork and a well-preserved interior decorate this large building that was a family home in the medieval era and now serves as a shop. The Ancient House (Sparrows House) is one of the oldest and most emblematic landmarks of Ipswich. Visit the building to marvel at its sublime pargeting, which is a style of exterior plaster decoration representative of the counties of Suffolk and Essex. Step inside Ancient House to find period furnishings that reveal the wealth of its previous owners. Records of the house’s history are the subject of dispute, although the earliest mention of a building on this site was in the 14th century. Much of what stands now was erected between the 1560s and 1630s. The home passed between the hands of local merchants before becoming the private residence of the royalist Sparrowe family, who lived here for three centuries. Today visit the retail shop in this historic space. Outstanding highlights of the façade are the plaster relief designs made in the pargeting style that originated in the Middle Ages. Four main panels depict an artist’s impression of Africa, America, Asia and Europe, which were then the only recognized continents. In the center of the façade is the royal coat of arms of King Charles II. Look for pargeting portrayals of St. George and the Greek god Atlas on a side wall. Delicately carved woodwork frames the windows on the house’s ground floor. The retail store has been careful to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the house’s rooms. Note the intricate detail of the woodwork that surrounds marble fireplaces and look up to see solid Tudor-era wood beams. One room has interpretive panels that explain part of the history. A ghost reputedly haunts the house ask staff about paranormal events. Find the house on the pedestrian-only Buttermarket shopping street in Ipswich’s town center. Ipswich Train Station is a 15-minute walk south. If you drive, use the metered car park at Buttermarket Shopping Centre. To enter Ancient House visit during the shop’s opening hours from Monday to Friday. Otherwise, study and photograph the charming exterior at any time of the day. ## Plan a trip to see Ancient House Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices. ![The Great Hallingbury Manor](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2130000/2123900/2123886/41d2b85e_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### The Great Hallingbury Manor £266 per person 22 Mar - 26 Mar found 19 hours ago Return flight included Aberdeen (ABZ) to London (STN) 7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews) Everything was good. Reception staff very helpful and Reviewed on 4 Feb 2026 ![County Hotel Chelmsford](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1890000/1880400/1880337/b8d4bca9_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### County Hotel Chelmsford £391 per person 27 Mar - 31 Mar found 17 hours ago Return flight included Edinburgh (EDI) to London (STN) 8/10 Very Good! (526 reviews) Had a lovely 1 night stay at this hotel. Immaculate room with the most comfy bed. Lovely bar and restaurant downstairs. Great location, 10 minute walk into town. Would highly recommend. Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026 ![The Harvard Inn](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/16000000/15600000/15598400/15598352/aba24539_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### The Harvard Inn £408 per person 27 Mar - 31 Mar found 17 hours ago Return flight included Edinburgh (EDI) to London (STN) 9.4/10 Exceptional! (369 reviews) The staff were very friendly and helpful. The room very clean. The best bit was the Sunday lunch, superb! Breakfast was very good too. Thank you. Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026 ### Popular places to visit ![St Mary-le-Tower showing a cemetery, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946258/c24e231d-0d3d-4499-a3fd-4c3ad440b724.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Ipswich Minster Decorative floor tiles, a soaring spire and Victorian-era stained-glass windows are striking features of this church with 900 years of history. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Minster-Ipswich.d553248621561946258.Attraction) ![Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Statue showing religious elements and a statue or sculpture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946232/216dc850-1dac-4dee-b34a-5effdf7ab8b8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Statue This modest bronze statue honors a locally born statesman who is notable for being the former alms-giver for King Henry VIII. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Cardinal-Thomas-Wolsey-Statue-Ipswich.d553248621561946232.Attraction) ![Blackfriars featuring signage and a ruin](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946242/77a57832-6322-46ca-b40e-096c37ab571f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Blackfriars A mishmash of architectural styles and varied dining options fill this district that cuts through the site of a former Dominican friary. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Blackfriars-Ipswich.d553248621561946242.Attraction) ![The Willis Building](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946234/2616e440-8bc0-4757-9805-7bc7276bc292.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### The Willis Building The design of this modern office building follows the curvature of medieval streets. Take a guided tour during Ipswich Heritage Open Days. [](https://expedia.co.uk/The-Willis-Building-Ipswich.d553248621561946234.Attraction) ![Christchurch Mansion featuring a house and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6094539/cf360176-de6c-4e8f-b6b0-38ba10967ca9.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Christchurch Mansion Experience over 900 years of history while exploring the elegantly furnished rooms and browsing the art galleries in this Tudor mansion. [](https://expedia.co.uk/Christchurch-Mansion-Ipswich.d6094539.Attraction) #### St Lawrence Church You can learn about the history of Ipswich when you stop by St Lawrence Church. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area. [](https://expedia.co.uk/St-Lawrence-Church-Ipswich.d553248621561946249.Attraction) --- ## Top Hotel Deals ## Check availability on hotels close to Ancient House [Tonight ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946253&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08)[7 Feb - 8 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946253&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946253&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09)[8 Feb - 9 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946253&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946253&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026)[13 Feb - 15 Feb](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946253&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026) ![B&B HOTEL Ipswich](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2650000/2647000/2646964/b5c9933b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### B&B HOTEL Ipswich Ranelagh Road Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Pentahotel-Ipswich.h2646964.Hotel-Information) ![easyHotel Ipswich](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31360000/31359700/31359610/b769eef2_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### easyHotel Ipswich 3-5 Northgate Street Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-EasyHotel-Ipswich.h31359610.Hotel-Information) ![Novotel Ipswich](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/530000/525200/525180/ec405827_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Novotel Ipswich Greyfriars Road Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Novotel-Ipswich.h525180.Hotel-Information) ![Mermaid, Ipswich by Marston's Inns](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31890000/31883500/31883430/04dd1669_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Mermaid, Ipswich by Marston's Inns Yarmouth Road Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Mermaid.h31883430.Hotel-Information) ![Salthouse Harbour Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/980000/976300/976277/ee6f2cca_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Salthouse Harbour Hotel 1 Neptune Quay Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Salthouse-Harbour-Hotel.h976277.Hotel-Information) ![Ipswich Town Centre Apartment 1](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/77000000/76860000/76852000/76851938/d6246b4b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Ipswich Town Centre Apartment 1 Flat 1 Lower Brook Street Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Ipswich-Town-Centre-Apartment-1.h76851938.Hotel-Information) ![Ipswich Town Centre Apartment 5](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/77000000/76860000/76855700/76855683/b21247a9_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Ipswich Town Centre Apartment 5 Flat 5 Lower Brook Street Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Ipswich-Town-Centre-Apartment-5.h76855683.Hotel-Information) ![Delightful fully equipped 3bedroom townhome in Ipswich centre St Nicholas street](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/114000000/113730000/113723200/113723196/b3258fe3_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Delightful fully equipped 3bedroom townhome in Ipswich centre St Nicholas street Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Delightful-Fully-Equipped-3bedroom-Townhome-In-Ipswich-Centre-St-Nicholas-Street.h113723196.Hotel-Information) ![Luxe One Bed W/city View Near Ipswich Waterfront](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/105000000/104220000/104211600/104211579/3860446a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Luxe One Bed W/city View Near Ipswich Waterfront Ipswich England [](https://expedia.co.uk/Ipswich-Hotels-Luxe-One-Bed-Wcity-View-Near-Ipswich-Waterfront.h104211579.Hotel-Information) [See all 784 properties in Ancient House](https://expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=553248621561946253) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. 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