Ipswich Hotels

All you need to know about Ipswich hotels

• Many hotels in Ipswich
• Most hotels in Ipswich area ideal for families travelling together, and there are numerous kid-friendly attractions - such as the world-famous Jimmy’s Farm - to be found throughout the city
• Many Ipswich hotels can be found near the River Orwell estuary, close to the centre of town
• Hotels in Ipswich fill up the fastest during the year’s various annual festivals, so book early for such engagements

Ipswich is one of the oldest continuously occupied towns in England and thus steeped in history. Dating back to the 7th or 8th century, Ipswich has ties to both the Roman Empire (it was home to both a Roman fort and a large Roman villa) and the Middle Ages (when the town was initially founded). Ipswich was even ruled by Vikings for a time. Today, the town is known as a hub for art and music, as well as for its Championship football club.

Hotels in Ipswich offer a range of budget, location, and comfort options. Many Ipswich hotels take advantage of the port town's beautiful waterfront location, providing unbeatable views of the Orwell estuary and its adjacent townscape. For those with more quaint tastes, there are also many affordable guesthouses and B&Bs.

Experience the Artistic Side of the Area from Your Ipswich Hotel

Ipswich is home to a community of artists, actors and musicians. The area houses multiple art galleries, museums, arts festivals and theatres - to name a few of the artistically-inclined attractions. One key destination is the Ipswich Regent Theatre, a beautiful venue for concerts, plays and shows. The Regent Theatre has a long history, from hosting events during World War II to welcoming legendary acts such as The Beatles, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Roy Orbison and Jimi Hendrix in the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. More than 85 years after first opening its doors, the Regent Theatre continues to host outstanding entertainment. If your hotel is located close to the theatre, make sure to check the listings to see what events will be playing while you are in town.

If you are craving entertainment, Ipswich is also the home to several noteworthy annual festivals. The Ipswich Arts Festival pairs art exhibitions with performances and other events for two weeks every summer. The Ipswich Jazz Festival, meanwhile, takes place each June and features live music, dancing, film, art, workshops and more. Do be advised, though: these events are popular, so book your hotel sooner rather than later if you plan to attend .

Family Activities in Ipswich

If you are getting a room at a hotel in Ipswich for a family holiday, then you are probably on the lookout for child-friendly events and attractions in the area. Luckily, Ipswich has plenty to offer for the whole family.

If you want a chance to get outdoors, you can’t beat Jimmy’s Farm. Jimmy’s Farm was endeared to the public back in 2004 when BBC Two aired a documentary series about a farmer named Jimmy Doherty who was in the process of starting the Essex Pig Company. Jimmy’s Farm is the home to a wildly popular farm park, which offers many attractions for kids and adults alike. Children can visit the butterfly house, have fun in the kids’ play areas, learn to fish or meet a variety of animals including donkeys, cows, sheep, goats and pigs. Adults will love stopping in at the butchery for high-quality cuts of meat or sitting down to a meal at the rustic Jimmy’s Farm restaurant.

There are also several other kid-friendly spots within easy reach of your Ipswich hotel. Holywells Park is another excellent place to take kids to run around. It offers plentiful children’s activities, a water play area and exposure to Suffolk’s wildlife. For a rainy-day activity, why not visit the Ipswich Transport Museum, a collection of more than 100 historic trams, trolleys, buses, horse-drawn vehicles and more.

Ipswich is just a half hour’s drive southeast of Bury St Edmunds. If you need more options for nearby accommodations, browse our hotels in Bury St Edmunds.