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Jim Becker
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Seniors Enjoy Ipswich in Merrie Olde England

Jim Becker 2014-12-07

I volunteer locally at our food bank with a lady who has an English accent.  When I quizzed where she was from, she responded with Ipswich, in England. This senior citizen came to the states with her husband when she was 25 years old.  So today we pay a visit to Ipswich.

Mostly recognized for its football club, this city has recently undergone new developments such as the Waterfront entertainment district, the University Campus Suffolk and new shopping developments which are under construction.

Ipswich, in Suffolk, England, is located on the estuary of the River Orwell and is one of England’s oldest towns. The town has a population of 135,000,while the Ipswich metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 180,000 happy Brits.

 Senior Visitors Discover the Harbor and the Waterfront

TripAdvisor will keep senior visitors occupied for a long time listing over 80 attractions, activities, shopping and nightlife ventures. No visit to Ipswich is complete without a stroll along the Ipswich Waterfront or an evening meal with a sunset view of the boats in the harbor.

Senior visitors can even venture out onto the water with a number of resident vessels including Sailing Barge Victor, Orwell Lady and Viking Blue.

The city took shape in Anglo-Saxon times (in the 7th–8th centuries) around Ipswich dock and as such this area has become a key part of the town’s fabric, both past and present. Senior visitors enjoy the many well-done museums all showcasing Ipswich’s fascinating heritage.

Ipswich is home to a number of architectural gems both new and old including medieval churches and traditional timber-fronted buildings.

The historic remains of the Blackfriars monastery provides the name for an area on the eastern fringe of the town centre and is an eclectic mix of eateries, bars, coffee shops and independent boutiques.

 Seniors Choose Guided Tours Of the City

Travel Around Britain is one of those “one-stop” sites with good information on Ipswich. Christchurch Park, the large area north of Christchurch mansion, is the city’s main park. Cruising down the River Orwell is a very pleasant way to fill an afternoon. If you travel with grandkids, then you may like to pay a visit to the family friendly attractions of Jimmy’s Farm and Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm.

Ipswich Market day at Town Centre

The Tourist Information Center organizes guided tours, led by experienced Blue Badge guides who explain the town’s 1,500 years of history. If you are like me, you too may like to climb aboard one of the open-top summer ‘City Sightseeing’ buses, which have convenient hop-on hop-off tickets.

Maybe take a boat tour on the River Orwell, an attraction for senior tourists visiting Ipswich, with leisurely cruises ranging from small motor boats to historical Thames sailing barges.

Put Ipswich on your travel list and plan on spending a few days for a memorable holiday in – Merrie Olde England.  jeb