Car Hire Ipswich

While Ipswich may hug the coast from which it’s derived much of its livelihood, it’s actually only a short drive from the town to many major inland cities. The road network here is not only extensive, it’s also easy to navigate and often beautifully scenic.

Head north on the A140, for example, and you’re only 50 miles or so from Norwich. This medieval city, in the heart of Norfolk, is just more than an hour’s drive away.

Alternatively, drive south-west on the A12 and you’ll pass by Colchester and circle around Chelmsford, before reaching the outskirts of London. Head in the opposite direction on the A12 and you’ll run closer to the coast as you head for Lowestoft and the coastal resort of Great Yarmouth.

Bury St. Edmunds is only 30 minutes away on the A14 and is a fantastic market town, with a cathedral and atmospheric abbey ruins. You can use it as a stop-off point before getting back on the A14 and continuing west to the university city of Cambridge.

None of these roads are motorways – Ipswich lies east of the major motorway network. However, on the local A roads, there’s usually a top speed limit of 60mph, so you can get around. In the city, the top speed is 30mph, dropping to 20mph in some places.

The town is split by the River Orwell, and some of the city centre is pedestrianised. Luckily, there’s plenty of parking to be found in the centre. The South Street Car Park is close to Ipswich Museum and the Buttermarket Car Park is adjacent to the shopping centre of the same name. The council runs a website that details the location not just of car parks, but also on-street parking bays, which are pay and display.

There are those who say Ipswich is the oldest town in all of England. They have a strong case – it’s been a settlement since Anglo-Saxon times. With more than 1,200 years of local history – if not longer – it comes as no surprise that there’s a lot to do, both in the town and nearby.

Sutton Death

Just 11 miles north-east of the town is one of the most significant historical findings in the whole of the country. Found in 1939, Sutton Hoo is an Anglo-Saxon ship in which local king Raedwald was buried around 1300 years ago, along with treasures galore. It’s an eerie experience to tour the burial mounds of the royal cemetery that once stood here.

Many of the finds were whisked off to the British Museum – the iconic Sutton Hoo helmet among them. But the National Trust is currently in the process of pumping millions of pounds into the site to improve the experience for visitors to and to bring the Anglo-Saxon history here to life a lot more vividly. Amongst many other projects, the ship has been reconstructed.

On the waterfront

The heart of Ipswich life is based around the waterfront, which sweeps along much of the centre. While many of the buildings here are new, some maritime constructions remain, including the 1845 Old Custom House with its grand columned entrance.

Yachts float in the water, overlooked by cafes and restaurants, hotels with fine views and the Suffolk University HQ. Get out on the water and dine at the Mariners restaurant, set on board an 1899 Belgian gunboat, floating in the marina.

The Ipswich arts scene is truly vibrant, with modern dance at Jerwood Dance House and the New Wolsey Theatre hosting plays, panto and comedy performances. The Ipswich Regent is the area’s largest venue, welcoming many touring artists and comedians when they come to East Anglia.

Coastal cravings

One of the best reasons for hiring a car in Ipswich is to explore the Suffolk Coast, whether it’s the busy seaside resorts that appeal or quiet, out-of-the-way spots. Felixstowe is to the south-east, right at the bottom tip of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Further up the coast is Lowestoft, England’s most easterly town. It has a couple of claims to fame – composer Benjamin Brittan was born here, and due to its location, it sees the sunrise before anywhere else in the UK. The sandy beach is a Blue Flag winner, and there are two classic piers leading out into the water.

Further north, Great Yarmouth is a larger resort and perfect for family holidays. It’s the archetypal British seaside, with a fun-filled pleasure beach, a sea life centre and superb museums. There’s even a race track, plus theatres and Great British cafes - grab a tray of fish and chips and sit out watching the waves crash onto the shore.

Hire a car in Ipswich and discover the charm of England’s east coast.