Christchurch Park
Christchurch Park is right in the centre of Ipswich. Families love the play areas and there are plenty of open spaces to sit, relax or run around. Christchurch Mansion and the monuments are full of history and the park has plenty of amenities, including cafés, an ice cream hut and toilets. The park hosts a wide range of events, from music festivals and fireworks to open-air cinema and wildlife walks. Joggers, dog walkers and families all enjoy the trails, making it a great park for exercise too.
Opened in 1895 as Ipswich’s first public park, Christchurch Park’s history goes back to the 12th century. Covering 33 hectares, it features an upper and lower arboretum, tennis courts, doggy-day care, ponds, play areas, orchards and a band stand and can be accessed via Soane Street, Westerfield Road, Bolton Lane, Henley Road, Fonnereau Road and Park Road. Christchurch Park has held the prestigious Green Flag Award for 18 years in a row.
If you’d like to share your photos, stories or artwork inspired by Christchurch Park, please tag us @parklifeipswich
For more information about Christchurch Park please visit: www.focp.org.uk or ipswich.gov.uk
My parklife: Wendy Hodgson
Christchurch Park is where so many of my favourite memories have happened: birthday parties, games of rounders, talks with friends, dog walks, trips through to town, watching fireworks and looking out for Mabel the owl (we’re probably on “Mabel the Third” by now).
What I love most is how the park changes every day and every season. It’s a place for all the in-between moments, the ones that seem small at the time but, when you look back, turn out to be some of the best.
