The Carlton Hotel

Arial view of Ipswich

by Carnation

Another aerial view of the town. This time you can see a huge black building, resembling an artist's palette in shape. This is the home of a big insurance company and it facilitates a swimming pool on ground level and a rooftop restaurant and gardens for its employees. The whole structure is built of glass and it has won many awards for design, structure and architecture.

Boats,boats and more boats -

by joanj

Shotley Peninsula is approx 16 miles from the centre of Ipswich and to reach it you pass through little villages, but also the road partly runs along the river Orwell. Along this stretch of road, there are a few laybys where you can watch boats sailing up the river to the Ipswich Marina and view the huge expanse of the Orwell Bridge, which is part of the A14 road link to Felixstowe and beyond

The Penisula is popular with birdwatchers, with riverside walks, a few traditional inns, two waterside restaurants, and lovely scenery.

There are frequent bus services to and from Ipswich.


When you arrive at Shotley you can go no further because there in front of you is the river Stour, and across you can see the Quay at Harwich, where the cruise ships arrive and depart from.

The day we spent a few hours there, the cruise ship Jewel of the Seas was preparing to Depart for a cruise to Norway. I did take a photograph of the cruise ship, and a distance shot showing the cranes of Felixstowe in the background while the ship was slowly negotiating the river prior to heading out to the North Sea.

Looking to the left you can see the huge cranes of Felixstowe , and if you park the car and walk around the corner to the left of you, you arrive at the Lock Gates which takes the boats from the river to the Marina Basin.

Along by the Lock gate, there is the Harwich Harbour Foot and cycle ferry, a small craft which takes 10 minutes Harwich to Shotley (& return) and Harwich to Felixstowe, 15 minutes.

there is a timetable posted by the berthing pier.

Also here by the Lock and Marina, where there is some parking available, there is a small museum housing memorabelia of HMS Ganges. There are a lot of photographs, interesting uniforms of most of the ranks, a host of information on HMS Ganges, and there are volunteer personnel on hand to answer your questions. There is no charge, but donations may be made.

Concession pass holders can use the ferry free of charge. Check out the website of www.suffolkonboard.com .

Ipswich

by sue_stone

We have some lovely friends who live in Ipswich, and one weekend we went to stay with them for the night. Not wanting to offend anyone, but I wasn't too keen on Ipswich itself....

We did however have a great time visiting our friends, and enjoyed the surrounding countryside and villages.

In and around Ipswich ~ Christchurch Park (2)

by Carnation

"War Memorial"

Close to the gates is a beautiful garden area where the War Memorial is situated. Commemorating the brave soldiers who fought and died in both WW 1 and WW 2.

"Wildlife Pond"

There is also a wildlife pond where many species of wild ducks live and breed freely in and around the water.

"Wildlife Pond"

Here you can sit and watch the wild birds flying in and out, preening themselves or raising their young. A lot of them are quite tame and walk about the footpaths hoping to catch some breadcrumbs or bird food offered by spectators.

"Nesting Island"

The wild birds have a secluded nesting island further back, away from the public, where they can raise their young.

"Gate Entrance"

Another gateway leading into the park.