Christchurch Mansion is one of the most cherished landmarks of Ipswich and Suffolk County. Discover the stories of previous residents as you glimpse inside period rooms and admire the work of some of Suffolk’s finest artists.
Built by a wealthy landowner in 1547, Christchurch Mansion stands on the grounds of the medieval-era Holy Trinity Priory. It passed between the hands of aristocrats, merchants and viscounts before becoming part of a municipal corporation in the 1890s to be turned into a museum.
The exterior of the mansion is characteristically Tudor, with an asymmetrical design and redbrick walls offset by white window frames. Original furniture pieces decorate the rooms, which give an authentic impression of the periods when they welcomed esteemed residents and guests. Highlights include the Georgian saloon, Tudor kitchen, Victorian games room and painted wall panels called Lady Drury’s Closet. Read the signs providing interesting facts about the rooms and their individual features.
Take time to gaze at the vast collection on display in the Wolsey Art Gallery. It showcases masterpieces by Suffolk artists, including one of the British Isles’ biggest exhibitions of works by John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. Marvel at Constable’s Golding Constable’s Flower Garden and Gainsborough’s View near the Coast. Among other featured artists are Alfred Munnings, Camille Pissarro and Colin Moss.
The mansion is a 10-minute walk north of the town center. Street parking is possible, although spaces are limited. If necessary, use the metered car park on nearby William Street. After touring the mansion, investigate its ornamental garden and walk around the lakes and lawns of the adjoining Christchurch Park.
Christchurch Mansion is open from Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is free to both the house and Wolsey Art Gallery. Join the free tour, called A Peep into the Past, for the chance to understand more about the mansion and its owners while walking with a knowledgeable volunteer. The tour takes place once a day from March to October.
