Ipswich England in a Day - 1 hour from London, but should you visit?

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you for watching. I made an error in terms of Giles Family Statue. Post edit I clicked on the wrong statue on the map! The statue in the video is actually - Ipswich's Grandma statue is a celebration of one of the country's greatest cartoonists who tickled the British public with his satirical sketches. The rotund bronze statue which stands on Queen Street depicts Carl Giles' most recognisable character who played a huge role in his artwork, which was published in national newspapers for nearly 50 years. My apologies to the Giles Family and the people of Ipswich! A small error but sometimes these happen! Thank you sincerely for watching!

[@lindosland]

And it's Thomas Wolsey, not Wolsley!

[@djquibblez12]

Former finance guy, not afraid to call out the “alphabet people’s flag” 😂 my kind of guy. Enjoyed the video. I’m American, but some of my ancestors that originally came to America were from Ipswich, so it’s on my bucket list. This video was a great introduction. Thanks so much.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

:) glad I could assist in giving you insight into where your ancestors came from. A lot of people came via Ipswich as it was a major port back in the day. A shadow of its former self in terms of status now however, still valuable to those still here :) Best regards!

[@wastedanalogues8991]

Me too , that's the only reason I'm watching thsi right now ! I'm american. But my great great so on, came on ship in 1630ish ..sir Thomas Foster. One day if I ever get money ... I'd love to see his parents grave and stuff

[@NTL578]

I've never watched any of your videos before, but I definitely have similar views especially regarding architecture. Modernism is a scourge.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Glad you could join me for this one :) Sadly the modern world is blighted by overpaid architects who seem to have no sense of taste or insight into what their monstrosities do to the people who have to live with their bad ideas.

[@NTL578]

@@TheWonderingEnglishman Indeed, it's arrogance. 'You just wouldn't get it.' Much like modern art.

[@trinnysafari5628]

Sorry you missed a highlight of central Ipswich which is the Fore Street Swimming baths. A Glorious Victorian building next to St Clement’s church & the waterfront. Agree with you that the city has a lot of potential if only it was better managed by the local council . The people of Ipswich deserve better and should be proud of their history and preserve the wonderful buildings & heritage.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thankyou Trinny! Next time I'm in Ipswich I will have to visit the Fore Street Swimming Baths - I'm a keen swimmer so love a good swimming recommendation. We can only hope that in 2024 the people demand more from the leadership of Ipswich! Thank you for watching and commenting have a happy 2024!

[@roberthare5174]

I learned to swim at Fore St baths , about 1958 , overwhelmed smell of chlorine 😂😂

[@lisabutton8618]

I’ve lived in Ipswich all my life, and thanks to this video, I’m still learning about it. Thank you for your time and insights 💪

[@keebs26uk]

Shithole ain’t it

[@jonlannister345]

I lived in St Clements graveyard for a few weeks, it's the quietest spot in town. It is used as a venue now, was updated with internal plumbing and a new floor around a year ago. They were going to make it into a modern art centre and show naked photos of women, but that got stopped and now it's basically only used for an annual beer festival and some sailor's club thing. I was able to join a group ringing the bells once, who quickly moved their weekly meeting to a different tower. They fixed some of the wall around the back since you visited, but still no benches or bins on that side. River Church is being used quite a lot. Not saturdays, but it's open as a coffee shop through midday midweek and has sunday service.

[@gray3553]

I grew up in Ipswich through the 60s and 70s it was a hive of activity with bustling shops in the town centre and great engineering factories now all gone. Sad to see it now after years of reconstruction just an empty shell compered to its past. Oh its Town not a City.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

The blight of Globalisation has hit Ipswich and towns up and down the British Isles hard. Our leaders don’t care as they aren’t working for the nation or the people.

[@patbloomfield888]

Ipswich is rubbish dump

[@Twangabilly]

The castle like building at 31:00 only dates back as far as the 1830’s. It was originally a prison but later became the local council’s headquarters until 2003, who are now in the “tin foil” covered building you saw at the start of video.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Ahh that makes sense. Did have that look about it! Appreciate the extra insight and thank you for watching and engaging! :)

[@Jems_Poodles]

I've been told there were many hangings there when it was a prison. It really does give some weird energy when you pass it. My kid and I peeked through a window and saw unalived pigeons 😮

[@kevin-sk7mt]

Have just come across your videos for the first time. I have ‘liked and subscribed’ and just wanted to say thanks for a great video. As someone who refuses to watch a tell lie vision I find KZbin far more informative and entertaining. Appreciated your being awake to other things too! 😉

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you kindly Kevin - there’s a few of us out there - just sadly not enough! Appreciated the view, like and sub - in theory it does help this channel grow! Crosser 10k this month and moving closer to 11k and very much intend on producing the content. Best regards, Alex!

[@kevin-sk7mt]

I also sent your video to a neighbour and he enjoyed it too - spread the word 👍😉

[@injongchoi7165]

Wonderful video! I have a friend whose father came to the states from Ipswich and I believe he really enjoyed your video Thank you very much!

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you kindly :) I notice you have Choi in your name? I once had a really good friend whose last name was Choi. We drifted apart in recent years as he moved to China. Many thanks for the watch and I’m glad your friend enjoyed it :)

[@malcolmprice9545]

As someone born and bred in Ipswich don’t bother it’s unfortunately dreadful it’s gone rapidly downhill for the past twenty years

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

I grew up in one major UK historical town and then lived in Ipswich for 11 years. It's one of those places where there seems to be some kind of history around every corner and you don't always notice or realise it's there. When living there, I dated a local girl who was a year older than me. Her parents were also born-and-bred. Quite a few things even they didn't know, or were unclear on. And the years I was living there I did see a noticeable decline. The town was falling apart, more 'derelicts' hanging around, the traffic got worse, more empty shops etc. Shame because the nice areas are very nice. The surrounding countryside is also to die for.

[@terrykevincharles57]

Great video mate. We live in Ipswich and your description is pretty much on point, Christchurch Mansion and its beautiful park are an absolute joy to visit, in fact we've been there twice in the past couple of weeks whilst we had overseas family staying with us.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you for watching and also engaging - glad I could show your town to the world :)

[@dpairlines1480]

I watched your video today and I really enjoyed it. I left Ipswich to move to London in 1977, I returned 27 years ago. When I left, the town was hardly a thriving place, however it has reflected what sadly is the fate of a lot of English towns. The high streets have died as retailers move to parks on the outskirts, there are a number around Ipswich. You mentioned the demographics of the population, Ipswich has always had different communities, certainly since the Second World War, there were many airfields around the county with a large number of US service members here, workers in agriculture came over from Europe and some made their lives here. The town now has a very diverse community, I personally don’t feel threatened in anyway and have many friends from these communities, all of whom work incredibly hard to raise their families here. The LBGTQ++ comments did make me smile, I’m gay and there is no gay scene or whatever here, but every year, companies and organizations get the flags and bunting out, even Argos ! it’s a cynical commercial move, M&S even had a LGBT sandwich, I mentioned to someone who worked there, that as a gay person I found it really offensive, I was told that my attitude could be interpreted as hateful, I looked the manager straight in the eye and told them that this sort of outright commercialism was only going to cause more harm to people like myself. I didn’t get banned, but she glares at me every time I go into the store.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Brilliant! I have many gay friends who feel exactly the same way about it. I’m glad I could capture a town that you once knew so well. Positives and negatives. Like all English cities I like the place - however, many in 2024 seem so offended if I point out problems. More English cities to come in the near future :)

[@ASMRmama-and-Sakura]

Thank you for visiting my home town; would be great if you came back again on a game day, as ITFC have entered the premiership ❤ if you come again you should go to the Arlington restaurant, it use to be the original ballroom dancing hall, and in the 1800s it was the original place for the Ipswich museum til it moved up the street ❤️

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

I’ll put it on my to do list :) Thank you for watching :)

[@gillianmcelroy-addario7423]

i lived in Ipswich when I was a little girl, nice place to live,

[@patbloomfield888]

I was born and bred in Ipswich 1951. It a lovely town busy and bustling. I moved away years ago and don't even visit Ipswich any more it dead dirty place, far to full of people who weren't born here.a very unsafe town now.

[@allsorts4351]

i was born and live in ipswich i like your video its really good and fun.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you for watching and for also leaving a comment to let me know :). Much more content to come!

[@andrewpeek5785]

The statue is "Grandma", a character by Carl Giles the cartoonist.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Doh!

[@thecritic7664]

There is a Giles Gilbert Scott Statue in Ipswich

[@gillianmcelroy-addario7423]

it's a shame that you missed the ancienthaus, I would love to know if it is still a book shop

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Apologies - I’ve noted should I return :)

[@davidbennett4286]

It is, unfortunately, no longer the Ancient House bookshop, nor has it been for quite a few years. It became a Lakeland kitchen/home goods store (actually quite a decent selection of stuff) but then that closed down as well. These days it is mostly unused but, periodically (2 or 3 times a year) will be used for pop-up stalls when a major market event is taking place around the town. And it is also open on the annual town history day when several historical locations open up to the public.

[@gillianmcelroy-addario7423]

@@davidbennett4286 I lived for the last 30 years in germany, but i can't understand that my sister hasn't said anything, it used to be her favourite shop in town, i hope that they a least keep it good condition, it really was/is a beautiful building

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

The Ancient House currently isn't anything. It was Lakeland, that closed, now it's vacant.

[@siowat7911]

Great video, thanks. Not sure it's just complacency and laziness that ruined architecture, the increasing power of accountants played it's role too (and I used to work in finance). One architecture writer suggested that beauty in the field was "what was not necessary". "You don't need a stone pillar, it could be made of steel and it could be galvanized to prevent corrosion."

[@petersoakell6950]

Good one. Art gallery excellent. Pubs nice touch. Subbed.)

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you Peter :) it’s appreciated!

[@NeilPoole-m8f]

Can’t believe this. Walked straight past without a single word, sarcastic or otherwise, one of the most important postwar buildings on the planet, Willis Faber & Dumas by Sir Norman Foster, the first UK postwar building to be Grade 1 Listed. Then, astonishingly, he arrives at the sculpture commemorating Giles - that’s the cartoonist Giles - and starts telling us that it’s for Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. Couldn’t make it up!

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

As stated in description and first pinned comment I admit I got the statue wrong.

[@eishatyson-lumpkin610]

What’s the name of the train you took from London to Ipswich and how much was the commute?

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Hi. Thanks for watching. Trains leave from Liverpool Street every 20-30mins depending on the day. If you search via TrainLine trainline.tp.st/NAh3FhNH - just search London to Ipswich and it will give you an array of options. Departure Station (Liverpool Street Station).

[@griswald7156]

The municipal cemetery is nice…

[@griswald7156]

I’ve tried to visit Ipswich a few times….parking is a struggle if you dont know the place…i hoped for access to a great marina…didn’t really find it…the Germans won here i think…the town centre is quite good if you can find it…if you do manage to park…you might have a good walk to do over busy roads…it needs better parking and free parking near the town centre….monday tuesday and Wednesday should be free for disabled drivers..like Lichfield..when youre trying to park in the centre…you get a big urge to drive away from Ipswich..Ipswich repels tourist drivers..like no other town ive been to..

[@SuperKinlo]

Intresting to watch a video on my home town. Like most of my friends from the town, in the last few years I have moved elsewhere in Suffolk due to the slow and what feels irreversible decline of the town. Gang issues, crime and anti social behaviour blight the town, and I don’t want to raise my children in the town. Think people don’t miss the bins, you would just have to walk to jubilee park just on the outskirts of the town, to see same size bins with litter just scattered everywhere. Such a shame to see the decline of the town as some beautiful parks, old buildings, lovey waterfront but it definitely feels like it has gone to far. Should have gone into Isaacs on the waterfront, is an old malt kiln, which also has a brewery at the back. Still have all the old equipment in there.

[@ChrisScarff-k5j]

As a us air force brat, we lived on tranmere grove, in 1966, rode the double decker to the movies, snacks and return trip for what- 10- 15p?

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

I hope those 10-15p return bus rides provided happy memories! What a time to be alive in 1966! :)

[@ChrisScarff-k5j]

Yes, i was 8 yrs old.that 10p lasted all day, there and back. I lost sense of american money, shillings,thruppences, and sixpences were my world! 2nd visit in 1975. What a historical place to grow up!

[@ChrisScarff-k5j]

And tripping down the cobblestone streets in Edinburgh too! And all the sweets, crisps and ice creams. Thank you for the memories growing up in your country!

[@PepeSnow]

Born here in 89 and still here 🤗😁

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

I’m glad that Pepe resides in Ipswich :)

[@PepeSnow]

@@TheWonderingEnglishman ♥️

[@piotrwojdelko1150]

I live in Iswpich 10yrs and you know more than me.I did a lot to integrate but I failed

[@martingibbs1179]

That hope centre was built in the 90s and was originally an Odeon cinema. The odeon closed because it wasn't easy to get to in comparison to cine world.

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

Cardinal Park was built on the site of a load of historic streets that normal people used to live on. Some of those people are still alive and have shared their memories, interesting stuff all round.

[@Nolanfanips]

A lot of inaccuracies and wrong supposition. However some of the videography is good and yes Ipswich is worth visiting. You missed a Norman Foster building and a couple of other jewels in Ipswichs crown.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Yes apologies. It’s post edit and release do I suddenly realise some of my mistakes. I guess it pays to have a whole production team when making a video on a city. Whereas for my content it is just I. However, I try to learn from each one and I appreciate the ongoing insight!

[@Aden_mclaren]

im going there today :)

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Enjoy :)

[@theresagrano9711]

Ten months later, Ipswich is slowly decaying, more empty office spaces and empty shops. It's not as safe as it used to be. I don't see our MP or our councillors trying to improve or promote Ipswich as a place to establish a business. What I have seen is greedy landlords who consistently raise rents, making business unsustainable.

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

There is plenty that could be done to fix it. Trouble is, seems like nobody can be bothered. One time they ran the arts festival and the marketing material talked about popup venues, literally saying "making good use of Ipswich's many empty shops" - err, bit of an own goal there lads. Just think about what that is saying. The town centre is basically dead and it's not _that_ easy to get around, either - for example simple things like a reliable bus to the railway station, are like Lord Lucan. I couldn't believe how daft that situation was and it's a nightmare if you want to work in London or whatever. You're not wanting to drive to the station every day and it really impacts where in town you can actually live.

[@johngiambrone2994]

I keep saying I like to visit the are. My very distant ancestors were born in the area. Also Thorpe Morieux Parish in the early 1600’s. It would be interesting to see the area they walked. Definitely not the same interests none the less

[@StuartT1981]

The Old Rep, used to be a theatre.

[@KnightZ1987]

Last I heard it had closed. Is it reopen or is this video old? 😅

[@StuartT1981]

Have not got a clue, don't live in Ipswich, knowing KZbin probably old video.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

@StuartT1981 filmed in 2023

[@davidbennett4286]

@@KnightZ1987 It has been a bar (mostly, ignoring periods between management) for at least the last 25 years. It is currently in a "in business" phase.

[@suematthews7434]

It was the Arts theatre many, many years ago. Had to endure Shakespeare and Dickens plays on visits from our school.

[@viewfromtheclouds1831]

Some nice drone footage there, who shot that :)

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Yes thank you - wanted to reach out but you don't have a contact email on your home page. Think you should add one. If you would like I can give a credit below in the description and give people a way to reach out to you for Enquiries.

[@stuartwrigglesworth9339]

Very interesting video

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you for joining me on the journey! :)

[@PamMartinez-vd1hr]

That is also in the East of England

[@adampoulter5240]

Born an bred in Ipswich it used to be a lovely place not now its a terrible place to live to much knife crime an drug dealers

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

The people of Ipswich have to demand more from their Mayor, council and MP.

[@adampoulter5240]

@TheWonderingEnglishman that will do nothing this all starts at home many kids what carry these knifes an in gangs is because they have no father figures in there life. Boys need to be taught from a very young age to fight an walk away an shake hands afterwards. I don't condone violence in any way shape or form but boys will get into fights its a fact if growing up. Only these days they don't like to fight with there hands they fight with knifes an destroy families.

[@samm6436]

New hope building used to be an Odeon Cinema, so that is why it looks so garish

[@felipeyanez7786]

I visited Colchester 22 years ago and the difference with Ipswich was not much , but Colchester is booming and compere with Ipswich looks like third world.

[@RebeccaHarrington-lf2kx]

Yes, I notice that comparison too!

[@pencilpusher9166]

As a resident of Ipswich, its safe to say the town is now an eyesore

[@ryuhoshi2256]

Majority Labour council. Seems the ideology of Labour always destroys things. It’s a state of mind of those who sympathise with communists. democracy.ipswich.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?bcr=1

[@Itsfionamaybe]

Someone else trying to get into church at 32.32

[@Azrael1st]

Depressing

[@StoicaVasilica-bj3xw]

Salutări din România 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️🇷🇴 orașul ispwich England 🇬🇧🇬🇧😀 este și au fost cu adevărat un medieval pentru urmașii noștri 👑🛎🗿⚱️📜💒🙏

[@debramcnicholl3956]

Ipswich used to be nice now it’s a crime ridden dump and a dead town

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

What do you think changed it and brought the crime?

[@debramcnicholl3956]

@@TheWonderingEnglishman if I said on here the truth I’d be accused of being racist which Iam not but certain cultures ruined Ipswich not all of them are bad .

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

I don’t think it’s racist to observe data and facts. The change in Demographics has in my mind brought a change to all communities across the British Isles. Moving away from Homogenous coexistence to a fragmented divided existence which encourages crime to go unchecked and increase. The census is very telling. www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E07000202/

[@SuperKinlo]

@@debramcnicholl3956I’m from the town and fully agree with you. There has been a significant increase in Roma gypsy population, especially in the Westgate Ward. The community are involved in ASB and criminality, only have to look at the names that keep ending up in the courts to see the issues they bring.

[@halfbakedproductions7887]

@@SuperKinlo I was living in Ipswich when the cap on Bulgarian and Romanian migrants was lifted. Overnight difference. I think I reached peak Ipswich when I saw Turkish barbers shouting at Roma kids telling them to go home and get out of the country, that was an eye-opener. But the number of Roma did seem to ebb down drastically after Brexit and I wasn't seeing as many.

[@littlestevie4745]

He doesn't know the difference between 20 cent and 16th century buildings. at least he is aware that the town center is a dump.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Appreciate your valuable insight - which 16th Century buildings did I mislabel?

[@les6516]

VISITORS.....FORGET IPSWICH TOWN......JUST VISIT THE FANTASTIC CHRISTCHURCH MANSION......

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Can we not enjoy both?

[@ianmiles4447]

I'll save you the time, answer is no. 👍🏻

[@JurgenVobiller]

When i wo's 17 jears old i have spend a vev jears in Ipswich Suffolk England but Not allone White a Englisch Family tougether her Name wo's Keeble there wo's Christel a German Woman dand her husband Donald and her children Peter Sonya and Esther the Last one wo's me girlfriend. We lief in the Burlington Road 23 and latter in Chaucer Road 13.

[@JurgenVobiller]

But my ex girlfriend are maried now and good the Name of her husband and i dont know her Name so incant get in Kontakt White her.

[@frasersutherland1834]

Horrible place. Complete dump.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Try to see light 💡

[@les6516]

IPSWICH IS NOT A CITY

[@ottohashmi]

what a relic - bizarre millennial humour with the weird gif interjections, and then boring anti-LGBT gag after that. thanks for the time capsule! now time for me to find a better video

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Generation X And yes I will make jokes at blatant NWO propaganda all day long.

[@ottohashmi]

@@TheWonderingEnglishman and that is your right !

[@niknaksim]

Lots of dog whistles only a few minutes in. No thanks.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

My disdain for the mutated flag that has been shoved down the wests throat is emblematic of a dangerous and harmful ideology that denies the rights of certain groups, refuses any debate or adult discussion, and relies on force, threat and deliberate ignorance of the law to prevail. You may note I’m a supporter of the original rainbow flag 🏳️‍🌈 I turn my back on what the flag has now become. Dog Whistles make others think for themselves.

[@nigelturner2356]

Cut out the homophobic crap and you could be good.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

There’s nothing homophobic about rejecting the cult of the mutated rainbow flag. Plenty of my gay friends reject the current mutation that is all encompassing. The mutated flag is emblematic of a dangerous and harmful ideology that denies the rights of certain groups, refuses any debate or adult discussion, and relies on force, threat and deliberate ignorance of the law to prevail. To ignore this fact is a dangerous path for society to go down.

[@Panda-bd5fz]

@@TheWonderingEnglishmanwhat right do they reject exactly.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

@@Panda-bd5fz The first rainbow flag was designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978. It featured eight colors, each with a specific meaning: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit. - The majority of the western world don't have an issue with this one - especially if its behind closed doors and not pushed in the faces of children and the vulnerable. And yet the recent flags as they have mutated have gone much further. The latest Flag (which we witness on Police cars and buildings) is what is termed as the cringy Progress Pride Flag : Designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018, this variant adds a chevron to the classic flag, incorporating black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities, and the colors pink, light blue, and white, which are used in the Transgender Pride Flag. The fact that it brings race into the flag makes it a joke,. It then pushes Trans (a mental illness) and even has the audacity to include Peadophiles with the flag. The majority of Gay men do not want to be associated with a divisive Neo Marxist cult like BLM (something where the race colours came from) they don't want to be associated with peado's and they certainly don't want this chaos rammed down every persons throat 24/7. Hence I call it out on the video and in the above message. You can disagree all you like but I won't tolerate celebrating mental illness, castration of minors or the celebration of Peados.

[@NixonElaine-y6j]

89604 Peggie Creek

[@balkanhajduk]

Lovely video mate. There is a cool bike and travel blogger #freddiedobbs

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Thank you kindly! Ya have checked out - he is doing well with his vids in Tenerife living the life!

[@balkanhajduk]

@@TheWonderingEnglishman yes, but he is back in Ipswich

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

@balkanhajduk ahh I see hence the reference to him.

[@JacquesGrey]

I grew up in Ipswich through the 60s and 70s it was a hive of activity with bustling shops in the town centre and great engineering factories now all gone. Sad to see it now after years of reconstruction just an empty shell compered to its past. Oh its Town not a City.

[@TheWonderingEnglishman]

Globalist policies have not been kind to the UK.

[@terrykevincharles57]

For sure 👌🏼​@@TheWonderingEnglishman