Holywells & Alexandra Parks - Ipswich Central

Situated along the northeast edge of the river Orwell as it winds out of Ipswich, Holywells and Alexandra parks are the last open spaces to remain in the town from what was once a continuous swathe of open land that followed the river out to the coast. Taking the walk back through the parks and into town is like a lesson in local history, and brings you directly to one of the best and most enterprising pubs around, The Dove Street Inn. Set in an area of Ipswich renowned for artisan industry, a succession of brewers used Holywells for their business. John Cobbold began his famous brewery there in the 1600s, and the tradition continues with the Dove Street Brewery which is due to open soon. Like most of this area, Holywells Park dips and peaks in a surprising manner for what most people think of as flat East Anglia. A gated park, open from dawn to dusk, Holywells offers a variety of open spaces with wide fields and a peaceful wooded area down by the old river. Not always so peaceful for the ducks though, if Kopek and Malli decide to take the plunge (which happens far too often). From the public parking at the entrance on Cliff lane (which is where the toilets are located), the main path sweeps down the hill and leads to the two large duck ponds, which form the centre of the park. A haven for wildlife, the park has an active Friends group, and has recently opened a Study Centre in the old stable block. The woodland extends out towards east and visitors will need to cut back through the park to exit the park on Bishops Hill. This is the one busy road on the walk and from here to Alexandra Park doggies should be kept on a lead. At the bottom of Bishops Hill you can safely cross into Cavendish road at the pelican crossing at the junction. After a short walk through the industrial estate in Cavendish road, take a left into Devonshire Road. Here the walker faces a challenge worthy of Montmartre. The short but steep gradient is sufficient to merit railings on the pavement edge to help those unsteady on their feet. Topping the hill the walk turns left again, and takes you back down Back Hamlet to the entrance to Alexandra Park. Along this part of the route, you pass on your left the Wm Paul Tenement Trust, built in the 1920s. This row of urban cottages, and the allotments behind, reminds you once again of the developing industry of the town and it’s expansion over time. Set on the crest of yet another hill, Alexandra offers great views over Ipswich and the new Waterfront development. Again gated, the walk through the park takes you diagonal and left, with the scent of roses coming from the formal gardens, which have recently been revitalised. In the formal gardens dogs must be kept on a lead; but for the most part Alexandra Park offers a single wide-open safe space for dogs to roam. Exiting the park down a sweeping set of stone steps, the walk then takes you through the main piazza of the Suffolk New College. The New College is a statement architectural feature of the regeneration of Ipswich, and turning left the piazza leads directly into Dove Street. This is a great town walk taking in much of the old and new Ipswich in approximately 30 minutes. Both parks feature a goodly amount of poo bins and well-covered pathways, and offer green and pleasant rest stops along the way. More information on Holywells Park can be found at The Friends of Holywells website.

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