Discover Ipswich's historic past and visit the beautiful Christchurch Mansion. See period rooms from the sumptuous Georgian Saloon, to the more humble Victorian wing with its displays of children's toys and dolls houses.
Don't miss the biggest collection of paintings by Gainsborough and Constable, outside of London, along with collections of other artists inspired by the beautiful landscapes of East Anglia.
Events
Have a taste of the past @ Christchurch Mansion
2.00pm and 3.00pm every Wednesday until October
Have you ever wondered about the rich stories and fascinating past of Christchurch Mansion? Do you want to know more about the faces behind the many portraits or about the enchanting families that have lived there in the past? Well now you can find out – absolutely free.
Until October, the Friends of Ipswich Museums are offering you the chance to enjoy a free 'taster tour' of Christchurch Mansion. On Wednesday's only, at 2pm and 3pm, you can sample a fabulous guided tour – who knows it may even inspire you to book a full tour, if you are thirsty for more!
The taster tours offer the unique chance to discover more about the mansion from one of our expert Friends of the Museum, absolutely free. The tours last up to an hour and there is no need to book, just turn up for a taste of the past.
Out of the Box – Bringing Costume to Life - FREE
Selected Thursdays throughout 2008
Don't miss your chance to see some of Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service's most beautiful costumes as they come out of their boxes! Hosted by the costume curator you will see all kinds of items from beadwork, to needlework and children's wear. You will have the chance to see these beautiful items close-up, many of which have not been on display before.
24 July 2008, 2pm – 4pm
Beadwork
7 August 2008, 2pm – 4pm
Embroidery
21 August 2008, 2pm – 4pm
Childrenswear
The Silk Trail @ Ipswich Museum, Christchurch Mansion and Gallery 3
Thu 24th July – Sun 31st August - FREE
Everyday over the summer holidays you can enjoy a fun quiz trail at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich Museum and the Dragons, Silks and Stories exhibition at Gallery 3 in the Town Hall Galleries. In the quiz trail you can learn more about the museums and how many of their fascinating objects were inspired by, or came from the East. Plus, everyone that completes a quiz trail form will be entered into a prize draw, for the chance to win a fabulous prize.
Christchurch Mansion open Monday – Sunday, 10am - 5pm.
Broccoli Landscapes @ Christchurch Mansion
Mon 28th July – Fri 1st August
Have you ever thought that broccoli looks a bit like a tree? Well Thomas Gainsborough thought the same thing and used them to create his own mini still life landscapes before he drew them. Now is your chance to make your own mini still life landscapes to inspire your artistic side. Will you use a mirror for a lake, a pebble for a rock and broccoli for a tree? Come along and see what kind of a beautiful landscape you can create before painting or drawing it into your very own fine art masterpiece!
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per person.
Booked sessions at 10.30am, 11.30pm, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.
Meet Thomas Gainsborough @ Christchurch Mansion
Tue 29th – Thu 31st July
Come to Christchurch Mansion, step back 250 years to 1758 and meet the wonderful Thomas Gainsborough when he was still painting in Ipswich. Find out what inspired him to create the magnificent masterpieces currently on display in the Wolsey Art Gallery, and how he went about painting them. Listen as Gainsborough shares fascinating tales to help bring the pictures to life with the stories that are hidden within them.
Drop-in.
Performances at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
FREE.
Fan Decorating @ Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich
Mon 4th – Fri 8th August
Cool yourself down this summer by coming to Christchurch Mansion and having a go at decorating your own fan. Be inspired by the beautiful collection of fans on display and have a go at designing your own. What kinds of patterns and pictures will you create on your fan? Using metallic pens and other decorative items this fun and creative session will get your design skills flowing! When you get hot from running around in the beautiful Christchurch Park, you will be able to fan yourself down with this memento of your fun day out.
Free admission to the museum, activity £1 per person.
Drop-in event 10.00am – 12.45pm and 1.45pm – 4.30pm.
Make Your Own Tudor Instrument @ Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich
Mon 11th – Wed 13th August
Come to the Christchurch Mansion this summer and have fun making your own unusual cardboard Tudor instrument. Using a template your Tudor instrument will be a work of art and make some great sounds! Our friendly freelancer will be on hand to help you make your instrument and you can decorate you instrument however you like. Take it home and amaze your friends and family with the music you’ll be able to create.
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per person.
Booked sessions at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.
Tudor Minstrels @ Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich
Wed 13th August
Don’t miss your chance to listen to professional Tudor musicians playing at Christchurch Mansion this summer! Gather in the beautiful surroundings of the Main Hall and hear some traditional Tudor music. If you’re in need of some tranquillity this summer come along and enjoy this fantastic free event in the enchanting surroundings of Christchurch Mansion.
Drop-in.
Performances at 12pm, 1pm, and 2pm.
FREE.
Shadow Puppets Workshop @ Christchurch Mansion
Mon 18th – Fri 22nd August
Come along to Christchurch Mansion and create your own Chinese birth year shadow puppet. Are you a rat, a tiger, a dragon or a monkey? Depending on what year you were born in you can discover the animal that represents you in the Chinese zodiac. Have fun making your puppet and why not have a go at making your own mini theatre so that you can have hours of fun putting on your own shadow puppetry performances at home.
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per person.
Booked sessions at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.
Toy Talks @ Christchurch Mansion
Mon 18th – Fri 22nd August
Come along to Christchurch Mansion and be enchanted as you are guided through some of the fascinating toys in the collection. Can you guess what they are made from and which one made an appearance in the Great Exhibition? How did the Victorians get toys to move without batteries or electricity? Come and find out more about this beautiful collection.
Drop-in talks at 10.30am, 11.30pm, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3pm.
FREE.
The Victorian Chimney Sweep @ Christchurch Mansion
Mon 25th and Tue 26th August
Have you ever noticed how many chimneys there are on a mansion? How did a Victorian chimney sweep manage to keep all the chimneys on a house like Christchurch Mansion so clean? Just how did he hide the mess from the rich lady of the house? Come and find out from our Chimney Sweep and try and have a go at some of his sweeping techniques in this interactive and fun storytelling session.
Drop-in.
Performances at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
FREE.