Discover life in Roman Suffolk and find out about the Anglo-Saxon origins of Ipswich. Follow the growth of the town in the Ipswich Story gallery.
See artefacts from Africa, Asia North America and the Pacific too.
Visit the Suffolk Wildlife Gallery to see how the the countryside has changed over centuries of management. Look at our newly refurbished gallery of British Birds and find out all about the fossils, rocks, and minerals in our region. See how the museum looked 100 years ago in the Victorian Natural History Gallery.
Pre-school visitors can find out about foxes, hares, rabbits and seals in the mammal gallery and discover gods and mummies in the Egyptian gallery. Follow the Ipswich cat for a child's eye view of the museum.
Events
Abolition! The Thomas Clarkson Story
Now open at Ipswich Museum
Thomas Clarkson, who lived the latter part of his life at Playford Hall near Ipswich, was a tireless campaigner for the abolition of slavery.
The importance of his role in the abolition movement is only now being widely recognised and this exhibition tells the fascinating story.
Find out how and why the Slave Trade operated, as well as more about the rich variety of African cultures from which enslaved Africans were taken. You can also learn more about the abolition movement and the work of Thomas Clarkson in making it happen.
There is also a challenging, thought-provoking art installation by Anissa-Jane, an artist of African descent, which deals with her reactions to slavery.
This is a free exhibition and entry to the museum is free - so come and visit us for a great day out!
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.
Ipswich Museum open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am - 5pm.
Chinese Animal Prints @ Ipswich Museum, High Street
Tue 29th July – Fri 1st August
Put your stamp on history and come along to Ipswich Museum to create your own fabulous Chinese print stamp from which you can create amazing pictures. Take inspiration from the beautiful animals on display in the Natural History Gallery and see how these creatures influenced Chinese prints. Have your turn to create your own print stamp out of foam or lino and use it to make beautiful print pictures that you can take home as a memento of your day.
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.
Egyptian Embalming @ Ipswich Museum, High Street
Tue 5th – Fri 8th August
Do you want to know how the Ancient Egyptians mummified their Pharaohs? Ever wondered how they got the brains out of the nose? Well come and take part in an enchanting embalming ceremony to find out. As well as getting the chance to see precious Egyptian objects that are not normally on display, you will also be able to take part in some fun role-play. Will you play a Pharaoh or perhaps a God? With fun masks and costumes to wear, as well as props to use, you won’t find it hard getting into character! Come along and discover Ancient Egypt.
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1 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 the Egyptian Storyteller @ Ipswich Museum
Wed 6th – Thu 7th August
Come along to Ipswich Museum and hear tales of Pharaohs and Gods with our enchanting Egyptian storyteller. She will take you on a journey into the past and tell you about life in Ancient Egypt. Take a closer look at an Egyptian headrest and learn about what the Egyptians would have used as a mirror.
For a fascinating insight into the past why not come and explore the Egyptian Gallery in Ipswich Museum too. Discover a mummy mask, amulets, jewellery, and lots more.
Drop-in.
Performances at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
FREE.
Chinese Magic @ Ipswich Museum, High Street
Thu 14th and Fri 15th August
Visit Ipswich Museum this summer and be dazzled by some traditional Chinese magic like you’ve never seen before. With our enchanting magician Hui Ling Zhu you can see a variety of close-up tricks! Take this rare chance to encounter a spectacle in the enchanting backdrop of Ipswich Museum. Drop-in.
Performance at 12pm.
FREE.
Circus Skills Workshops @ Ipswich Museum, High Street
Thu 14th and Fri 15th August
Ever wanted to join the circus? Then why not come and take part in a circus skills workshop where you will have the chance to have a go at plate-spinning, ribbon dancing and using a Diablo. Our professional Chinese acrobat and performer will teach you these skills so that you can take them away with you to amaze your friends and family. Don’t miss out – book now!
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per child.
Booked sessions at 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.
Animals Go Live! @ Ipswich Museum, High Street
Tues 19th – Sat 23rd Aug
Enjoy getting closer to nature this summer, as Ipswich Museum hosts Go Live Week. Every day you can meet and learn more about a selection of birds, reptiles and bugs. So why not come along for a fun day out?
The Owl Show
Tue 19th & Wed 20th August
Marvel at these beautiful birds of prey and watch as they swoop over your head.
Booked sessions at 1.30pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm. Entry to owl shows by ticket only.
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per person (2 years and under free).
Doors will be closed after the start of each owl session. Unfortunately no entry is permitted once each owl show has started.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.
Big Bugs
Thu 21st August
Don’t miss your chance to get closer to some unusual and fabulous big bugs. Booking is advised.
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per person starting from 12pm.
Last session finishes at 4pm.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.
Fluffy Creatures
Fri 22nd August
Come and have the chance to find out some great facts and stroke some amazing fluffy creatures. Booking is advised.
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per person starting from 12pm.
Last session finishes at 4pm.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.
Snakes
Sat 23rd August
Find out more about the fascinating world of snakes and get closer to some real life slithery friends. Booking is advised.
Free admission to the museum, sessions are £1.50 per person starting from 12pm.
Last session finishes at 4pm.
Book through Christchurch Mansion on 01473 433554.
Sorry, we cannot take bookings for large groups.