What is Holywells Park?
Holywells is a beautiful open space, with stunning trees and ponds, but also a green hub for the community. There is something for people of all ages to enjoy.
The park extends over 28 hectares of picturesque grounds, with a history dating back to medieval times.
Holywells Park is a County Wildlife Site, a Conservation Area with two listed buildings – the Stable Block and Conservatory – and is on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. Holywells has been designated a Regionally Important Geodiversity Site (RIGS).
Opening times during December 2024
Holywells Park will be closing at 3.30pm each day until Sunday 29 December 2024 in preparation for the Illuminate Trail.
Community engagement and facilities
Holywells Park has an active Friends group that supports its development, and volunteering opportunities are available.
New attractions
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Children’s Play Area:
The new play area named Imagination Island has been designed to create a connection with water in the park.
The park sees a variety of exciting play equipment including Croc Creek bridge, where you can cross the wetpour water whilst avoiding the 3D crocodile, ride on dolphin and shark springers, or you can even jump on the DiGBY the octopus seesaw.
The splash pad is open daily from 10am to 5pm from May to September.
The Stable Block Visitor Centre is open every day from 10am - 5pm (1st May - 31st August) and 10am - 4pm (1st September to 30th April).
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Visitor Centre and Cafés
Bishops Parlour in the Kiosk near to the play area is now open daily from 10am to 3pm.
Bishops Café and Tearoom at the Stable Block Café is open daily from 8:30am.
Facilities
- Visitor centre and café
- Changing Places facility for profound and multiple disabilities
- Victorian conservatory and outdoor classrooms available for hire
- Walled garden with open air theatre space and maze
- Children's play area
- Teen area incorporating outdoor gym equipment, table tennis tables, kick wall and I'Play;
- Water play facility (summer only 10am - 5pm)
- Outdoor classroom and story-telling circle;
- Various trails including Trim Trail
- Ice house;
- Bowling green, home to Holywells Bowling Club.
Getting there
Holywells Park is located one mile southeast of Ipswich town centre, near the Waterfront, University Campus Suffolk, and Suffolk New College. View location map and opening hours.
The park has four main entrances:
- Cliff Lane (IP3 0PG)
- Nacton Road (IP3 0NG)
- Bishops Hill (IP3 8EL)
- Myrtle Road (IP3 0AL)
Parking is available at the Cliff Lane entrance for Blue Badge and permit holders only. For other parking options in Ipswich town centre, visit All About Ipswich. For bus timetables, check Suffolk on Board.