Ipswich Duke (Duke of York)
Local licensing authority for Ipswich is Ipswich Borough Council
CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated Mar 9th, 2025.
Something we've got wrong about this establishment? Something more you think we should know about it? Please email us
Ipswich Duke (Duke of York)
formerly Grand Old Duke of York
North West, 52.05949,1.16929
Currently closed but expected to reopen.
212 Woodbridge Rd, IP4 2QP
grid reference TM 173 448
The pub is shown on this OS town plan from about 1880 (larger map).
Recently closed. This is a single L shaped bar with various seating areas including a small outside patio to side and a large new patio to rear of the parking area. Previously it usually had a selection of two or three cask ales from smaller local brewers, and regular live music sessions.
Facilities
Beer served through handpumps
Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
Parking
Railway station about 1.1 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Derby Road: 1.1 miles (1.8km)
Pony & Trap 0.28 mile
Case is Altered 0.28 mile
Dove Street Inn 0.31 mile
County of Suffolk 0.37 mile
Woolpack 0.43 mile
Salutation 0.46 mileHistorical interest
Owner/operator: Adnams
[Grand Old Duke of York]
The Duke reputedly slept and took wine here while local buildings were being used to billet his soldiers. Pleasant refurbishment adding a good patio area to the pub, which is now a single bar area. Good quality beer and food (no food Sun. eve). Disabled toilet facilities and access via the back.
Beers: Adnams Bitter, Old, Broadside; Whitbread Boddington's Bitter; guest beer.CAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
Also listed at Albion hill.
It's claimed that the Duke slept here and took wine whilst his men were billeted locally. …
Landlords
Footnote
There have been many Dukes of York - the song (Grand Old D of Y) usually refers to Frederick Augustus (1763-1827), second son of George III. He commanded the English army in Flanders in 1794-95. But the song misrepresents the facts as he was only 31, had 30,000 men and had no hills close to where he was fighting. Some claim it could be a reference to Woodbridge Rd in Ipswich, though there are undoubtedly many other places where the same claim is made.
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
