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Ipswich Woolpack
Ipswich Woolpack
formerly Wool Pack
South, 52.06182,1.15996
Cask Ale is sold here.
1 Tuddenham Rd, IP4 2SH
grid reference TM 167 450
bar / diner, opened 15th century
owner/operator: Punch Pubs & Co (Punch Taverns)
This friendly bar has the feel of a country pub, despite only being a short walk from the town centre. Adjacent to one of the entrances of Christchurch park, it comprises a tiny snug at front, flanked by a large lounge and a small public bar. A larger room at the back leads to a small car-park. It usually offers up to 6 well-kept Real Ales on hand pump and attracts a highly varied clientèle. The patio drinking area at the front is also often popular (weather permitting).
The pub offers an interesting and varied selection of good quality home-cooked food - including several fish options (they now serve food all seven days a week including breakfast, lunch and dinner). So indoors they offer a traditional pub menu including their very popular Sunday roast - all home made - whilst outside they have a take home pizza menu from their new "pop-up" Zia Marita's traditional Neapolita Pizzeria which is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
Although the frontage only dates from the 18th century, the Woolpack is one of Ipswich's most ancient inns; one of only 24 listed in a town assessment of 1689 and built in a century or more earlier. It is one of the earliest brick-built pubs in the town. Legend suggests the existence of ancient smugglers' tunnels from the pub to the waterfront.
Facilities
- Beer garden or other outside drinking area
- Beer served through handpumps
- Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
- Dogs welcome
- Evening meals
- Live music: Folk on First Sun eve and monthly jazz
- Lunchtime meals (not just snacks)
- Parking
- Quiet pub - no electronic games, piped music or jukebox
- Real fire
- Restaurant or separate dining area
- Separate bar
- Traditional pub games available: regular quiz nights
- WiFi available
Railway station about 1.1 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Other nearby Suffolk pubs
Historical interest
The pub is shown on this OS town plan from about 1880 (larger map).
Owner/operator: PubmasterOldest brick building in town, which once stood opposite the wool mill. Front patio drinking area with pretty floral displays. The inside also bears more of a resemblance to a rural hostelry, with its four rooms, including the tiny front snug, rear bar billiards room and comfortable lounge with its roaring log fire in winter. New tenant has continued the tradition of serving excellent quality ale, with the result that the number of appearances in the GBG are now well into double figures.…
Landlords
Footnote
Just inside the nearby Christchurch park is a memorial to nine "Ipswich martyrs" who were burnt at the stake for their adherence to the protestant faith, as part of the Marian persecutions. Two of the martyrs, Alexander Gooch (of Woodbridge) and Alice Driver (of Grundisburgh) were executed on 4th November 1558, just two weeks before Queen Mary's death.
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(some information from Old inns of Suffolk by Leonard P Thompson)
(** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)