IPSWICH THINGS TO DO

Heritage Open Days – Ancient House

The Ipswich Society at The Ancient House, Ipswich

Information - Heritage Open Days – Ancient House

As part of the Heritage Open Days 2026 Festival

The Ancient House is a Grade 1 listed building dating from the 15th century. Famous for the elaborate pargetting, ‘Ipswich windows’ and wood carvings, it is an important building not only to Ipswich but nationally.

Ipswich’s most famous landmark is The Ancient House which stands on the corner of Butter Market (the street, rather than the nearby shopping/leisure centre) and St Stephens Lane. The earliest reference to the Ancient House can be found in the 15th (some say the 14th) century, when it was owned by the knight, Sir Richard of Martlesham.

In the late 1970s, the Ancient House was in an extremely poor state of repair and close to collapse. We owe the survival of the Ancient House pargeting and carved oak beams and posts to the fact that the house was in the possession of one family for such a long period and that Ipswich Borough Council purchased it and conducted an extensive renovation. This project was not without its problems: the foundations had sunk, but the heavy fireplaces had sunk at a different rate. Over 260 tonnes of concrete was used in the foundations, and 11 tonnes of steel were used overall. In addition to this, woodworm and dry and wet rot had set in, and the deathwatch beetle was rife.

Renovation began in 1984, and no part of the building was untouched. Foundations were underpinned, the rot & infestations were eradicated, floors were strengthened, plasterwork pargeting was restored, windows were releaded and features were exposed.

Come in and tour the building and have a chat with Ipswich Society Members – please note that the the cellars will NOT be open or part of tours