IPSWICH THINGS TO DO

St Margaret’s Church for Heritage Open Days

St Margaret’s Church, Ipswich

Information - St Margaret’s Church for Heritage Open Days

For over 700 years, St Margaret’s has been at the heart of Ipswich. See our magnificent 15th century roof and our 21st century bellringing gallery. Self-guide with a leaflet (including one for children) and see our exhibit of the roof carvings.

Dating from around 1300, with major additions in the C15th and further embellishments throughout succeeding centuries, St Margaret’s amply justifies its Grade I listed status. Still in active use as a parish church, St Margaret’s encapsulates the architectural, social, religious and political doctrines and events of its 700-year history. The chief glory of the church is the late C15th, double hammer-beam nave roof. Some of its most decorative features were destroyed by radical puritans in 1643, but 50 years later the ceiling was covered with painted panels to celebrate the reign of William and Mary and with shields of the leading families of the parish. Other delights include a C13th coffin lid, fine stone carving and window tracery, decorated timber pew-ends and numerous memorials, especially to the Withipoll and Fonnereau families of Christchurch Mansion. A major refurbishment of the bells was completed in 2019, together with a new bell ringing gallery and improvements to the visitor facilities. In 2025 self-guiding leaflets are available for both adults and children, whilst tour guides will be on hand to answer any questions. There will be an exhibition of close up photos of the medieval carvings in the window spandrels.