Holywells Park

File:Gainsborough holywells park.jpg

Holywells Park as portrayed by Thomas Gainsborough

Holywells Park is a 67-acre (270,000 m²) public park in Ipswich, England situated between Nacton Road and Cliff Lane, near to Ipswich dock.

Opening Times: Park opens 7.30am Monday – Saturday, Sunday opening 9.00am. The closing times vary with daylight hours - details here

History

The park has a history going back thousands of years. Tools from the stone age have been found, as well as bronze age axes and Roman coins. In the 13th century Holywells was part of the Manor at Bishops Wyke which was held by the Bishops of Norwich. During the reign of Henry VIII. the Manor was returned to the crown and then granted to Sir John Jermy.

The land was bought by John Cobbold in 1812 who brought his wife Elizabeth Cobbold and their large family here to live in 1814.. Cobbold later began using the areas natural springs to produce beer . In 1814 Holywells House was completed on the site of an old farmhouse (this building was demolished in 1962 due to wood rot and only the stable block remains). In 1935 the land at Holywells was presented to the people of Ipswich by Lord Woodbridge and then opened to the public in 1936. Holywells park is now a designated a Conservation Area and is on the English Heritage register of historic parks and gardens of special historic interest

In July 2012, Ipswich Borough Council received a grant of £2.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG) for the Holywells “Parks for People” restoration project. The HLF grant was supplemented by funding from the Friends of Holywells Park and by the Borough Council. The grant was used to improve a range of park facilities and to enable the renovation of the Stable Block, converting it into a vibrant visitor centre and café with an education area and function room. The conservatory was refurbished and turned into a multi-function area that can be used for exhibitions, talks, meetings and other functions. The Stable Block and conservatory are both listed buildings

Holi Festival of Colour, 2nd April 2017

The Park Today & Events

Established in 2001 the Friends of Holywells Park are a very active volunteer group whose aim is to increase the local knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of Holywells Park. The park hosts numerous events throughout the year organised by Friends of Holywells Park, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Borough Council and charitable and private organisations. Popular among the regular events are Family Fun Days (July-August), Practical conservation activities, a bat walk (August), a Cold Fair (January), Holi Festival of Colour (April), The Nearly Music Festival (and other concerts like 'Chopin in the Park'), Tea Dances and many more. The park is frequently used for charity rides, runs and walks. For a summary of past and present events see the Friends of Holywells Park website

Sport & Leisure Within the Park

Play area: In summer 2007 work was completed on a new play area, situated on the site of the old play area. Work was also carried out to remove the paddling pool and in turn making a new stream joining the 3rd pond to the lake at the Holywells road end of the park. The play area for children, incorporates a hi-tech teen play facility, Water play facility (summer only) kiosk, toilets and changing room.

Fitness: there is a fitness‘Trim’ Trail that provides fun and fitness for all levels of physical ability. From simple Balance Beams to the challenge of Pole Climb or Ladder Walk, it tests upper and lower body strength, co-ordination, agility and overall stamina. The many paths in the park are well trodden by joggers and fitness walkers.

Bowling green: home to Holywells Bowling Club.

Visitor centre and café: Open from 10am – 5pm (April to October) and 10am – 4pm (October to March). There are Changing Places facility for profound and multiple disabilities

Victorian Conservatory & outdoor classrooms available for hire

Walled Garden with open air theatre space and maze

Genesis Green Bike Project The Green Bike Project rescues and repairs unwanted bikes - website

Entrances & Parking: There are 4 entrances to the park, they are Cliff Lane, Myrtle Road, Bishop’s Hill and Nacton Road. Blue Badge parking is available at the Cliff Lane entrance and public parking at Athena Hall off Duke Street, IP3 0DT

Wildlife & Ornithology

The park has a variety of different habitats including formal gardens, ponds, fields and woodland, and these support a surprising large number of different species. There are protected bat species like pipistrelle and barbastelle and there is plenty of fallen and standing deadwood which provides homes for stag beetle, five banded weevil-wasp, bee wolf and golden hoverfly. The many ponds attract insects and in turn birds – kingfisher are regularly spotted as are woodpeckers. The Suffolk Wildlife Trust runs free wildlife sessions for schools and the park has an active team of park rangers which encourage young people with a love for nature, to build their practical conservation skills by learning from and working alongside local wildlife experts. For wildlife and tree leaflets visit the FoHP website

Further reading

• Clive Hodges. 2016. 'Holywells, Home of the Cobbolds'. Ivybridge: [The Cobbold Family History Trust].
• Wessex Archeology restoration project