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Getting Here

Ipswich Museum is situated on the old Ipswich High Street (which is not where all the shops are today). It is on a slight hill and the road outside has pavement on either side. Click here to see a map of Ipswich.

If you are travelling by car, please use IP1 3QH for sat navs. The closest car park is Crown Car Park (IP1 3HS), where Blue badge holders can park for free for up to 3 hours. For further information, please visit the Blue Badge Parking pages of the Ipswich Borough Council website.

If you are travelling by taxi, you could be dropped off outside the Museum, but please note there is not a dropped curb. Details of wheelchair accessible taxi’s can be found here.

Please note we are closed on Mondays.

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When You Arrive

During visiting hours, the large, black double doors are held open. The entrance is through a set of glass double doors, which a member of staff can help you with with.

You will be greeted by uniformed staff at our welcome desk.

If staff are already serving another visitor, you may have to wait a short while to be served. If you are accompanied by someone who finds queuing difficult, please let us know and we will do our best to prioritise you.

One of the first spaces you might encounter is the Victorian Natural History Gallery. It is a darker room than reception with lots of taxidermy animals, including a very large (and friendly) woolly mammoth near the entrance. Some visitors may find this room overwhelming.

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Quieter times

The Museum can be busy at weekends and during school holidays. It is typically quieter in the afternoons, particularly after 3pm on weekdays once school groups have left for the day.

The Victorian Natural History Gallery is a large open space, which the first floor gallery surrounds. The sound of other visitors may be louder here.

If you or a member of your group require a quiet space during your visit, we have a room on the ground floor that is available on request. Please speak to our Visitor Services team and they will be happy to assist you.

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Getting around

The entrance to the Museum is paved. Once you are inside, the gallery floors are carpeted and flat. 

The galleries are spread across two floors, with the option of a step free route. There are ramped walkways at various points throughout the building.

An enclosed lift is situated just outside the Geology Gallery.

Some of our displays are spot lit, while other areas, such as the Egyptian Gallery, might appear quite dark.

Toilets

Ipswich Museum has a male and female toilet to the right as you enter the building. We also have an accessible toilet to the left. 

The accessible toilet includes baby changing facilities.

Ipswich Museums does not have a Changing Places facility. The nearest can be found at Sailmakers Shopping Centre cafe (0.3 miles/ 6 minute walk) or Punch Studios (0.4 miles/ 9 minute walk). A full list of Changing Places Toilets is available on the Changing Places website.

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Care

Assistance dogs are welcome.

Ipswich Museum does not have a cafe and food is not permitted. Drinks are available from a vending machine in reception. Alternatively, if you have a refillable bottle, our team are happy to top it up with tap water.

We welcome breastfeeding.

If you or a member of your group require medical attention whilst at the Museum, please alert our Visitor Services team and they will contact the emergency services.

The nearest defibrillator is located in the square in Ipswich town centre, opposite the Town Hall.

Hand sanitiser is available.

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Contact Us

We want all our visitors to have the best possible experience. If you’re planning to visit Ipswich Museum and have any questions or concerns, our team are more than happy to help. You can contact us on:

Tel: 01473 433551

e: museums@colchester.gov.uk