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6 minutes read
22 Mar, 2021
Boating
By Adam CoxBurton Waters Ipswich : Boat Sales and more!
Perhaps you will have read the following words before somewhere: “… there’s more, far more to be seen, and interesting facts to discover. Grab the entire family and plan a day trip to bring them down to see us, our boats, our Marina, and all the sights, shopping and activities on offer in …” Good for you for recognising them, a big pat on the back for you, and a free cup of coffee from us. These words were written a few months ago in one of Burton Waters previous blogs. This current blog is following up on that one, and correcting a slight error of omission. Not only did we fail to mention that Burton Waters has not one but two Marina’s, but we also neglected to highlight the considerable advantages that this offers to you, the boat owner, enthusiast, and prospective owner. In December 2020 we wrote about our Marina in Lincoln, and a range of fun activities, places to visit, and historical landmarks to be enjoyed in the region, over and above the delights to be enjoyed for boat lovers and their families at our Marina. Today we will be sharing the possibly even greater range of pleasures and amusements on offer at our home on the Ipswich Haven Marina.The Burton Waters Ipswich Haven Marina
There are a wide range of facilities available at the Marina itself (see below), to which we add the feature of short term and visitor moorings at well-priced and affordable rates, allowing for weekend visits which are still permissible, providing your strict adherence with the Covid-19 protocols. We can comfortably manage 30 visitors in the dedicated visitor’s berths, there is ample access and manoeuvering space between all the berths, which range up to lengths of 20 metres, and all berths are fully serviced. The Marina attracts around 2,000 visits from yachts annually.
The Ipswich Haven Marina, at the heart of the town, has been open since May 2000 and was officially opened at a ceremony in July 2000 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, a British sailor, famous for being the first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, in 1969. He won the second Jules Verne Trophy, was named the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award, together with sailing partner Sir Peter Blake, and in 2007, at the age of 67, he set a record as the oldest yachtsman to complete a round the world solo voyage in the Velux 5 Oceans Race.
We are situated at the head of the River Orwell, and can be found amidst the historic and regenerated Ipswich Waterfront with its access to superb facilities and amenities. Restaurants, cafes, shopping centres, cinemas, museums, parks and historic buildings are all within a few minutes stroll from the Marina.
Additional facilities include toilets, showers, and disabled toilets and facilities, launderettes, picnic areas with tables, large car parks, excellent all-round security, recycling, refuse, waste oil and battery disposal, storage ashore, diesel and gas sales, an MBT 25 Boat mover, 75 tonne WISE boat hoist, and last but by no means least these days, WiFi.
It goes without saying that contemplating all of the above, and more to come below, the advantages of visiting a Burton Waters Marina far outstrip any thoughts of a visit to an ordinary boat dealership’s shop floor.
And There’s Even More On Offer...
Ipswich, in the county of Suffolk, is the oldest Anglo-Saxon town in England. It was granted a Royal charter in 1200 and has been closely linked with the discovery of the New World and with historical figures such as Cardinal Wolsey and Charles Dickens.Now let us delve into a bit of history of mostly one of these gentlemen, and in case you were wondering, a Royal Charter is an instrument of incorporation, granted by The Queen, which confers independent legal personality on an organisation and defines its objectives, constitution and powers to govern its own affairs. Charles Dickens of course needs no introduction but there is a hidden piece of interest to the fortunes of Cardinal Wolsey.
Thomas Wolsey was an English archbishop, statesman and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. When Henry VIII became King of England in 1509, Wolsey became the King's almoner. Wolsey's affairs prospered, and by 1514 he had become the controlling figure in virtually all matters of state, but then came his downfall. In 1529, he failed to secure an annulment of Henry VIII's first marriage, to Catherine of Aragon, so Wolsey was removed from government and arrested for treason. Clearly Henry was not the sort to be deterred when his mind was set, on Anne Boleyn, as well as needing a son as an heir, and being deeply religious believing that his marriage to Catherine was unlawful in terms of divine law, confirmed by her inability to provide him with a son. Oh yes, Wolsey was born in Ipswich.
As well as Ipswich town being steeped in history, which should find you stopping frequently having seen something interesting, there are a whole plethora of places and venues to visit. We will mention a collection of these below with a very brief description. Should you wish to read more about any of these places there is an excellent website where you can do so – here.
There are many, and well worth your mooring with us for the weekend and enjoying all of these wonderful distractions on offer.
- Wolsey's Gate - A fascinating monument from a demolished Tudor college. Named after Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, it is the final remains of an immense college that was being built, until he fell from favour.
- Salthouse Harbour Hotel – occupying the prime spot on Ipswich’s impressive waterfront with stunning views, this 4-star boutique hotel mixes up the city’s maritime legacy with a unique modern style that succeeds on every level, from its superb location to the classy rooms, restaurant and levels of service.
- Butt and Oyster - one of the best known public houses in Suffolk renowned for its good beer, good food and great views, situated in the hamlet of Pin Mill on the River Orwell. Let the sounds of the Orwell seduce you. Watch the changing tides on traditional timeless shores.
- Allen Gardiner River Cruise Restaurant - offering brunch, lunch, sunset and candlelit dinner cruises along the River Orwell from the Ipswich waterfront, all year round.
- Blackfriars - the ruins of a 13th-16th Century Friary Church are the only substantial remains of a medieval community's foundation in Ipswich.
- Christchurch Mansion - the jewel in the crown of Ipswich's historic past boasting over 500 years of history.
- Clifford Road Air Raid Shelter Museum - hidden beneath a Suffolk school playground, among quiet residential streets, the shelter provides a vivid picture of life during World War Two.
- Cornhill Square - has been at the centre of the town's life since Anglo-Saxon Times, and is the focus of markets, public meetings, fairs and civic ceremonies.
- Forage & Folklore - guided nature walks in the Suffolk Countryside. Learn about identifying edible plants, reading animal tracks, local ecology and old English folklore.
- Harwich Harbour Ferry - foot and bicycle ferry connecting Suffolk and Essex since 1912, where the rivers Stour and Orwell meet.
- Ipswich Museum - this fascinating and unique museum – with free entry - gives you the opportunity to meet the famous Wool-I-AM, the woolly mammoth, Rosie the Rhino, the elegant towering giraffe and other wonderful curiosities from the natural world.
- Ipswich Transport Museum - has the largest collection of transport items in Britain devoted to just one town. Everything was either made or used in and around Ipswich.
- Museum of East Anglian Life - with 17 historic buildings set in 75 acres of beautiful countryside, the Museum of East Anglian Life is the largest independent museum in Suffolk and is an educational charity.
- Nancy Blackett - a familiar sight, sailing on the River Orwell, the favourite yacht of author Arthur Ransome of ‘Swallows and Amazons’ fame.
- Orwell Lady River Cruises - board the Orwell Lady and cruise through the Port of Ipswich, under the Orwell Bridge and out onto the river through areas of outstanding natural beauty and wildlife.
- St Clements Church - built in the 14th and early 15th Centuries, this church was known as the ‘sailors church’, one of at least three magnificent churches to be see, the others being St Bartholomew’s, and St John’s.
- The Giles Statue - also known as 'The Grandma Statue', depicts the popular cartoon family from famous Ipswich-based illustrator Carl Giles, Britain's best loved cartoonist.
