Residents and visitors in Ipswich, Suffolk, can join free guided history tours at Christchurch Mansion starting March 1, 2026. The Peep into the Past walks will run until October 31, 2026, giving people a chance to see the building’s historic rooms and learn about its 500-year past.
The 30-minute tours are organised through a partnership between Colchester + Ipswich Museums and the Friends of the Ipswich Museums. Volunteers lead the walks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:00 AM, and on Saturdays and Sundays at either 11:00 AM or 2:00 PM.
Visitors do not need to book a spot in advance and can simply meet the guides in the Great Hall of the mansion. The tours coincide with a national celebration for artist John Constable, which includes a major art exhibition at the site starting March 28, 2026.
According to Ipswich Borough Council, the mansion is currently open five days a week. For visitors who cannot use the stairs to reach the upper floors, the museum provides a filmed version of the tour with captions and British Sign Language on tablets at the front desk.
The mansion was first built in the mid-1500s and has been owned by the town since 1884. These regular tours aim to make it easier for the local community to explore the building and its collections throughout the spring and summer months.
