Home Gallery Model yacht racing Yarns Thirst Aid Marinas Contact Us Links

Ipswich

The historic Wet Dock in the heart of Ipswich is being transformed into a mecca for boating enthusiasts and trendy city dwellers. Two marinas have been created and old warehouses have been demolished to make way for high rise apartments, a hotel and bars.
But venture away from the waterfront area and you will find some great old city pubs and a range of excellent eating places, including the super Dhaka Indian restaurant that serves what staff describe as 'one of the hottest curries on the planet', a dish considered so fiery that it might be worth having the fire brigade on stand-by.
A skipper pal, who says he normally can handle a Phall with ease, went as red as a port hand buoy and steamed and spluttered into his pint of Cobra after trying just one mouthful of Calcutta Curry for the first time a few years ago. He has steered well clear of the dish ever since.
On our last trip to Ipswich we were serenaded by a charming lock-keeper who sang what seemed to be a full version of Messing about on the River over the Tannoy system as we waited to pass through the entrance lock.

Tower cranes mark the spot where new developments are going up at the north-west end of the Wet Dock

The office and ablutions block at Ipswich Haven Marina.. The loos and showers here are superb

Wet Dock entrance lock: The lock staff are well-known for their witty instructions to crews and even a singsong

A replica of the Discovery, which sailed to the New World in 1607, nestles among luxury vessels