taken on Heritage Open Days in September 2023.
This gallery is linked from our main Ancient
House page.
For many years, it was alsmost impossible to enjoy the interior furnishings and fittings of The Ancient House due to the clutter of products, display cabinets and banners. On the hottest weekend of 2023, we were able to wander very freely around the interior to photograph some of the features.
Fireplace
The ground floor fireplace with its large carved wood surround bears the date and initials of the owner William Sparrow:
All
images 2023
Ipswich window
Views of the Butter Market and of the tower of St Lawrence Church.
Above right: the oculus window at the foot of the stairs up to the upper gallery with a view across St Stephens Lane.
Below: a view of the tucked-away room which was built into the roofspace of the main hall. There are misnomers of 'chapel room' and 'the space where Charles I hid' – both are fanciful. Hammerbeams have to be navigated to get to the far end.
Decorative tiles
Pallas and Mars in large, blue wall-tile sets.
Glimpses of fireplace liner tiles.
Plaques on the main staircase
The modest plaster plaque reads:
Ceiling plasterwork, first floor
Kitchen
Unseen by the public until now, the galley-style kitchen complete with timbered wall.
Return to the main Ancient House page.
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Historic Lettering
©2004 Copyright throughout the Ipswich Historic Lettering site: Borin Van Loon
No reproduction of text or images without express written permission
For many years, it was alsmost impossible to enjoy the interior furnishings and fittings of The Ancient House due to the clutter of products, display cabinets and banners. On the hottest weekend of 2023, we were able to wander very freely around the interior to photograph some of the features.
Fireplace
The ground floor fireplace with its large carved wood surround bears the date and initials of the owner William Sparrow:
'1603 WS'
All
images 2023 Ipswich window
Views of the Butter Market and of the tower of St Lawrence Church.
Above right: the oculus window at the foot of the stairs up to the upper gallery with a view across St Stephens Lane.
Below: a view of the tucked-away room which was built into the roofspace of the main hall. There are misnomers of 'chapel room' and 'the space where Charles I hid' – both are fanciful. Hammerbeams have to be navigated to get to the far end.
Decorative tiles
Pallas and Mars in large, blue wall-tile sets.
Glimpses of fireplace liner tiles.
Plaques on the main staircase
The modest plaster plaque reads:
'ANCIENT HOUSE WAS ACQUIRED
BY IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL
IN 1980
AFTER EXTENSIVE REPAIR
THE BUILDING WAS REOPENED
BY THE MAYOR OF IPSWICH
COUNCILLOR E. GRANT
ON 30 OCTOBER 1985
Architects: Ronald Geary Associates, Engineers: Maddocks Lusher & Matthews, Quantity Surveyors: Caston Palmer & Partners, General Contractor: Sindall Construction Ltd, Clerk of Works: W. Garnham'
BY IPSWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL
IN 1980
AFTER EXTENSIVE REPAIR
THE BUILDING WAS REOPENED
BY THE MAYOR OF IPSWICH
COUNCILLOR E. GRANT
ON 30 OCTOBER 1985
Architects: Ronald Geary Associates, Engineers: Maddocks Lusher & Matthews, Quantity Surveyors: Caston Palmer & Partners, General Contractor: Sindall Construction Ltd, Clerk of Works: W. Garnham'
Ceiling plasterwork, first floor
Kitchen
Unseen by the public until now, the galley-style kitchen complete with timbered wall.
Return to the main Ancient House page.
©2004 Copyright throughout the Ipswich Historic Lettering site: Borin Van Loon
No reproduction of text or images without express written permission