Do you want to combine countryside living with an easy rail commute into Ipswich? Try Needham Market, a traditional old market town that’s close to Mid Suffolk’s larger centres. It’s big enough to have all those essential amenities, but has kept its genuine community feel. Best of all, you’re surrounded by simply beautiful scenery.
A stroll along the Gipping Valley river path is one of the nicest ways to spend a sunny Sunday in Suffolk. The River Gipping flows through Needham Lake and nature reserve, a favourite local beauty spot that’s just next to our St George’s Park development.
You’ll find everything you need in Needham Market, from supermarkets to a medical centre. The town centre has a good selection of independent shops and places to eat – and if you’re in need of a larger shopping hub, you’re just a 12-minute train ride from Ipswich.
The charming blend of architectural styles in Needham Market tells of the town’s long history, starting out as a medieval market town and becoming an important wool combing centre. Badly affected by the bubonic plague in the 17th-century, Needham Market struggled until the canal and later the railway were constructed during the Industrial Revolution and it became a thriving hub once more.
As you browse the town’s welcoming independent shops, look out for fascinating old buildings like Limes Hotel, which dates back to 1500, and the Italianate-style Victorian town hall. Explore the medieval parish church and pause to admire Hawk’s Mill, a former water-powered corn mill built on an integral bridge. More recent buildings in the town centre are signs of the WWII bombing raids that hit Suffolk badly.
Today’s Needham Market is a vibrant town with excellent everyday facilities including a post office, a medical centre, a gym and a library. The football club is at the heart of the town’s sporting activities, and there’s a choice of other sports and clubs.
On a sunny day, head for Needham Lake and nature reserve. There are hard-surfaced paths and picnic areas, as well as play areas and fun touches like stepping stones. Entertainment is provided by the lake’s many ducks, geese and swans. Walk along the River Gipping to the shop and cafe at Alder Carr Farm – your chance to sample Suffolk’s wonderful produce (and their own award-winning ice cream). You can also explore the nature reserves at Combs Wood and Church Meadow.
Look out for sports clubs and events at the Coddenham Centre (a ten-minute drive), and of course, with the bars, restaurants and theatres of Ipswich just a short journey away, there’s plenty of evening entertainment on your doorstep. Nearby Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds are lovely places for a day out (and again, are great places to pick up local produce).
It’s a short drive down the A14 to Ipswich (about 20 minutes) and it’s just a bit further to Bury St Edmunds. Stowmarket with its bustling town centre is ten minutes away by car. If you need some vitamin sea, Victorian resort Aldeburgh is just under 30 miles away, while the Port of Felixstowe is a half hour drive – handy for holidays.
There’s a regular railway service between Needham Market and Ipswich with a speedy journey time of only 12 minutes, and the train to Bury St Edmunds takes just under half an hour. The straight-through service to Cambridge takes an hour and a quarter, and from there, you can catch a train to London (various stations).
Parents will be pleased to hear that Needham Market has its own primary school, Bosmere Community, and there’s a good choice of nurseries in the area. Older pupils can attend Stowmarket High School, Claydon High School or Stowupland High School, which also has a sixth form. There are universities in Ipswich and of course, Cambridge.
Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm is the place for young families! The combination of cute animals, an idyllic rural setting and play areas is simply perfect, and the home-baking is (literally) the icing on the cake. Even better, it’s less than ten minutes away from Needham Market.
For more animal activities, try Jimmy’s Farm near Ipswich or take a stroll with the gorgeous Hilly Ridge Alpacas in Wattisham. Make yourselves feel hungry at Stowmarket’s excellent Food Museum or dress up as an Anglo Saxon family at West Stow Country Park & Anglo Saxon Village.
Are you thinking of moving to Needham Market? St George’s Park is an award-winning development close to the lake on the edge of Needham Market, carefully designed to complement the local architecture and beautiful Suffolk landscape.
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