Holywells Park (FoHP) 2026 Events
Keep an eye on the notice boards in the park or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more event information . You can also contact Park Reception on 01473 433990
Visiting Holywells Park – Buses & Parking information
FoHP = Friends of Holywells Park events. For FoHP info & meeting dates click here
SWT = Suffolk Wildlife Trust events. For further information on SWT events, contact 01473 890089 or visit suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events
Please note that all FoHP events are cash only – we cannot accept credit or debit card payments.
2026 is both the 25th anniversary of the founding of The Friends of Holywells Park (FoHP) and the 90th anniversary of the opening of Holywells Park as a public park by Ipswich Corporation. We are hoping to have an event to celebrate these two facts – watch this space!
Wassail – 10 January 2026, 14:00.
14:00 – The Walled Garden and Orchard in Holywells Park – see poster here
Wild in the Orchard – Every FRIDAY starting 27 March 2026
Meeting at 10:00am at Bishop’s Cafe – pdf details
Friends of Holywells Park 25th Anniversary, 2001-2026, ‘Scarecrow picnic’ – 25 April 2026
11:00 – 14:00 in the orchard for a Scarecrow and Blossom Tea Party.
See PDF here for more details
Mozart Mass in C Minor (local event) – 25 April 2026
7:30pm, St. John the Baptist Church, Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich IP4 4QE – PDF here
25th & 90th Anniversaries – 4 July 2026
25th Anniversary of Friends of Holywells Park and 90th Anniversary of Holywells Park opens to the public.
Tea and Cakes, Live music, children’s games, Ice Cream, Hog Roast – see PDF poster here
Open Orchard Picnic – 29 July & 26 August 2026
11:00 – 14:00 in the orchard – see PDF poster here
Seeds of Hope & Action Exhibition Opening event – 22 September 2026, 6pm
Dance East, Ipswich IP41DW – Poster (PDF)
Apple Day – 17 October 2026
11:00 – 14:00 in the orchard.
Join us in the orchard for homemade soups, cakes, apple fritters and other apple products, plus lots more – see PDF for details
Christmas Reindeer Workshop – 12 & 13 December 2026
10:00 – 14:00 outside the Stable Block. FoHP and Ipswich Wildlife Group
Wassail – 9 January 2027
14:00 The Walled Garden and Orchard in Holywells Park
Suffolk Wildlife Trust in Holywells Park Sessions
For Suffolk Wildlife Trust Ipswich sessions please see their website here
FoHP Committee Meetings
Meetings will generally be held in the Stable Block, Holywells Park. In suitable weather the Conservatory may be used. Committee meetings start at 19:00 (7pm). Meetings are 6 weeks apart, except where noted.
13th January 2026
24th February 2026
14th April 2026
19th May 2026
30th June 2026
AGM: 8th September 2026 AGM immediately followed by a Committee meeting
20th October 2026
1st December 2026
12th January 2027
Visiting Holywells Park
Buses
The park is about 10 minutes walk from Ipswich Central which is served by numerous buses. There are also bus routes that pass directly by the park. Finf more Information on Ipswich buses at www.ipswichbuses.co.uk
Bishops Hill
Route 3
Nacton Road aka Allen Lane
Route 3
Cliff Lane (by Margaret Catchpole)
Route 2
Cliff Lane (Kissing Gate entrance, near junction with Holywells Rd. and Landseer Rd.)
Routes 1, 2
Myrtle Road
Use Cliff Lane (Kissing Gate) routes and walk up from stop near Myrtle Road roundabout, or use Bishops Hill routes, take Cavendish St. stop. Walk short distance up Bishops Hill, then right in to Myrtle Road.
There are bus routes which serve nearby Ipswich town centre, consult First Bus Norfolk & Suffolk at www.firstgroup.com/
Parking
The car park at the Cliff Lane entrance can only be used by blue badge holders.
Visitors are advised to use public transport or the car parks near the Waterfront/University of Suffolk which are only a few minutes walk from the Myrtle Road entrance to the park.
Parking
The car park at the Cliff Lane entrance can only be used by blue badge holders.
Visitors are advised to use public transport or the car park at Athena Hall off Duke Street, which is only a few minutes walk from the Myrtle Road and Cliff Lane entrances to the park. It is open from 8am to midnight.
Past Events 2025
Reindeer Workshop – Ipswich Wildlife Group
Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th December 10am-3pm
£6 each (or with coat & scarf extra £1) – Raffle for large reindeer – details here
Wassail – 5 January 2025, 2pm.
The Walled Garden and Orchard in Holywells Park – see poster here
Open Orchard Picnic Days 2025
These have been planned for the following dates:
9th April 2025, 11am – 2pm
16th April 2025, 11am -2 pm
11th May 2025, APPLE BLOSSOM DAY, 11am – 2pm. Details here (PDF)
OPEN ORCHARD – Children’s Summer Fun:
30th July 2025, 11am – 3pm. Details here (PDF)
20th August 2025, 11am – 3pm. Details here (PDF)
AGM 4th September 2025
Friends of Holywells Park – AGM Minutes 2024-09-05 (PDF)
Friends of Holywells Park – AGM 2025-09-04 AGM Agenda (PDF)
Minutes of AGM 2025 (PDF)
Apple Day – 18th October 2025 11am – 2pm.
The Orchard in Holywells Park – Follow the signs on the day to the Orchard. There will be:
Storytelling
Children’s Activities
Freshly Pressed Apple Juice
Build a wildlife box
Seasonal Refreshments
Poster (PDF)
Past Events 2023/24
Open Orchard Picnic Days 2024
These have been planned for the following dates:
3rd April 2024 – CANCELLED due to wet, slippery conditions in the orchard
10th April 2024 – CANCELLED due to wet, slippery conditions in the orchard
31st July 2024
28th August 2024
Apple Day – 12th October 2024 11am – 2pm.
The Orchard in Holywells Park – Follow the signs on the day to the Orchard. There will be:
Storytelling
Children’s Activities
Freshly Pressed Apple Juice
Holywells Honey
Seasonal Refreshments
See the event poster here (PDF)
Past Events 2022/23
Open Orchard 2nd August – Event details PDF
Open Orchard 30th August – Event details PDF
Cobbold Tercentenary (300 yr.) Event – 24 June 2023
Activities include:
- Music by the Silbury Hill duo
- The launch of the new book published by the Cobbold Family History Trust
- A local Morris Dancing group.
- A story teller
- Vehicles from Ipswich Transport Museum
- Model of the Holywells House and a beer ship (Ardella)!
- Food available including a hog roast and vegan/vegetarian option plus some refreshments run by FoHP
- Greener Ipswich stand
- Beer tent
For more details (including poster) click here.
News page – see 7 June 2023 article
Open Orchard / Picnic – 12 April 2023, 11am – 2pm
Come and look around the beautiful orchard and bring your own picnic!
Heritage Open Days – 10th & 11th Sept 2022
Heritage Open Days offer a chance to see inside many historic and interesting Ipswich buildings for FREE! Buildings near Holywells Park include The Hold, Fore Street Baths and St Clement’s Church (the mariners’ church which is being restored for a new community use). St Clement’s Church was also the family church of the influential Cobbold family, who lived at Holywells and ran the Cliff Quay Brewery using spring water from the park. Call in over the weekend. There is also a free concert by the Harmonies, Grace and James Harman at 2pm on Sunday. Catch it if you can.
More information about Ipswich Heritage days can be found here
Holywells Bowling Club – 21st May 2022
Holywells Bowling Club have an open day on 21st May 2022 at 2pm – 4.30pm to help with recruitment. Everyone is welcome to come and have a go at bowling however kids do have to be accompanied by an adult
Cliff Lane Platinum Jubilee Street Party – 5th June 2022 From Noon
Live music, Hog Roast, Children’s fancy dress competition, Stalls and lots of fun and games. Bring your own picnics, tables & chairs.
This event is for the community to celebrate our Queen’s amazing 70 years on the throne.
Guided Bat Walk – Sat, 13 August 2022
Join the Friends of Holywells Park Bat expert for a guided walk on the Park, to find our resident Bat species.
Open Orchard Days – 3 & 24 August, 11am – 2pm
Bring a picnic and enjoy some time in the Holywells Park Orchard.
Events Archive
More past Holywells Park events here