The Hold
The Hold, a Suffolk County Council service, is located on Ipswich’s Waterfront and is home to the Suffolk Archives and the John Blatchly Local Studies Library, as well as our exhibition gallery, gift shop, café and teaching spaces shared by the University of Suffolk.
Our details
Address: The Hold, 131 Fore Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1LR
Telephone: 01473 296666
Email: archives@suffolk.gov.uk
Click here to visit our Accessibilty page, including information about accessible carpark spaces.
Opening Times
Getting to The Hold
By car
You can view available car parks, including The Hold’s small visitor car park, and find car park tariffs and terms and conditions here – Ipserv.
Please note, The Hold car park is separate to the University of Suffolk car park. You must drive through the university car park towards The Hold and ensure you are in the area marked for The Hold before parking.
Look out for the red and black stag beetle painted on our garden entrance wall, our car park is directly in front this mural.
You will need to purchase a pay and display ticket from The Hold machine or use the RingGo app.
Please try and avoid single occupancy car journeys wherever possible.
Alternative Car Parks
Duke Street, Ipswich, IP3 0AQ
Car Parks | Facilities Management in Ipswich & Suffolk (ipserv.co.uk)
Fore Street short stay car park, Star Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1JZ
Fore Street car park | Ipswich Borough Council
Slade Street car park, 47 Key St, Ipswich IP4 1BZ
Slade Street, IP4 1BZ, 8000 | Parkonomy
By foot
The Hold is a 10-15 minute walk from Ipswich town centre. Cycle parking is available on site.
By bus
The nearest bus stop is on Grimwade Street, which is served by buses 1, 2, 3, 4, 60, 60A, 60E, and HK616.
Old Cattle Market and Tower Ramparts, Ipswich’s main bus stations, are 12 and 16 minutes’ walk to The Hold respectively.
The Martlesham Park and Ride now stops at the University of Suffolk car park just behind The Hold. The London Road Park and Ride stops on Grimwade Street, just minutes from The Hold. Please visit www.suffolkonboard.com for full details of bus services and any current changes.
By train
The Hold is a one mile walk from Ipswich Station, following these directions:
After exiting the train station, follow Prince’s Street over the bridge;Turn right onto Commercial Road, which merges with Grafton Way;Cross the road at Bridge Street and go straight on, onto St Peter’s Dock;Leave St Peter’s Dock and walk straight on along the waterfront until you reach the University of Suffolk’s Waterfront Building;Turn left and cross the road, and you will be directly in front of The Hold.
Encouraging sustainable travel
We are keen to encourage our staff, volunteers and visitors to use sustainable travel to reach us wherever possible. As well being better for our environment, it is also often better for our health and wellbeing.