Ornamental plasterwork and a well-preserved interior decorate this large building that was a family home in the medieval era and now serves as a shop.
The Ancient House (Sparrows House) is one of the oldest and most emblematic landmarks of Ipswich. Visit the building to marvel at its sublime pargeting, which is a style of exterior plaster decoration representative of the counties of Suffolk and Essex. Step inside Ancient House to find period furnishings that reveal the wealth of its previous owners.
Records of the house’s history are the subject of dispute, although the earliest mention of a building on this site was in the 14th century. Much of what stands now was erected between the 1560s and 1630s. The home passed between the hands of local merchants before becoming the private residence of the royalist Sparrowe family, who lived here for three centuries. Today visit the retail shop in this historic space.
Outstanding highlights of the façade are the plaster relief designs made in the pargeting style that originated in the Middle Ages. Four main panels depict an artist’s impression of Africa, America, Asia and Europe, which were then the only recognized continents. In the center of the façade is the royal coat of arms of King Charles II. Look for pargeting portrayals of St. George and the Greek god Atlas on a side wall. Delicately carved woodwork frames the windows on the house’s ground floor.
The retail store has been careful to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the house’s rooms. Note the intricate detail of the woodwork that surrounds marble fireplaces and look up to see solid Tudor-era wood beams. One room has interpretive panels that explain part of the history. A ghost reputedly haunts the house ask staff about paranormal events.
Find the house on the pedestrian-only Buttermarket shopping street in Ipswich’s town center. Ipswich Train Station is a 15-minute walk south. If you drive, use the metered car park at Buttermarket Shopping Centre.
To enter Ancient House visit during the shop’s opening hours from Monday to Friday. Otherwise, study and photograph the charming exterior at any time of the day.
