Local Area
For those who may be new to the Suffolk and North Essex area, the SNEJLD committee would like to introduce you to your new home! Although the two major towns, and therefore the focus of our guide, are Ipswich and Colchester, there are many regional firms based in smaller outlying towns and villages. The SNEJLD hopes to encourage participation from trainees located in all areas so, if this is you, please get in touch and get involved!
Ipswich and the Surrounding Area
Ipswich is located in the heart of sunny Suffolk, here are some of the ways you can enjoy yourself in Ipswich and the surrounding area:
Ipswich town centre now boasts most of the high street shops and has recently opened several boutiques. At night the town is full of restaurants offering a variety of different cuisines. For a budget night out with friends try Mizu noodle bar, located next to the Golden Lion pub and the Town Hall. There are also plenty of bars for an after dinner drink. Tonic, Keos and Churches are nice for a classy drink with friends, Cock and Pie is great for those who like a bit of Indie, Old Rep for those who want to relive the Uni days and go back to the old school, and head to New York Exchange Bar if you fancy sipping some cocktails whilst letting the DJ’s set get you in the mood for some boogying on down! Pals, Fire & Ice and Liquid/Envy are all just a walk away if you fancy carrying on the night. Liquid/Envy is free before 11pm on a Friday (10.30pm on a Saturday) and tickets are given out at certain bars. Ice bar also give out wrist bands on the weekends. The wrist bands are free with a drink purchase and mean that drinks are cheap all night. The earlier you get the wrist band, the cheaper they are and you can come and go as you please throughout the night!
The town also has a leisure centre, several theatres, multi screen cinema, ten pin bowling, laser quest, roller skating, and more! Suffolk is even following in the footsteps of Glastonbury, holding its own 4 day festival ‘Latitude’ with the likes of Arcade Fire, Jarvis Cocker and Damien Rice on the line up!
If the weather is nice, the beaches of the Suffolk Heritage Coast are also only a car journey away, and can be combined with a trip to Suffolk’s theme park Pleasurewood Hills. Or, if you don’t fancy a drive, head to Christchurch Park, located in the centre of Ipswich, for one of the Ipswich Arts Festival events.
Colchester and the Surrounding Area
Colchester is Britain's oldest recorded town. It is steeped in history and boasts such attractions as Colchester Castle, Colchester Zoo, the Minories Art Gallery, the Hollytrees Museum, heck, we even have a clock museum!
For the evenings, try an orchestral concert at Charter Hall or comedy at the Colchester Arts Centre. For a night of drama try The Mercury, Headgate or Lakeside Theatres. Themed walking tours or the open top bus provide more unusual ways to explore the town.
Colchester has an array of restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs to suit any taste. For those who like it hot try Mirchi Rasoi Indian restaurant on North Station Road. The Lemon Tree is a great venue for that quite intimate meal and they have themed events, such as jazz and piano evenings. A favourite for those wanting a mix of fine Thai food and exotic atmosphere, is the Silk Road Lounge and Cocktail bar on St Botolphs Street. Of course you can always fall back on the usual chain restaurants, ASK, Prezzo, Pizza Express, La Tasca, to name but a few.
You are never far from a bar or pub in Colchester. Good choices would include Ha Ha, which is relaxed and does some great platters, V Bar, for a great range of cocktails, After Office Hours, for a little bit more sophistication, The Marquis, for traditional public house and Quilters for the quiet after work drink. Clubs in Colchester include the Hippodrome, Route and the Arts Centre.
Go a little bit further afield and discover the quaint waterfront towns of Wivenhoe and West Mersea. Visit Manningtree, England’s smallest town and Maldon famous for its culinary sea salt and Thames Barges or Tiptree where they make the jam! Or head to the beach at the seaside resorts of the Tendring peninsula. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in Frinton on Sea, stroll along the promenade to Walton-on-the-Naze or visit bustling Clacton-on-Sea with its pier and attractions.