Christchurch Park is one of the best known and much loved Ipswich landmarks, home to a recently refurbished and splendid Mansion house. The park dates back to the Middle ages when it was the site of the Augustine Priory of the Holy trinity. During the reign of Henry 8th, it fell victum to the dissolution of the monasteries following the Kings break from the Roman catholic Church. In 1548 The mansion hose was buit on the site of the ruined Priory by Edmund Withypoll. Over the next 200 hundred years ownership changed hands twice before it was bought by the Fonnereau family. They owned it for nearly 160 years until the family tried to sell it to Ipswich Corporation for £50,000. Local atepayers rebelled against the proposed purchase voting against it in a referendum However in1894 a company was formed to buy the estate and develpe it. One of the promenant members of the company was Felix Cobbold and it was he who presented the mansion to the town in on condition they also bought the rest of the park. The purchase was made in 1895 and later that year all 67 acres were opened to the public. These day the park is used for Carnivals pop and some classical concerts also the scene of a massive fireworks party around November the 5th. Christchurch park is home to the town's war Memorial to local people who fell in the two great wars, there is also a Boer war memorial.