Interactive clay attraction on Ipswich Waterfront aims to draw 60,000 visitors annually
Plans for a new visitor attraction in Ipswich's Waterfront House will offer hands-on exhibits exploring how clay shapes homes and culture worldwide.
Why it matters: The project will create 13 new jobs and aims to strengthen Ipswich's cultural offering while bringing a vacant historic building back into public use.
The big picture: Baylight Properties, the new owners of Waterfront House, have submitted plans to create 'At Home With Clay' in the former grain warehouse on Wherry Quay.
By the numbers:
- 60,000 targeted annual visitors
- 1,220 square metres of exhibition space
- 13 direct new jobs created
The details: Plans show:
- A foyer with workshop space and atrium on the ground and first floors
- Exhibition spaces across five floors
- A dedicated area for hands-on clay activities
- A viewing balcony overlooking the waterfront
What they're saying: Planning documents state visitors will be "taken on an interactive journey to discover clay all around us, in bricks and pipes, cooking pots and crockery."
For context: Built in 1901 as a grain store by R&W Paul Ltd, the seven-storey brick building has previously served as an exhibition space and offices. It sits within the Ipswich Central Conservation Area.
Going deeper: Public consultation showed strong support for the project:
- 98% want more visitor attractions on the waterfront
- 94% agree it's an appropriate new use for the building
- 92% believe it will encourage more visitors to Ipswich
The bottom line: If approved, the attraction would operate six days a week during main season, with reduced opening hours in winter, aiming to become a significant addition to Ipswich's cultural landscape.
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