Discover Gipping

Three distinct themes take centre stage in Gipping: the Chapel of St Nicholas, the history of Gipping Hall and the River Gipping. They span a building from the late 15th century, the site of a hall that no longer exists, and the river’s source streams and historic navigation. This allows the place to be explored through the perspectives of religious architecture, local history and river history.

The Chapel of St Nicholas

The Chapel of St Nicholas was built between about 1474 and 1480 as a private chapel for Sir James Tyrell of Gipping Hall. Its function and its connection to a specific patron give the building a historical context. The date range of about 1474 to 1480 describes a building period, not a single precisely established construction date; it places the chapel in the second half of the 15th century. Today, the chapel is open to visitors daily. Check the visiting arrangements before travelling so you can plan your visit according to the latest arrangements.

Gipping Hall and its history

Gipping Hall itself was demolished around 1860. Its site lies east of Gipping church. The estate was owned by the Tyrell family until the demolition. This makes it possible to distinguish the history of the former hall from that of the chapel: the approximate construction period of 1474 to 1480 refers to the chapel, while the date around 1860 refers to the demolition of Gipping Hall. The two dates concern different buildings and different periods in the history of the place.

Source, river and footpath

The River Gipping crosses the parish of Gipping from southwest to east. A spring also rises in Gipping; its stream is one of the watercourses that flow together to form the River Gipping. The spring, stream and river course are therefore connected, but refer to different parts of the water system. The spring and the river’s direction offer two ways of understanding the landscape: the source of a small watercourse and the route of the river through the parish.

The public footpath Gipping Footpath 003 is listed as a specific route measuring 0.55 km. If you plan to include it in your itinerary, check the current definitive map before setting out if the exact route is important to you.

The River Gipping as a historic waterway

The river’s former use is also part of the local history. Under the Gipping Navigation Act of 1790, the River Gipping was navigable as far as Ipswich. This historic navigability adds another perspective to the description of the source and river course: the river can be viewed both as part of the landscape and in relation to its former role in transport. Together with the history of Gipping Hall and the Chapel of St Nicholas, this offers a view of Gipping through different periods and themes.

Discover more destinations: Kessingland, Henham, Long Melford, Metfield, Hintlesham, Wickham Market, Ufford, Ilketshall Saint Margaret

For the broader travel overview: Suffolk.