ABP has reported a rise in the number of visitors to the Ipswich Wet Dock and Waterfront in 2018, as more tourists visited the Ipswich town thanks to the region’s particularly hot summer.
2018 was a busy year for visiting yachts to the two marinas located at Ipswich Waterfront, which attracted nearly 15,000 visitors to Ipswich, representing a 20% rise in comparison to the numbers recorded in 2017.
The trio of 'trip boat offerings' namely the restaurant boat Allen Gardiner, river trip specialist Orwell Lady and the Thames barges performed 370 cruises over the course of the year. Combined with trip boat visits, the numbers of passengers or visitors to the Waterfront in 2018 totalled some 30,000 visitors.
Other highlights in 2018 included the first Dragon Boat Racing event for many years raising funds for the charity “Fresh Start, new beginnings”, visits by Dutch Tall Ships and annual Ipswich Waterfront Festival. The year also saw a visit by the last remaining Trinity House Light vessel LV18, which performed operational displays of its powerful rotating light.
A further event highlight was the arrival of around 20 Dunkirk ‘Little Ships’ at the Ipswich Haven Marina for a memorial event in May 2018, celebrating their role in transporting thousands of men from the French coast 78 years ago.
Andrew Harston, ABP Short Sea Ports Director, said: “Together with our business partners, we are proud to report that 2018 as a successful and eventful year for the Ipswich Waterfront.”
“We hope that the year ahead will bring even more visitors who will enjoy trips on the beautiful River Orwell and the many bars and restaurants on the Waterfront as well as the many attractions that our historic county town can offer.”