Title: The Willis Building in Ipswich - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [The Willis Building Hotels](https://expedia.ca/The-Willis-Building-Hotels.0-l553248621561946234-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Ipswich](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Ipswich.d7912.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Ipswich](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Ipswich.d7912.Travel-Guide-Activities)[The Willis Building Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-The-Willis-Building.d553248621561946234.Car-Rental-Guide)[Ipswich Vacation Packages](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich.d7912.Destination-Travel-Guides) # The Willis Building Tours and Activities ![The Willis Building](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946234/2616e440-8bc0-4757-9805-7bc7276bc292.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![The Willis Building](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946234/2616e440-8bc0-4757-9805-7bc7276bc292.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![The Willis Building](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946234/7d5dd4e6-c121-4efb-b234-cfaf67c2c7c3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![The Willis Building](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946234/1c81684a-36e5-4533-98a8-3b458327de8a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![The Willis Building](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946234/3df8c7d6-20e2-4d49-b9d7-a8f57fc45a53.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit The Willis Building Activities [Ipswich travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich.dx7912) --- --- #### The design of this modern office building follows the curvature of medieval streets. Take a guided tour during Ipswich Heritage Open Days. The Willis Building is a commercial building with an innovative and energy-conscious functionality. Inaugurated in 1975, it was designed by the acclaimed architecture team Foster + Partners and is one of the earliest completed works by Norman Foster. The Willis Building has won numerous awards and is a recent addition to the National Heritage List of England. Marvel at the glass-paneled façade and enjoy panoramic views from the rooftop garden. An impressive 890 panels of tinted glass, each measuring 21.5 square feet (2 square meters), were used to create the exterior walls. By day the panels seem opaque and show reflections of nearby buildings. At night, when the lights are switched on, inside offices are quite visible. The low-rise, three-level structure mimics the height of the surrounding buildings. Notice the façade’s lack of right angles and how the walls flow to resemble the pattern of the area’s medieval streets. The interior has a deep plan design, which means that the horizontal space from the outer wall is considerably larger than the height between the floors. Note that real grass covers a large portion of the roof, which is enclosed by an additional 180 glass panels. These aspects ensure superb thermal functionality and lower energy consumption. One curious feature is a disused and covered swimming pool, installed as a leisure facility for employees. Although the building is closed to the general public, it’s possible to take a guided tour during September’s Ipswich Heritage Open Days. You’ll get to visit an office floor, see the swimming pool and walk on the rooftop. Look out from the rooftop for views in all directions over the town’s historic district. Walk to the Willis Building from the town center. Several public bus lines also stop outside. The Cardinal Wolsey Statue and Portman Road soccer stadium are among other nearby attractions. Use the metered parking available at Buttermarket Shopping Centre. ## Plan a trip to see The Willis Building Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices. ![Stansted Airport Lodge](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2380000/2370600/2370583/72639db8_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### Stansted Airport Lodge CA $948 per person May 6 - May 11 found 15 hours ago Roundtrip flight included Toronto (YYZ) to London (STN) 6.2/10 (445 reviews) It was difficult to spot arriving in the dark. It was an impersonal stay. Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025 ![The Great Hallingbury Manor](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2130000/2123900/2123886/41d2b85e_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### The Great Hallingbury Manor CA $2,219 per person Mar 15 - Mar 21 found 1 day ago Roundtrip flight included Halifax (YHZ) to London (STN) 7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews) Everything was good. Reception staff very helpful and Reviewed on Feb 4, 2026 ![White house](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/112000000/111340000/111336000/111335972/264a0599_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) ### White house CA $974 per person Apr 21 - Apr 24 found 1 day ago Roundtrip non-stop flight included Toronto (YTO) to London (STN) 6.8/10 (3 reviews) ### Popular places to visit ![Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Statue which includes religious aspects and a statue or sculpture](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946232/216dc850-1dac-4dee-b34a-5effdf7ab8b8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Statue This modest bronze statue honors a locally born statesman who is notable for being the former alms-giver for King Henry VIII. [](https://expedia.ca/Cardinal-Thomas-Wolsey-Statue-Ipswich.d553248621561946232.Vacation-Attraction) ![#lksawaydays recently watched Reading play against Ipswich Town at Portman Road Stadium](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/7912/2782cbc0-4f05-4979-b2ae-44b85f40bb38.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Portman Road 4/5(1 review) Catch an event at Portman Road during your trip to Ipswich. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the lively bars while you're in the area. [](https://expedia.ca/Portman-Road-Ipswich.d6094535.Vacation-Attraction) ![Ancient House](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946253/206c1662-44a6-4225-873e-67f151085397.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Ancient House Ornamental plasterwork and a well-preserved interior decorate this large building that was a family home in the medieval era and now serves as a shop. [](https://expedia.ca/Ancient-House-Ipswich.d553248621561946253.Vacation-Attraction) ![Wolsey\'s Gate showing heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946223/26f6b5e7-3cf0-4fb5-9ed0-7f06fd0e6593.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Wolsey's Gate Founded by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in the 16th century, a short-lived elite school has this portal as its only surviving feature. [](https://expedia.ca/Wolseys-Gate-Ipswich.d553248621561946223.Vacation-Attraction) ![St Mary-le-Tower showing heritage architecture, a cemetery and a church or cathedral](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946258/c24e231d-0d3d-4499-a3fd-4c3ad440b724.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Ipswich Minster Decorative floor tiles, a soaring spire and Victorian-era stained-glass windows are striking features of this church with 900 years of history. [](https://expedia.ca/St-Mary-Le-Tower-Ipswich.d553248621561946258.Vacation-Attraction) ![Blackfriars showing signage and building ruins](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621561946242/77a57832-6322-46ca-b40e-096c37ab571f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Blackfriars A mishmash of architectural styles and varied dining options fill this district that cuts through the site of a former Dominican friary. [](https://expedia.ca/Blackfriars-Ipswich.d553248621561946242.Vacation-Attraction) --- ## Best Lodging Options Near The Willis Building ## Check availability on hotels close to The Willis Building [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946234&startDate=2026-02-13&endDate=2026-02-14)[Feb 13 - Feb 14](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946234&startDate=2026-02-13&endDate=2026-02-14) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946234&startDate=2026-02-14&endDate=2026-02-15)[Feb 14 - Feb 15](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946234&startDate=2026-02-14&endDate=2026-02-15) [This weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946234&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026)[Feb 13 - Feb 15](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621561946234&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026) ![B&B HOTEL Ipswich](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2650000/2647000/2646964/b5c9933b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### B&B HOTEL Ipswich Ranelagh Road Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Pentahotel-Ipswich.h2646964.Hotel-Information) ![Novotel Ipswich](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/530000/525200/525180/ec405827_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Novotel Ipswich Greyfriars Road Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Novotel-Ipswich.h525180.Hotel-Information) ![easyHotel Ipswich](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31360000/31359700/31359610/b769eef2_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### easyHotel Ipswich 3-5 Northgate Street Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-EasyHotel-Ipswich.h31359610.Hotel-Information) ![Mermaid, Ipswich by Marston's Inns](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/32000000/31890000/31883500/31883430/04dd1669_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Mermaid, Ipswich by Marston's Inns Yarmouth Road Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Mermaid.h31883430.Hotel-Information) ![Bridge Guest House](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/5000000/4870000/4869800/4869737/ce4b60c9_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Bridge Guest House 4-6 Ancaster Road Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Bridge-Guest-House.h4869737.Hotel-Information) ![Salthouse Harbour Hotel](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/1000000/980000/976300/976277/ee6f2cca_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Salthouse Harbour Hotel 1 Neptune Quay Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Salthouse-Harbour-Hotel.h976277.Hotel-Information) ![luxurious stay in this premium fully equipped 1 bedroom flat in central Ipswich.](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/114000000/113730000/113723900/113723812/c773377b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### luxurious stay in this premium fully equipped 1 bedroom flat in central Ipswich. Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Luxurious-Stay-In-This-Premium-Fully-Equipped-1-Bedroom-Flat-In-Central-Ipswich.h113723812.Hotel-Information) ![Host & Stay | Maple Court](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/113000000/112430000/112423600/112423587/311e9377_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Host & Stay | Maple Court Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Host-Stay-Maple-Court.h112423587.Hotel-Information) ![Host Stay Maple Court](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/112000000/111470000/111469400/111469353/49aebe8e_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Host Stay Maple Court Ipswich England [](https://expedia.ca/Ipswich-Hotels-Host-Stay-Maple-Court.h111469353.Hotel-Information) [See all 777 properties in The Willis Building](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=553248621561946234) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply. ![](https://forever.travel-assets.com/flex/flexmanager/images/2026/02/06/expedia-sale-2026-desktop-us-ca.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1400&h=600&q=mediumHigh) ## The Annual Vacation Sale Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save. [Book now](https://expedia.ca/deals?rfrr=DX_POI_Spring_PROMO_553248621561946234)