River Gipping Restoration

Often Referred to as the Ipswich to Stowmarket Navigation Restoration
The River Gipping Trust is restoring the towpath and working to restore limited navigation along the river. Canalised in 1793, between Ipswich and Stowmarket in Suffolk, it is 16 miles long with 15 locks. It was John Rennie’s first canal project. Some of the locks and bridges are likely the oldest remaining Rennie designed structures in the world.
This temporary website is being used until the Trust’s main website can be upgraded to include these restoration pages. The Trusts main historic website can be viewed here.

Some of our volunteers work over the past year

Volunteers have been busy over the last 12 months, with official bridge opening, restoring Pipps Ford Lock, clearing fallen trees laying across the river and helping to maintain the footpath alongside the river.

The Trust’s Restoration Work of the Ipswich to Stowmarket Navigation.

Click map to enlarge or Where can I fish map


Past Restoration Work 

Over the years the Trust has done much restoration work


Current Work 

Much work planned this year, click to see list of work completed and planned 


Future Restoration  Work

Details of the Trust’s Footpath and River Restoration plans


With Restoration comes, Well-Being, Biodiversity and Heritage 

 The Trusts 104 page history book can be purchased on line and locally
The Trust aim to Restore navigation and the towpath to aid well-being, increase biodiversitypreserve its heritage and improve Leisure activities.
The river is rich in History. Romans, Vikings, John Rennie, Gun Cotton, Fertiliser, Lawnmowers & more. Restoration will help tell the story of the rivers historical past
Restoration will return the river to public view. Grater access and use will greatly enhance appreciation of this waterway as part of our local heritage. The opportunity to make improvements along the course of the River Gipping will enhance biodiversity and provide a beautiful and natural place to take exercise and enjoy leisure pursuits. At present the river in parts is sadly neglected, structures, some listed, are becoming derelict. However in other parts of the country, waterway restoration is cherished and valued as environmental amenity which provide positive leisure experiences.
The River Gipping Trust is committed to bringing restoration to fruition.

About the River Gipping Trust

REGISTERED IN ENGLAND NO. 6145692
REGISTERED AS A CHARITY NO. 1119586

Postal Address

c/o Needham Market Town Council

Council Offices, School Street

Needham Market. IP6 8BB