Club History

Archdeacon’s House: The home of the Ipswich & Suffolk Club since 1885

The Ipswich and Suffolk Club was established on Christmas Eve 1885, when the very first meeting of the Ipswich and Suffolk Club Company Limited was presided over by its first Chairman, Spencer Dixon.

Then, as now, the club was housed in the former home of the Archdeacon of Suffolk, an ancient building traced back to the 1500s when monks lived the monastic life within its walls.

For one and a quarter centuries, the club has survived the rigours of everything from wars and recessions, social change and urban development and now is home to around 500 active members.

In 1985, former Chairman Harold Page published a book containing the fascinating history of the club's first 100 years. The book was revised and updated in 2002.