The Visitor Centre was created as part of the £4.2m Heritage Lottery Fund refurbishment of Christchurch Park and was completed in 2008. Designed to be particularly “eco-friendly”, it won an Ipswich Society award and is named after Reg Driver, the first Chairman of the Friends of Christchurch Park. the Park Manager is based in the Centre, and receptionists are available throughout the day to answer enquiries and assist with any problems you may have (telephone 01473 433980).

The Centre’s large meeting room usually has interesting displays of relevance to the Park, and is available to hire for meetings and events. Money raised helps to finance projects within the Park. For further information, please contact the Park Manager (01473 252473) or the Receptionists (telephone number above).

There is an exhibition looking at the history of the Cobbold family in Ipswich and the enduring story of Margaret Catchpole is available for viewing (free of charge). The display includes hundreds of illustrations, and is interesting to followers of the Margaret Catchpole story and students of local history, particularly those attracted by the Cobbold family’s involvement in the brewery, the Park and Ipswich Town FC. The display may occasionally be unavailable, so if you are making a special visit, please telephone in advance.

You can find toilet facilities in the Centre, including a baby changing area.

The Centre is open to the public from 10.00 until 16.00, seven days a week all year round, except on Bank Holidays (including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day). In the summer months, from 1st May until 31st August, the Centre is open until 17.00, in line with the Park’s later closing times. For more information please click here.

In front of the Reg Driver Centre you will find the Friends’ Notice Board. Here you will find updated information about the Park, posters advertising upcoming events, and Reg’s incomparable Nature Notes (you can also read these online under the Nature menu).