Griff Rhys Jones to celebrate Stoke Bridge Wharf and launch of ‘Dock Stories’

Actor, comedian, and heritage enthusiast Griff Rhys Jones will visit Ipswich on 4 November 2025 to celebrate the launch of a waterfront regeneration project and an exciting new AR experience, delivered by Ipswich Central and local businesses.

Griff got involved in the project when he agreed to provide a voiceover introduction for ‘Dock Stories’, a new location-based AR trail which can be accessed by QR codes on the new signage at Stoke Bridge Wharf, and the All About Ipswich website.  

Funded by the Ipswich Towns Fund, the app reveals the voices, sights, and characters behind one of England’s most historic ports. “It is great to be involved; Ipswich is a fascinating historic port. We all need to have a look around and get to know the story. I’m delighted to be part of it, helping everyone to do just that,” says Griff Rhys Jones.

Griff will be joined at the quayside celebrations by Ipswich locals who have voiced historic characters for the app, whose stories truly celebrate the town’s pioneering spirit. Captains, merchants, sailors, dockers, early photographers, and trail-blazing women – all have left their mark in different ways. As well as uncovering hidden histories, users of the new app will discover waterfront restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops as well as cultural opportunities at Dance East, Sailing Barge Victor, The Hold and the University.

Lee Walker, CEO of Ipswich Central, said: “Stoke Bridge is a key location for the town, an important historic landmark and major point of welcome for visitors to Ipswich. Improvements to this area elevate the existing street scene and bring Ipswich’s heritage harbour into the spotlight.”

Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “This is great for the town. At the redeveloped area beside Stoke Bridge, residents and visitors can now stop to take in Ipswich’s fantastic waterfront. From there, the new information signage beside the physical bridge will allow them to access online stories of Ipswich’s maritime heritage, via the digital bridge of a QR code.”

David Ralph, Chair of the Ipswich Vision Board, added: “The Towns Fund Digital Ipswich project consists of multiple strands that harness innovative digital technologies with the objective of improving the town centre economy through increasing footfall and dwell time. The QR codes at Stoke Bridge Wharf will provide a digital link to connect visitors with stories of Ipswich’s maritime heritage, enriching the visitor experience and providing an interesting, interactive learning environment.”

Eleanor Fiennes, Director of Operations for Packaged Living said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the regeneration works at Stoke Bridge Wharf. This project, alongside Packaged Living’s rental living scheme Merchants Yard, which is located only moments away, will redefine the area and create a vibrant destination that draws people in – bringing the community together.”

The new look Stoke Bridge Wharf is an enhanced viewing platform to enjoy the waterfront with new seating, planting, and heritage information signage, funded by Suffolk County Council’s PDP Ipswich Investment Fund.

Local companies were selected to deliver the Stoke Bridge Wharf project, including Charlotte Norman of AREA Landscape Architects for overall design of the scheme; Brooks & Wood for street furniture build and installation; sign-writer Wayne Tanswell for his work on the buoy; and James Lee Burgess of Urban Tech Creative for production of the Dock Stories app.

Visit the ‘All About Ipswich’ website page for more information about the Stoke Bridge Wharf project. The All About Ipswich website and social media channels are managed by Ipswich Central.