The park has been transformed by a £3.5million refurbishment, which has created a visitor centre and café in the old Stable Block among many improvements.

The project has been made possible by National Lottery players with a grant of over £2.8million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund through the Parks for People scheme. Further contributions came from Ipswich Borough Council and the Friends of Holywells Park.

The former Orangery has dropped its cloak of corrugated iron to become a stunning meeting place and there is a new outdoor theatre space, toilets and high-tech iplay facility for teenagers at the play area.

Ipswich Borough Council and the Friends of Holywells Park have organised another summer series of family days to continue the celebrations after the official re-opening by the Mayor, Glen Chisholm, on Saturday 18 July, starting at noon.

Percy the Park Keeper will be a fitting star at the official re-opening. Children’s author Nick Butterworth will be telling stories and signing books as part of the entertainment planned to celebrate the £3.5million transformation of Holywells. There will also be live music and performances, children's entertainment including fairground rides, bouncy castle, donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows, activities of Chinese martial arts, Tai chi, yoga and Nordic walking and guided heritage walks of the park.

The Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, David Ellesmere, said: “The park has been transformed into something not only residents but also visitors can really be proud of. We are grateful to the HLF and the Big Lottery for their generous support and also to the Friends, who we work closely with to make Holywells a valued community hub and visitor attraction.”

Inga Grimsey, Chair of the Committee for the HLF East of England, said: “Investing in our beautiful parks and open spaces is vital not only for the future of our natural heritage but also for our health, communities and sense of identity. Thanks to National Lottery players, Holywells Park can now be firmly at the heart of the life in Ipswich – as a place to work, perform, play and enhance our wellbeing – for generations to come. Huge congratulations to everyone involved."

Further information

HLF press office: Rebecca Lamm on 020 7591 6245.

Ipswich Borough Council press office: Max Stocker on 01473 432 035.