Cliff Brewery, Ipswich

Cliff Brewery is a protected Victorian-era brewing building in Ipswich set on the riverside. The structure displays a distinctive tower and hip roof design rising above the banks of the River Orwell.

The brewery began in 1723 and started in Harwich before relocating to this 1896 building designed by William Bradford in Ipswich. The move positioned the operation closer to transport routes and urban markets.

The building stands as a record of English brewing craft and shows how industry shaped this riverside port town. Visitors can still see the solid construction that reflects the skill and labor of earlier brewers.

The site is not currently open to visitors as the building is undergoing development. The exterior can be viewed from the waterfront promenade where you can appreciate the architecture from outside.

The original brewery in Harwich faced a water problem since local sources were unsuitable for brewing beer. Fresh water had to be brought in from a distance, showing how critical water quality was to the craft.