The West Stand

The West Stand at Portman Road is where Ipswich Town's history lives - a proper piece of football architecture that's been watching matches since 1957. If you're into football heritage, this is the structure that saw Bobby Robson's glory days and countless cup runs unfold in front of thousands of fans. The stand itself is industrial and functional rather than fancy, but that's rather the point. You can see it from the street without paying anything, which most casual visitors do. If you want the full tour experience, you'll need to check ahead with the club about matchday access or guided visits - details aren't straightforward online, so ring them directly.

Football fanatics will get the most from this. Kids might find it interesting if they're already into the sport, though standing outside looking at a stand isn't exactly thrilling for under-tens. For a proper match experience, you'd need to time your visit with the playing season and book tickets well in advance.

Ipswich itself is five minutes away, and if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Priory Park or Suffolk Steel House are both excellent - you're perfectly placed for a quick visit. Most people combine this with a look around town or use it as a pre-match warm-up. Allow 15-20 minutes for the exterior view, longer if you catch a tour. Honestly, it's more of a tick-box than a destination in itself, but if you're a Tractor Boys fan passing through Suffolk, it's worth the detour.