Ipswich Portal

Something extraordinary has arrived at the heart of Ipswich. The Ipswich Portal, a striking circular sculpture on the Cornhill, is the UK's first installation in the growing global Portal network, and it invites passers-by to do something genuinely remarkable: wave hello to a stranger on the other side of the world.

The sculpture houses a large live-streaming screen that connects Ipswich in real time with partner cities across the globe. Unveiled in October 2025 as the fifth Portal worldwide, it has since expanded its reach to include Vilnius, Lublin, Dublin, Philadelphia, and Manila, with Brazil and other locations set to follow.

What to expect

• Life-sized, real-time video connections with people in other Portal cities
• A rotating live feed cycling through the partner locations throughout the day
• A free, fully accessible experience open to everyone passing through the Cornhill
• The chance to be part of a piece of public art history: this is the first Portal ever to stand on British soil

The installation is part of Digital Ipswich, a place-making programme delivered by Ipswich Borough Council and funded by the UK Government's Towns Fund. It was created by Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys, whose organisation runs the entire global network.

Good to know

• Open daily, 6 am to 11 pm, right through to 31 March 2027
• Free to use, no tickets or booking required
• Located on the Cornhill, in the very centre of Ipswich town centre, a short walk from Ipswich railway station