A guide to Bury St Edmunds

Did you know?

  • 1.
    The town is probably most famous for the ruined Abbey that stands near to the town centre, surrounded by Abbey Gardens, and is one of the hidden gems of Suffolk.
  • 2.
    The Abbey was built as a shrine to Saint Edmund, Saxon King of the East Engles. St Edmund was killed by the Danes in 869AD but for many centuries pilgrims came from all over the world to worship at his shrine.
  • 3.
    St Mary’s church in Bury is the final resting place of the French Queen, Mary Tudor. The famous ship The Mary Rose was named after her.

Bury St Edmunds Area

In Bury St Edmunds, the Abbey grew to become the fourth-largest monastery in Europe and an important site of pilgrimage prior to its dissolution, it then became a source of quarry stone for local builders, such that only remnants remain. Today the ruins of the Abbey form part of the Abbey Gardens, a public park, but the town's Medieval heritage is still visible in much of the street plan of the town centre which has not changed in 1000 years.

Surrounding Villages

  • Blackthorpe
    Quite a small village – pretty much on the map due to the estate house that grows Christmas trees and has a festive barn/also does events for example; art exhibitions, cookery school things like that.
  • Thurston
    The village of Thurston which has a population of 4,000, is situated east of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk just north of the A14.
  • Beyton
    Beyton is a village and civil parish in the Mid Suffolk district of Suffolk. The village is east of Bury St Edmunds and sits near Thurston. The modern A14 dual carriageway bypasses the village to the north.
  • Woolpit
    Woolpit is a village in the English county of Suffolk, it sits between the towns of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. It is notable for the 12th-century legend of the green children of Woolpit and for its parish church, which has fine medieval woodwork.

Lifestyle

  • Shopping

    The twice-weekly award-winning market, which is almost as old as the town’s Abbey, attracts thousands of shoppers every week. Not only is there a wonderful array of local produce, you can also find everything from authentic Italian shirts, Portuguese pottery, vintage clothes and colourful plants and flowers.

  • Eating

    Maison Bleue

    Intimate, stylish fine dining spot, serving a modern French menu with an emphasis on using fish.

    Ben’s

    An Award Winning Restaurant with a focus on sourcing the highest quality local ingredients from independent Suffolk producers and suppliers.

    Pea Porridge

    Husband and wife run restaurant with an emphasis on local, seasonal produce including ‘nose-to-tail’ dishes being a regular staple on their menu.

    Angel Hotel

    An historic landmark hotel in the heart of the town – sitting opposite the Abbey Gates, the Angel Hotel is a place to relax and enjoy lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.

  • Drinking

    The Beerhouse

    Offers a wide selection of cask ales and keg beers, ciders and carefully selected wines as well as home to craft brewery ‘Brewshed’.

    One Bull

    Child-friendly pub with stylish, rustic-chic interior, plus own-brew beer and a modern English food menu.

    Oakes Barn

    Real ale free house serving a large selection of ciders, beer and wine.

    The Northgate

    A striking Victorian townhouse transformed into a fun and vibrant restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Bury St Edmunds.

Travel

  • Trains

    Bury St Edmunds to Cambridge in 42 minutes

    Bury St Edmunds to Ipswich in 30 minutes


  • Other transport

    Quite hard to get to on the train – but well connected with road networks as pretty much on the A14.

    50 minutes to Stansted Airport via A14/M11.