BURY ST EDMUNDS
COME TO TOWN
GOOD DAY A Bury Dubbed ‘a jewel in the crown of Suffolk’, Nicola Foley uncovers the historic market and cathedral town of Bury St Edmunds
B ursting with history, culture and good food, Bury St Edmunds has much to tempt day trippers. This ancient town’s streets sing with stories – of Viking invasions, witch trials, medieval glories and famous works of literature – all jostling for attention amid over 1,000 years of fascinating, sometimes world-changing, history. So where to start? A trip to the Abbey Gardens, home to the ruins of one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England, is a must. At the height of its wealth and influence, the Abbey of St Edmund attracted pilgrims from around the world, and it still pulls in the punters. According to Visit England, the Abbey Gardens and ruins in Bury St Edmunds is the fourth-most-visited free attraction in England. In addition to the intriguing remains of the Abbey, the gardens are a joy to discover, yielding thousands of flowers, fragrant herbs, fountains and an aviary. Just outside the park, you are greeted by the magnificent façade of The Angel – a hotel that has witnessed some extraordinary sights in its six centuries as an inn. Charles Dickens loved it here so much he immortalised it in The Pickwick Papers , while for King Louis Phillipe I it was a favourite bolthole during the French Revolution. Today, even without the exiled monarchs and literary superstars, it’s the place to be in Bury – always abuzz with diners, hotel guests and locals enjoying a cocktail in the bar. Step outside and there are art galleries, antique shops, independent boutiques and great places to eat and drink in all directions. For its size, Bury’s got a healthy live music scene, too (once upon a time John Peel labelled it ‘the new Seattle’), with The Hunter Club giving a platform to up-and-coming local acts and The Apex serving as a venue for big-name artists. OUT AND ABOUT The town has a lot to offer – take a stroll in the beautiful Abbey Gardens, visit one of many restaurants or spend the afternoon diving into the fascinating local history
The gardens are a joy to discover, yielding thousands of flowers
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JULY 2023 53
Powered by FlippingBook