I’m sure that not many people have heard of Bury St Edmunds, a charming market town in Suffolk, England. It’s not well-known as nearby Newmarket of which you’ve probably heard of if you’re into horses. Somehow I have a feeling that even if you live in Britain you probably haven’t visited Bury St Edmunds. In 2008 I lived & worked for a couple of months in Suffolk. When I needed a bank, a post office or to do some shopping I went to Bury.
I’m a city girl and coming from a much bigger seaside town I found Bury to be small but delightfully old-fashioned with its shops with limited opening hours and medieval-looking houses. Moreover, to me it perfectly represented the English countryside town which I have seen only on TV until then. I have visited London before this work experience but London is quite another world. It didn’t prepare me for the delightful little surprise called Bury St Edmunds. Despite all the good and the bad that I’ve experienced during my brief time in England I still have a fond memory of Bury St Edmunds. The last time I visited Bury was in 2010. I toyed with the idea of visiting it again last year on my 11th trip to London but ….it just didn’t happen.
I loved walking around the Abbey gardens and taking photos of cute, friendly squirrels. I admired the wobbly old houses around the town. I had an excellent afternoon tea at Harriet’s Tearoom. I had drinks at quaint little pubs and delicious meals at lovely restaurants. In general, I loved the look and the feel of this perfectly English small town. While I was working in England I explored a bit East Anglia and visited places such as Cambridge, Ely, Norwich etc. It’s definitely one of the prettiest regions in England 🙂 (my very biased opinion).
A lot has changed in BSE since my time there. There’s a Christmas fayre now in Bury every year. Furthermore, a wolf trail was launched around the town which has been inspired by similar art trails around England such as the Chester Rhinos. Why a wolf? Because according to a legend a wolf guarded King Edmund’s head after he was slain by the Danes who invaded England in the 9th century. There’s an excellent live music venue now too, the Apex. But I’m sure that some things haven’t changed and that the town still smells of sugar from the local sugar factory.
What can you see in Bury St Edmunds?
The Abbey Gate-the symbol of BSE
Abbey gardens-beautiful gardens with very friendly squirrels
Bury St Edmunds Abbey-ruins of once mighty abbey from 11th century which housed the body of the martyred King Edmund.
Norman tower –in abbey gardens
St Edmundsbury cathedral-the only cathedral in Suffolk
Greene King Brewery-you can visit it!
The Nutshell -the smallest pub in Britain
Moyse’s Hall Museum -it is one of the oldest domestic buildings in East Anglia open to the public
St Mary’s Church– here is the grave of Mary Tudor, the Queen of France and sister of King Henry VIII. She was re-buried here six years after her death.
The Guildhall
Corn Exchange
Theatre Royal-the only remaining Regency Theatre in England
Pillar of Salt at Angel hill – Britain’s first internally illuminated street sign, built in 1935
Harriets Cafe Tearooms– you can have delicious afternoon tea here
The Angel Hotel –a luxurious hotel in a Georgian building. Charles Dickens stayed here while giving readings in the nearby Athenaeum and mentioned it in The Pickwick Papers
A few more photos from Bury St Edmunds
What’s nearby?
Ickworth House -a neoclassical country house and beautiful parkland. You should definitely visit it!
West Stow Country Park and Anglo-Saxon Village – archaeological site and an open-air museum
Newmarket –a small town famous for horse racing
Have you ever visited Bury St Edmunds? Would you like to? To find out more about BSE click here
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Reblogged this on An Oasis by the Thames and commented:
If you’re looking for some little hidden treasure in England that you can visit, perhaps Bury St. Edmunds, just two hours away from London, might be your cup of tea.
Let Tanja take you on a small tour through the little quaint town and decide for yourself.
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ok:) thanks!
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I didn’t realise there was so much in Bury St Edmunds ! I’ve been a couple of times to see friends and it’s a really quaint place but have never been to the Abbey or cathedral! Thanks for the insight, I should have a proper explore! #citytripping
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you’re welcome:)
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I actually stayed at the Angel once years ago and totally agree that Bury is lovely – the abbey ruins are wonderful to wander around and think of how much history there is here. I hadn’t realised about Queen Mary’s grave though. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
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that must have been really nice:)
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I really like Bury St Edmunds it is a beautiful place as your photos show #MondayEscapes
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🙂 thanks!
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I had completely forgotten until reading your post but had visited Bury St Edmunds many years ago as a small girl. Thank you for the memories! #MondayEscapes
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that’s good to hear:)you’re welcome:)
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How nice that you have such fond memories. Seems like a lovely place with plenty to see and do!
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🙂 yes, it is
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I only know bury St Edmunds from studying the area in text books for Geography O level many years ago. I have never actually visited and I must say your pictures look way more interesting than my old text books! #MondayEscapes
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:)) that’s good to hear:)
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Looks like a beautiful English town! I haven’t heard of this one before! #MondayEscapes
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now you have 🙂
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Bury St Edmunds does look very charming!
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🙂 it’s rather charming:)
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I’ve never been but it looks like a really interesting place to visit!
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it is:)
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What a charming place.
#mondayescapes
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🙂
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Bury isn’t too far from me, so I really should visit some time. Love the sound of the teeny-tiny pub! #MondayEscapes
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🙂 you’d definitely visit it:)
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Sounds lovely! And you are quite right. I live in Sussex so not a million miles away and while I’ve heard of Bury St Edmonds, I’ve never been. I shall have to put that right. I’d especially like to visit the Nutshell!
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🙂 it’s a fun pub with strange decorations;)
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I have never been to Suffolk but this post makes me want to go, there are so many nice towns left for me to visit in the UK!
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🙂 great!
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It’s so cute! I love the British charm of it! I’d put this in my list of places to visit. 🙂
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thanks! it’s a lovely place for sure:)
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I clicked on this post because although I know where Bury St Edmunds is I had no idea what it had to offer visitors – thank you for educating me! #farawayfiles
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🙂 you’re welcome:)
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This post is exactly what #FarawayFiles can be! Sharing places that are off the radar – that are charming and wonderful, but people don’t know about! Thank you for letting us into the little world of Busy Saint Edmunds. I would to pop into the Nutshell! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
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thanks:))
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We have friends that live in Bury St Edmonds and visited a few years ago, what a great town to visit!
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🙂 that’s nice
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I really enjoyed Bury when I visited in the summer of 2002. I am well overdue a return trip 🙂
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me too:)
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I had not heard of Bury St Edmunds. Enjoyed reading about your time living there and your photos of the abbey gardens and ruins.
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thanks:) it’s a lovely place
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What a charming place, very quintessential English, and so much to do!
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yes:)
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The grey squirrel appears very pleased with your visit 😄
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:))
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Nice! Honestly I never heard about it, especially the ruins seem great!
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🙂
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Never been here but it looks like there is a lot to see and do. Love those ruins especially.
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you should visit it:)
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I would love to chase some squirrels at Abbey Gardens! The ruins look fascinating. And I wouldn’t miss that high tea at Harriets Cafe Tearooms if I’m there! #FarawayFiles
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🙂 yes, you should do those things if you visit it:)
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I love Suffolk but haven’t made it to Bury yet. Your pictures make it look such a lovely, quintessential English town. I had no idea Mary Tudor was buried here. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
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🙂 it’s a rather charming place
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Some lovely photographs here! Bury St Edmunds looks great and haven’t visited myself. Do like places like this, historic and beautiful.
Laura xo
http://www.shehearts.net
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🙂 thanks!
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It looks so charming. I’ll add it to my endless list of places to visit in England….
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🙂
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Tanja, what comprehensive photos. A virtual tour guide… love it! How cute is that little squirrel and the cheeky cat catching some rays on the tombstone?! A wonderful post, as usual, from you… Annette #FarawayFiles
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thank you very much:)
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I have to confess Bury St Edmonds wasn’t on my radar of places to visit until now Tanja. Lovely pics. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
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🙂 I’m glad you changed your mind now:)
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So cool.. I love visiting English villages & towns.
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I know:))thanks!
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Bury St Edmunds really does look like a quintessential English town – you’ve put it firmly on my ‘visit’ map!
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:)) great!
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