St Edmundsbury Cathedral
At the heart of Suffolk is the attractive and sleepy market town of Bury St Edmunds. As one of the main centres in the county, it still has a rural charm with its collection of Georgian town squares and small parks. There is a weekly street market where you can buy local produce. Visit the stunning St Edmundsbury Cathedral with the lovely, landscaped Abbey Gardens on the banks of the River Lark, or take in the ruins of the Benedictine Abbey that lie close by.
Abbey Gardens is a great spot to take a picnic and to get lost in the seemingly endless maze of park land, covering six hectares. The centrepiece is the extensive abbey, which visitors can wander around freely. Facilities include an aviary, refreshment kiosk, bowling green, tennis courts, water garden, rose garden, sensory garden, play area, pergola and more. The cathedral, which is the only one in Suffolk, is home to the eye-catching Millennium Tower. There are regular tours, and new for 2017 is a Lego model of the building too (#STEDCATHLEGO), so there’s something to entertain all the family.
Benedictine Abbey
In Bury St Edmunds, there is a balanced mix of brand leader shops and independents. It’s a pleasure to get lost in the centre of town unearthing some unique treasures. It’s unusual for a town this size to have two cinema complexes, but it hosts the Picturehouse (which shows off-mainstream and foreign language films) whilst the main multiplex plays the current blockbusters.
“One of the East of England’s prettiest market towns…”
Bury St Edmunds also has a very good choice of eateries. The well-known chains are amply represented, but look further and you will find a number of family-run bistros and restaurants offering British fare, as well as Italian, Indian, Chinese and more.
If you need a taste of the countryside, or you’re looking for exciting outdoor adventures, Thetford Forest Park is within easy reach of the town. It is the largest man-made lowland forest in the country. There are lots of trails for walkers of all stamina through a network of pines, heathland and broadleaf trees. Take a picnic and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the forest.
Bury St Edmunds is a reasonable drive away from Ipswich in Essex and the Suffolk Coast for worthwhile visits to Woodbridge, Felixstowe or Orford Ness.
Choose a Bury St Edmunds cottage to be amidst the excitement of the town yet close to the countryside.