10 Best Things to Do in Bury St Edmunds
Explore Cinematic History, Play Mini-Golf or Hit the Trails
Bury St Edmunds is packed full of things to do whether you’re interested in exploring historical landmarks or seeing a live performance at an opulent theater. Most destinations in this town offer a high-end experience even if it’s just a simple movie theater, so you can expect something a bit more refined no matter where you go.
Of course, the green spaces in town are lovely as well with vibrant flora to explore. Check out the 10 best things to do in Bury St Edmunds.
What are the best things to do in Bury St Edmunds?
1. Abbey Gardens
See the colorful display
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget, Adventure
The Abbey Gardens are renowned throughout the UK for their impressive and colorful floral designs that serve as the perfect backdrop for a lovely stroll. Access to the gardens is completely free, so you can enjoy their splendor all you like.
Within the park, you’ll find 20,000 plants blooming in intricate designs, leaving little doubt as to how these gardens won so many awards in the past. You’ll find these gardens just east of the town center before reaching the River Lark.
Location: Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1LS, UK
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1284 757490
Abbey Gardens
2. St. Edmundsbury Cathedral
Explore a historic cathedral
Good for: History
St Edmundsbury Cathedral is a historic church dating back to the 11th century that you can tour to see an impressive example of Gothic architecture. Most of the modern structure was built in the 16th century, and the most recent additions happened in 2007.
Impressively, its recent modifications don’t distract from the historic grandeur of this cathedral, especially when it comes to the relatively recently completed tower that sports a magnificent Gothic revival styling. You’ll find this cathedral just a short walk east of the town center.
Location: Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1LS, UK
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm (closed to all but parishioners on Sundays)
Phone: +44 (0)1284 748720
St. Edmundsbury Cathedral
3. West Stow Country Park and Anglo-Saxon Village
Take a walk through the past
Good for: History
West Stow Country Park and Anglo-Saxon Village function as an open-air museum that depicts what life was like in Suffolk during the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The reconstructed village, which you’re free to explore, features the iconic sunken-featured buildings that were common for the era.
Inside, you’ll find accurately reconstructed interiors of not only homes but weaving houses, workshops and halls. Additional information can be found in the information center. You’ll find this open-air museum about 7 miles to the west of town.
Location: Icklingham Rd, Bury Saint Edmunds IP28 6HG, UK
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1284 728718
West Stow Country Park and Anglo-Saxon Village
4. The Apex
Explore performative and visual art
Good for: Families, Nightlife
The Apex is a popular and modern entertainment venue that puts on thrilling performances and hosts its very own art gallery that you can explore. The shows can vary quite a bit, with some being classics that everyone knows and others being more original. Musical performances are also common with the venue and tend to focus on classical, jazz, folk and rock.
The art gallery draws in visitors to see its frequently changing exhibitions, so you may want to check back at the Apex every time you visit Bury St Edmunds. You’ll find it in the town center within Charter Square.
Location: 1 Charter Square St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 3FD, UK
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +44 (0)1284 758000
The Apex
5. Nowton Park
Enjoy the tranquillity of nature
Good for: Couples, Families, Adventure
Nowton Park is a lovely park in town comprising 81 hectares of well-maintained land perfect for taking a stroll or visiting the arboretum to see exotic trees. The green space here is well-kept and has numerous walking paths to partake in.
The arboretum is one of the more popular aspects of the park, as you’ll find Australian eucalyptus, Chinese paperbark maple and North American Kentucky coffee trees. Don’t forget to check out the maze if you’re visiting from May to October. You’ll find this park on the south side of town, about a mile out from the town center.
Location: Bury Rd, Bury Saint Edmunds IP29 5LU, UK
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1284 757098
Nowton Park
6. The Abbey
Explore ancient ruins
Good for: History
The Abbey is the central location that the entire town of Bury St Edmunds grew around, though the modern Abbey is little more than ruins these days. Even so, you can explore the rubble cores of the ruins as well as the surprisingly intact medieval gatehouses.
Construction on the Abby began about 1,000 years ago, and you can feel the history simply by exploring what’s left behind. The Abbey Gate is still in pristine condition, as it was rebuilt in the 14th century and has been well-maintained to this very day. You’ll find the Abbey just a short walk east of the modern town center.
Location: 22 Mustow St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1XL, UK
The Abbey
7. Bury St Edmunds Market
Visit the bustling market
Good for: Shoppers
Bury St Edmunds Market is a street market that’s set up twice a week and offers a wide variety of food in addition to crafts and other items. You’ll find more than 80 stalls set up every Saturday, with the Wednesday markets hosting around 60, so the sheer number of options guarantees potentially hours of shopping.
Locally sourced food is most common, but you’ll also find fully cooked meals, vibrant flowers and clothing items for sale. You’ll find it all on Butter Market in the town center.
Location: Buttermarket, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1DB, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1284 757093
Bury St Edmunds Market
8. Greene King Brewery
Go for a tasting
Good for: Nightlife
Greene King Brewery is a massive beer producer based in Bury St Edmunds that’s open for tours and tastings. On a tour, you can discover exactly how their popular beers are made, with narration provided by a knowledgeable guide who’s open to any questions you might have.
Of course, you’ll get to try the varying flavors yourself at the end with a tasting. The tour even comes with a bottle of beer you can take home. You’ll find the brewery near the city centre, just south of the Abbey Gardens.
Location: Westgate Brewery, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QT, UK
Open: Monday–Friday from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (closed on weekends)
Phone: +44 (0)1284 763222
Greene King Brewery
9. Abbegate Movie theater
Enjoy a movie with a refined theater experience
Good for: Food, Nightlife, Luxury
Abbeygate Movie theater is a high-end movie theater where you can relax and watch a variety of movies, all while surrounded by the luxurious and comfortable ambience. The movies on offer aren’t just the normal blockbusters that normally show up in movie theaters, as you’ll find an extensive selection of arthouse and indie movies as well.
Additionally, you can visit the onsite restaurant if you’re looking for dinner and a show with specialized Canadian West Coast cuisine. The movie theater is located within the historic sector of town.
Location: 4 Hatter St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1LZ, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1284 754477
Abbegate Movie theater
10. Theater Royal
Visit a working historical theater
Good for: History, Nightlife
Theater Royal is a regency theater where you can see a live performance of a drama, concert or even stand-up comedy in historical surroundings. The history of this building can be felt the second you look at its exterior. In fact, it’s the only actual working theater in the UK that’s protected as a Grade I building.
Additionally, the theater is one of 8 in the Black Theater Live partnership consortium, which promotes positive change for ethnic minorities through a program of national touring, audience development and structural support. You’ll find this theater just south of the cathedral near the town center.
Location: Westgate St, Bury St Edmunds, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1QR, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1284 769505
Theater Royal
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