Bury St. Edmunds has centuries-old architecture, renowned theatre productions, country parks and traditional open-air markets. This charming market town also boasts guided walks, television-film locations, family-friendly activities and old-world British pubs.
Things to do in Bury St. Edmunds
Get oriented in Bury St. Edmunds with a 90-minute guided walking tour through the historic section of the city. You can explore the Abbey Gate, Garden and Ruins as well as legendary streets, such as Guildhall Street, Hatter Street and Abbeygate Street. Check tour options and schedules at the official Tourist Information Centre.
Pedestrianised zones provide ample shopping opportunities, especially in the designer retail outlets on High Street. The Bury St. Edmunds Market in the town centre springs to life on Wednesday and Saturday mornings with street snacks and stalls selling antiques, spices, handmade cheeses and crafts.
Travelling with little ones? Head over to West Stow Country Park for woodland walks, trails, bird feeding and a children’s playground. The park is part of a re-created Anglo-Saxon village where you can watch period reenactments and films, dress up in Anglo-Saxon garb and meet rare breeds of chickens and pigs.
In the evening, catch an opera, dance or drama performance at Theatre Royal, the oldest purpose-built performance art theatre in Britain. Afterwards, sample local Greene King Ales at the 17th-century Dog and Partridge pub, famous for being a filming location for the “Lovejoy” television series. You can also squeeze your way into the Nutshell, considered the tiniest pub in the country.
Getting around Bury St. Edmunds
Buses, coaches, taxis and bicycle hires offer transportation around Bury St. Edmunds. You can rent a car in the city or at the Norwich International and London Stansted airports, both of which are about 75 kilometres away.