Bury St. Edmunds
Bury St. Edmunds is an old market town, now a cathedral city, in the beautiful county of Suffolk.
Originally named Bedricsworth, the town’s name was changed to St. Edmundsbury (still used as alternative name) when St. Edmund, the King of East Anglia, was buried here.
Edmund had been defeated in battle by the Danes at Hoxne, and subsequently murdered. His body, having rested at the surviving wooden church at Greenstead-juxta-Ongar in Essex, was brought here and a great Abbey grew up on the site.
The town became an important pilgrimage centre, bringing much wealth, as at Canterbury. Some of the Abbey ruins can be seen in the lovely Abbey Gardens.
One of the two churches associated with the Abbey is now the Cathedral.
Moyse’s Hall is a Norman stone building, reminiscent of the ones still surviving at Lincoln and Norwich. The Athenaeum on Angel Hill is where Charles Dickens gave readings. The Nutshell is believed to be the smallest public house in England.
On the outskirts of Bury St. Edmunds is an enormous sugar factory, which is a landmark for miles.
Famous people born here include the theatre director Peter Hall; the actor Bob Hoskins; and landscape designer Humphrey Repton. Another born here is Jamie Grove, who played cricket for both Essex and Leicestershire.
Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Bury St. Edmunds for groups.
Events in Bury St. Edmunds
Places in Bury St. Edmunds
Abbey Gardens, Abbey Gate, Angel Hill, Athenaeum, Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral, Bury St. Edmunds Station, Great Churchyard, Manor House, Market Square, Moyses Hall, Nutshell, St. Marys Church, Theatre Royal, Unitarian Meeting House