Dating back to 1080, Bury St Edmunds is a truly unique town. The ruins of the 11th Century Benedictine Abbey, within the beautiful Abbey gardens, are just a couple of minutes walk from the shopping areas and Georgian town squares. There is an award-winning market, and a good selection of independently owned stores and high street chains.
There are many cafes, coffee shops, pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy a superb selection of cuisine, from traditional British fare to Italian, Indian or Chinese. Not to be missed, The Nutshell is the smallest pub in Britain. From opening it’s doors to the first customers in 1867, it is well known for serving a fine range of regional ales, but also for having an interesting selection of photographs and memorabilia which have been collected over the years.
The Greene King Brewery is again situated within walking distance of the main square. Tours are available to take you through the brewing process using natural and traditional brewing methods, which have been used for many years. You can also see a super view of Bury St Edmunds from the roof! As you may expect, your personal tour will end with a beer tasting in the Beer Cafe.
Also worth a visit, is the 18th century Mill, which is still in use and from where you can buy freshly milled flour - apparently a favourite of The Hairy Bikers!
Built in 1819, The Theatre Royal has undergone much restoration throughout the years, and is the last surviving Regency playhouse in the country. Full of character and history it offers a wide programme of performances from music and dance to drama and comedy. It is also possible to book a behind-the-scenes tour. The Apex, which is in the centre of the town, hosts a diverse programme of events; from classical music to rock and pop, and a superb variety of dance and comedy.
Make sure that you book enough time at your holiday cottage to make the most of all that this historic town has to offer.