Bury St Edmunds

Plan your day out In Bury St Edmunds

Whether you're a history fan, a shopaholic or a culture enthusiast, exploring Bury St Edmunds will make your day. There's everything from galleries and gardens to one of Britain's most pint-sized pubs. Visit the Bury St Edmunds and Beyond website for more information.

The Cornhill and Buttermarket

Bury St Edmunds’ traditional town centre has a range of shops, from well-established independents to major high street brands including Marks & Spencer, Boots and WHSmith.

Leading from the town centre to the panoramic sweep of Angel Hill, Abbeygate Street is lined with small boutiques, gift shops, cafes and restaurants, including branches of Pizza Express and Prezzo.

You'll find lots more interesting independent establishments along this lengthy thoroughfare. It's the perfect place to browse for unusual gifts or stylish housewares.

Get some intense retail therapy in this destination shopping experience with a great selection of stores, dining and entertainment. Arc Bury St Edmunds is home to over 30 major brands, from Accessorize to Waterstone's and Wagamama.

Dating back to the Norman era, Bury St Edmunds' traditional street market fills most of the Cornhill and Buttermarket on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Browse for bargains amongst over 80 stalls, selling everything from fruit, veg and flowers to shoes and household goods.

The Ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund

In Medieval times, The Abbey of St Edmund, which in 2020 celebrates its 1000-year anniversary of its founding, was one of the richest, largest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. People came from all over Europe to visit the Shrine of Saint Edmund, the first Patron Saint of England, and it became one of the most famous and wealthy pilgrimage locations in England, visited by royalty. The Abbey’s history until its dissolution in 1539, is one filled with intrigue, mystery, riots and unrest but undoubtedly its most important role was in the Magna Carta story. The Abbey remains are extensive and include the complete 14th century Abbeygate and Norman Tower, as well as the impressive ruins and altered west front of the immense church, St Mary’s Church and part of St Edmundsbury Cathedral. Saint Edmund’s final resting place is a great mystery; some believe he is buried somewhere within the abbey precincts!

Find out more about The Ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund

Benjamin Greene began brewing beer at this site in 1799. Now Greene King is the UK's largest pub retailer and brewer. Take a tour of this historic brewery and see how real beer is made, using natural ingredients and traditional methods. You'll also get a brilliant rooftop view of the town.

Visit the Greene King website

Dating back to 1279, it is the oldest continuously-used civic building in Britain and hosts a World War Two Royal Observer Corps Control Centre – the only surviving room of its kind in the country. Bury St Edmunds Guildhall features interactive displays and collections taking you on a journey through history. Visit The Court Room, the Banqueting Hall, the RAF’s WWII Royal Observer Corps Operations Centre Headquarters, the Tudor Kitchen, courtyards and open gardens. Plus, live re-enactors will also appear on special occasions.

Find out more about The Guildhall

Step into the past in one of Bury St Edmunds' most beautiful heritage buildings. Permanent collections focus on local and social history, including superstitions, witchcraft and the notorious Red Barn murder. Throughout the year there are also a wide range of visiting exhibitions, workshops and talks.

Visit the Moyse's Hall Museum website

If you like your pubs to be snug, this is your kind of place. Listed as Britain's smallest hostelry by the Guinness Book of Records, this tiny tavern has been trading since 1867. Measuring just 15 feet by 7 feet, this bar is full of historical photos and artefacts.

Visit The Nutshell website

Built on the site of an ancient Benedictine abbey, this historic house of worship has evolved over the centuries and became a cathedral in 1914. In 2005, the building was finally completed with a magnificent 45-metre Gothic lantern tower. St Edmundsbury Cathedral's Victorian stained glass is awe-inspiring and the Norman Tower is famous for its rousing peal of 12 bells.

Visit St Edmundsbury Cathedral website

Just down the road from the Cathedral, St Mary's is a hidden gem. One of the largest parish churches in England, it has the country's longest aisle and largest west window. It also houses the tomb of Henry VIII's favourite sister, Mary Tudor, who was Queen of France and Duchess of Suffolk.

Find out more about St Mary's Church

Explore the illustrious heritage of one of East Anglia's most famous fighting forces, from its foundation in 1685 to its amalgamation with the Royal Norfolk Regiment in 1959. Regimental history and soldiers' individual stories are brought to life through medals, uniforms, photographs, weapons, equipment and personal memorabilia.

Visit the Suffolk Regiment Museum website
Abbeygate Cinema

Independently owned, this cosy little cinema is conveniently situated right in the heart of town. It also has a welcoming, Georgian-style eaterie, No 4 Restaurant and Bar – perfect for a pre-movie meal or drink.

Visit the Abbeygate Cinema website

With brilliant acoustics and stylish natural wood seating, this flexible performance space is located close to the town centre, within the Arc shopping centre. Its varied year-round programme features all kinds of music, from pop and rock to folk, jazz and classical, as well as comedy and dance performances. There's also a café and art gallery.

Visit The Apex website

The Bury St Edmunds branch of the well-known Cineworld national cinema chain is the place to catch the latest Hollywood blockbusters, as well as critically-acclaimed independent or world cinema releases. There are eight screens and several restaurants close at hand.

Visit the Cineworld website

The performing arts faculty of West Suffolk College presents live theatre, music, films and performance art in this versatile space, located in the College's main campus on Out Risbeygate.

Visit the Conservatoire East Theatre

Take in a show at this gorgeous little theatre and you can imagine yourself back in the early nineteenth century. Beautifully restored by the National Trust, the Grade I listed building is the last remaining Regency playhouse in the country, however, the programme is far from dated. The current creative team is continuing a longstanding tradition of presenting new drama, as well as touring productions, music and comedy.

Visit the Theatre Royal website
Abbey Gardens

Walk through the towering Abbey Gate and you're in the former monastery site, now transformed into beautiful gardens, peacefully cloistered from town and traffic. As well as ancient abbey ruins, the six-hectare green space has formal flower beds, a rose garden, a sensory garden and a water garden. Other attractions include a brilliant adventure play area and an aviary.

Find out more about Abbey Gardens

Fancy a walk in the woods? Head for Nowton Park, just a mile or so from the town centre via the Abbey Gardens. Featuring 200 acres of landscaped parkland, it has way-marked circular trails through secluded hollows, wildflower meadows and an arboretum featuring trees from around the world.

Find out more about Nowton Park
Cafes, tea rooms and coffee houses

Whether you're into artisan Arabica or traditional tea, there's a place that's made for you in Bury St Edmunds. Chains such as Caffe Nero and Costa sit comfortably with independent alternatives, including Harriet's, a classic tea room in the mould of the famous art deco Lyons Corner Houses. The Adnams shop also has a delightful little café.

When it comes to dining options, Bury St Edmunds feels truly cosmopolitan, with everything from quintessentially British hotels and inns to pizzerias, continental-style bistros and Asian fusion restaurants. The Angel Hotel's chic eatery has won two AA rosettes for its modern British cuisine, the Casa brings a flavour of Spain to the town with its delicious Mediterranean menu or eat at the award winning French restaurant Maison Bleue.

Need to eat and run? No problem. There are plenty of fast-food options around the town, ranging from fish and chips, burgers and bakery favourites to take-away pizza and aromatic Thai street food at the open-air market.

Load stations
Last updated:
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Staffing level Full time
CCTV Yes
Information systems
  • DepartureScreens
  • Announcements
Station operator Greater Anglia
Ticket office opening times
No
Pre-purchase collection Yes
Ticket machine Yes
Smartcards issued here Yes
Top up Smartcards here Yes
Validate Smartcards here Yes
Penalty fares LE
Top up Smartcards here Yes
Customer service information

Monday-Saturday 08:00-20:00Sunday 10:00-20:00Bank Holidays 09:00-18:00

The hours shown are for the Customer Relations team on 0345 600 7245 (option 8).

Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Left luggage

Available: No

Lost property
  • Monday to Sunday and All bank holidays: 24 hours
Seated area
Yes
Waiting room

The waiting room is located in the station building and can be accessed from under the canopy on Platform 2 (for trains towards Stowmarket and Ipswich).

  • Monday to Friday: 05:45 - 18:15
  • Saturday: 06:50 - 17:30
  • Sunday: 08:15 - 15:00
Station buffet

Coffeelink

Self-service vending machine providing cold drinks and snacks

Yes
Toilets
Yes

The male, female, and accessible toilets are located in the station building and are accessed from Platform 2 (for trains towards Stowmarket and Ipswich). The accessible toilet is available for radar key holders. All toilets at this station are scheduled to be open at the following times:

Monday - Friday 05:45 - 18:15Saturday 06:50 - 17:30Sunday 08:15 - 15:00

Baby changing facilities
No
Wifi
Yes
Post box
Yes
Helpline

We want everyone to travel with confidence. That is why, if you are planning on travelling on national rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance - now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. For more information about Passenger Assist and how to request an assistance booking via Passenger Assist, please click here .

Note:

0800 028 28 78

URL: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

08:00 - 20:00

  • Monday to Sunday: 08:00 - 20:00
Staff help

Assistance at this station is provided by a staff member during staffing hours. On board conductors also operate on this route and can provide assistance to board and alight at all times. Booking is recommended.

What assistance is available for customers using this station?

  • Board and alight
  • Ramp assistance
  • Luggage (on and off train only)
  • Ticket sale on board

How can Turn Up And Go (TUAG) assistance be requested by customers using this station?

  • By speaking with a member of station staff
  • By calling 0345 600 7245 (option 4)
  • By selecting the help button on one of the ticket machines at this station
  • By using one of the Help Points at this station
  • Monday to Saturday: 05:45 - 19:15
  • Sunday: 08:00 - 16:00
Induction loop available Yes
Ticket machine
Yes
Accessible booking office counter available
Yes
Ramp for train access available
Yes
Accessible taxis information

Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster

National Key toilets available
Yes
Step free access

This station has step-free access to both platforms via lifts.

This station is a category A station according to ORR station classification system. https://www.orr.gov.uk/media/10955

Assistance meeting point is at the Gateline (during staffing hours), or alternatively on the platform.

Ticket gates

Bury St Edmunds station has Secure Station Acreditation

Yes
Impaired mobility set down available
No
Car park 1 Station Car Park
Car park 1 operator National Car Parks Ltd
Car park 1 spaces 101
Car park 1 opening times
  • Monday to Friday: 24 hours
  • Saturday: 24 hours
  • Sunday: 24 hours
Car park 1 charges
  • Per hour: £1.00
  • Daily: £4.40
  • Weekly: £17.00
Car park 1 contact details

Telephone: 0345 050 7080

URL: https://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park/car-parks/bury-st-edmunds-stn-g-anglia/

Onward travel

Bury St Edmunds is a PlusBus location click (http://www.plusbus.info/sites/default/files/pdfs/Bury St Edmunds.pdf) to see the PlusBus map

Cycle storage available Yes
Cycle storage spaces 24
Cycle storage sheltered Yes
Cycle storage CCTV Yes
Cycle storage location

At station entrance and on both platforms

Cycle storage types
  • Compounds
  • Lockers
  • Stands
Rail replacement information

Rail replacement bus services pick up and drop off at the bus stop on the station forecourt.

Cab&Go

Need a taxi to or from Bury St Edmunds station? Use our handy Cab & Go app. You can pre-book at a competitive rate via your mobile, tablet or PC.

Where to stay

Book your accommodation online with our partner Booking.com