Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-nbsp">WHY?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>With gorgeous candy-coloured houses, a medieval quarter, and surrounded by glorious countryside, there are plenty of reasons why Bury St Edmunds is known as the jewel in the crown of Suffolk. It&#8217;s a perfectly sized town with easy access to both Cambridge and Ipswich, but you won&#8217;t need to leave because there&#8217;s everything you need here, including indie shops, fine culture, a fab foodie scene and even a cathedral.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/wine-cellar-seating.jpg" alt="wine cellar BSE inside with tables and low lighting " class="wp-image-28595" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/wine-cellar-seating.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/wine-cellar-seating-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/wine-cellar-seating-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/wine-cellar-seating-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/09/wine-cellar-seating-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Wine Cellar</figcaption></figure>



<p>Bury St Edmunds is known as Suffolk&#8217;s foodie capital and for good reason. First shout out – the town is home to the county&#8217;s only Michelin-starred restaurant. <a href="https://peaporridge.co.uk">Pea Porridge</a> on Cannon Street is a relaxed, quaint foodie haunt serving superb locally sourced dishes. <a href="http://www.maisonbleue.co.uk">Maison Bleue</a> on Churchgate Street serves fine French fare, while <a href="http://nineteen-twentyone.co.uk">1921 Angel Hill</a> is another up-market award-winner. We also love <a href="https://www.theangel.co.uk/food-and-drink/the-eaterie-restaurant/">The Eaterie</a> at The Angel Hotel, for fine fare in a stunning surrounding and top notch service. </p>



<p>For wine tasting nights with a choice of over 100 bottles and delicious grazing boards on the side, head to <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-wine-cellar-bury-st-edmunds/">The Wine Cellar</a>, a great drinking spot on Buttermarket. Also check out <a href="https://www.bluefigrestaurants.com">Blue Fig</a>, a new Mediterranean small plates restaurant; <a href="https://www.damsonandwilde.co.uk">Damson &amp; Wilde</a>, a relaxed restaurant and bar with a garden; and <a href="https://www.abbeygatecinema.co.uk/no4/">No.4 Restaurant &amp; Bar</a> in the traditional 1920s <a href="https://www.abbeygatecinema.co.uk/">Abbeygate Cinema</a>. The large armadillo-esque building in the modern quarter that used to be Debenhams is now a swish <a href="https://www.everymancinema.com/venues-list/g0210-everyman-bury-st-edmunds/">Everyman Cinema</a> with a bar and restaurant. </p>



<p>Try <a href="https://edmunds.wsc.ac.uk">Edmunds Restaurant</a> in the West Suffolk College if you fancy something a bit different, where customers are served and cooked for by catering students (under the watchful eye of expert chefs, don&#8217;t worry!), as well as the very cool <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=ice+cook+school+rougham&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8">ICE Cook School and Restaurant</a> in nearby Rougham. For a lovely home-cooked lunch, afternoon tea or piece of cake head to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/procopiospantry/?hl=en">Procopio&#8217;s Pantry</a> on Langton Place. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop"><strong>SHOP</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/10/Javelin.jpg" alt="Javelin clothes shop in Bury St Edmunds  " class="wp-image-35698" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/10/Javelin.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/10/Javelin-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/10/Javelin-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/10/Javelin-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/10/Javelin-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Javelin </figcaption></figure>



<p>Bury St Edmunds has two sides when it comes to shopping. A modern addition by the Cattle Market car park houses the big chains – Next, Joules, Waterstones, Pandora, Hotel Chocolat, Jojo Maman Bebé etc. Then the historic streets near the Abbey and along St John&#8217;s Street are lined with fabulous indie shops. For fashion we like&nbsp;<a href="https://javelinonline.co.uk">Javelin</a>, <a href="https://www.shopatanna.com">Anna,</a> <a href="https://oliviabenn.co.uk">Olivia Benn</a> and <a href="https://www.maiaandcecile.com">Maia and Cecile</a>, and for gifts, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/loftandspires">Loft &amp; Spires</a>, <a aria-label="The Parsley Pot  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.facebook.com/theparsleypot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Parsley Pot </a>and <a href="https://www.questhomeandgifts.co.uk">Quest</a>. </p>



<p>Again foodies will be in their element with a host of independents including <a href="https://vinogusto.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOorii7wm8UMM0u5q7xgPAxLaQfxFTFyvlfML573DWawgtFeTpR9X">Vino Gusto</a> wine shop; <a href="https://nethergate.co.uk/shop/">Nethergate Brewery &amp; Distillery&nbsp;shop</a>; <a href="https://leaburystedmunds.co.uk">Léa</a>, which sells takeaway meals from the upmarket Maison Bleue; <a href="https://visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/business-directory/humphreys-butchers">Humphries Butchers</a>; <a href="https://woostersbakery.com/">Wooster&#8217;s Bakery</a>, which also offers workshops; <a href="https://thecheesehole.co.uk">The Cheese Hole</a>; and, of course, <a href="https://adnams.co.uk/pages/bury-store">Adnams</a>, the Suffolk brewers shop. </p>



<p>There is a lively market every Wednesday and Saturday on the Buttermarket, and an annual <a href="https://www.ourburystedmunds.com/events/food-drink-festival/">food festival</a> in August too. The Christmas market used to be the largest in the UK, but recently has downsized and now comprises lots of smaller, but just as lovely, festive events. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>Need some fresh air after all that gormandising? Bury residents have plenty of green, open space including the 200 acres of beautiful <a href="https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/leisure/Parks/nowton-park.cfm">Nowton Park</a>, home to regular running and group fitness events. Brilliantly, the park is also home to <a href="https://www.heritagebeauty.me/">Heritage Beauty</a>, a tranquil beauty spa and treatment space. Later this year <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/lifestyle/david-lloyd-opening-bury-st-edmunds-2024/">a brand new David Lloyd Club</a> is opening and it looks like it&#8217;s going to be a stunning family space for health and wellbeing. </p>



<p>A cool stat if you need any more convincing to move here: people who live in the Moreton Hall area of Bury have one of the highest life expectancies in the UK at an amazing 93.4 years!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.bserickshaw.org.uk">The Bury St Edmunds Rickshaw</a> sums up everything we love about Bury; volunteers cycle around town offering free chatty rickshaw &#8216;joy&#8217; rides to anyone who needs them. Other community-spirited events throughout the year include a <a href="https://www.ourburystedmunds.com/events/spring-fayre/">Spring Fayre</a>, a <a href="https://burystedmundsbeerfestival.com/">Beer &amp; Cider Festival</a> inside the cathedral, and a special Bury-specific panto put on by the <a href="https://theatreroyal.org/events/aladdin-panto-2024/">Theatre Royal</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="563" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/06/ickworth.jpg" alt="the rotunda at Ickworth house bury st edmunds " class="wp-image-26898" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/06/ickworth.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/06/ickworth-800x450.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/06/ickworth-400x225.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/06/ickworth-900x507.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ickworth House</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth">Ickworth House</a> is one of the National Trust&#8217;s most stunning properties and the park is a wonderful place to walk off lunch in the Orangery. Smell something funny? The <a href="https://www.greeneking.co.uk/our-beers/brewery-tours-beer-cafe/">Greene King Brewery</a> is a landmark in the town; it offers tours and the fermentation scents the town&#8217;s air – no wonder the people who live here are constantly happy! The town&#8217;s main attraction though is <a href="https://stedscathedral.org/">St Edmunsbury Cathedral</a> (free entry although we recommend the tower tour for a tenner) and abbey ruins. The beautiful abbey gardens host many events throughout the year (bonfire night, food and drink fairs) but with a play area, café, aviary and stunning floral displays, they are worth a visit at any time of year. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/theatre-royal.jpg" alt="inside view of the theatre royal bury st Edmunds " class="wp-image-17929" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/theatre-royal.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/theatre-royal-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/theatre-royal-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2020/08/theatre-royal-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Theatre Royal</figcaption></figure>



<p>Having a Jane Austen moment? Bury is home to the only surviving Regency playhouse in Britain, <a href="https://www.theatreroyal.org">The Theatre Royal</a>, where you can see all the latest shows in an amazing setting. If modern architecture is more your bag, check out <a href="https://www.theapex.co.uk">The Apex</a>, a brilliant purpose-built space that hosts nationwide touring shows as well as community events. In the marketplace you&#8217;ll find <a href="https://www.moyseshall.org">Moyse&#8217;s Hall Museum</a>, which has fascinating exhibitions – recent shows included work by Banksy and a Quentin Blake exhibition. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-price"><strong>AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</strong></h2>



<p>Above the national average, but not too eye-watering considering the lovely location at £329,663. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/38693_BSE170253_IMG_00_0000.jpeg" alt="red brick town house for sale in Bury St Edmunds " class="wp-image-42268" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/38693_BSE170253_IMG_00_0000.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/38693_BSE170253_IMG_00_0000-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/38693_BSE170253_IMG_00_0000-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/38693_BSE170253_IMG_00_0000-400x267.jpeg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bury St Edmunds has some stunning town houses lining its historical streets and this one with four bedrooms and a coach house <a href="https://www.bedfords.co.uk/cgi-bin/properties-for-sale/summary-details.pl?propID=38693_BSE170253">could be yours for £845,000</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p>There are plenty of childcare options including the Ofsted Outstanding <a href="https://littleacornschildcare.org">Little Acorns Childcare</a> on Oakes Road, <a href="https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/our-nurseries/bury-st-edmunds-day-nursery-and-preschool">Bright Horizons Nursery</a> on Tassel Road which is Ofsted rated Good, and the <a href="https://www.busybeeschildcare.co.uk/nursery/westsuffolknhs">Busy Bees Day Nursery</a> at The West Suffolk Hospital off Hardwick Lane.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools"><strong>SCHOOLS</strong></h2>



<p>Good independents include the pastorally strong <a href="https://www.southlee.co.uk">South Lee</a>, which we can personally vouch for, and <a href="https://www.culford.co.uk">Culford School</a>, four miles north of the town, which is known for its amazing facilities and excellence in sports. For a more of a rural vibe, check out <a href="https://suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/kids-school-reviews-old-buckenham-hall-suffolk/">Old Buckenham Hall</a> Prep School, with its amazing grounds and family-first ethos. A bit further afield, but manageable daily via a school bus, is the independent <a href="https://www.ipswichhighschool.co.uk">Ipswich High School</a>, an academically high-achieving school in incredible grounds, and the <a href="https://www.royalhospitalschool.org/">Royal Hospital School</a>, a stately institution with strong sports and music departments. <a href="http://orwellpark.co.uk">Orwell Park School</a>, a nurturing prep school near Ipswich with brilliant facilities, is on a bus route from Bury St Edmunds.</p>



<p>Good state primaries include <a href="https://www.st-edmunds.suffolk.sch.uk/">St Edmund&#8217;s Catholic Primary School</a>, <a href="https://snobe.co.uk/schools/guildhall-feoffment-community-primary-school">Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School</a> and <a href="https://snobe.co.uk/schools/westgate-community-primary-school-and-nursery">Westgate Community Primary School and Nursery</a> and for secondary, <a href="https://www.king-ed.suffolk.sch.uk/">King Edward VI School</a> and <a href="https://snobe.co.uk/schools/bury-st-edmunds-county-upper-school">Bury St Edmunds County Upper School</a>. The <a href="https://snobe.co.uk/schools/priory-school-5">Priory School</a> is rated Outstanding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret"><strong>BEST KEPT SECRET</strong></h2>



<p>Charles Dickens, who set part of <em>The Pickwick Papers</em> here and enjoyed stays at the <a href="https://www.theangel.co.uk">Angel Hotel</a>, described Bury St Edmunds as a &#8216;handsome town of thriving and cleanly experience&#8217;, and we wholeheartedly agree. It&#8217;s also home to the UK&#8217;s smallest pub &#8211; <a href="https://www.thenutshellpub.co.uk">The Nutshell</a>, which can fit about 10 customers at a squeeze. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute"><strong>COMMUTE</strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s 63 miles and 1 hr 38 mins by rail from Bury St Edmunds to London Liverpool Street – not&nbsp;direct, you need to change at Stowmarket. Commuters tend to head into Cambridge, which is 28 miles away and easily accessed via train or the A14. </p>



<p><em>View the full <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Places to Live</a>.</em></p>


Bury St Edmunds

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