Bury St Edmunds Suffolk’s little gem

This market town is a tourist’s treasure trove.

One of the most delightful parts of the little gem that is Suffolk is Bury St Edmunds.

Particularly alluring is Angel Hill a charming area surrounded by the entrance to the cathedral grounds, the Athenaeum and a range of other splendid buildings of this beautiful, historic East Anglian town.

No visit to Bury is complete without the magnificent St Edmundsbury Cathedral and its wonderful Abbey Gardens.

The death of Edmund, King of the East Angles, at the hands of the Danes in 869 led to the building of an abbey to house his remains. St James’ Church was built within the precincts of the Abbey, becoming a cathedral in 1914.

Abbey Gardens were created in 1831 following the pattern of the Royal Botanical Gardens in Brussels and the ruins of the vast 11th Century Benedictine abbey are in the centre.

The gardens provide a chance to wander in peaceful surroundings and marvel at the fabulous floral creations. There’s a cafe and an aviary which is well worth seeing too.

Another fascinating building in Bury is St Mary’s Church, close to the cathedral. It’s the resting place of Mary Tudor, favourite sister of King Henry VIII, and one of the largest parish churches in the country.

If culture is your thing, then the town has a real gem. Bury Theatre Royal is the country’s last Regency playhouse and the only UK theatre under the wing of the National Trust.

The town also has another important regional venue, The Apex.

If you wander around the town you’ll soon find the right place for a coffee and a bite or a more substantial meal.

One string to the town’s bow is that it has Britain’s smallest pub. If you fancy a drink and, shall we say aren’t keen on being too intimate with others, you may want to stay away from the Nutshell. But it is an intriguing place for no more than about 15 people at a time.

Bury Market on the Buttermarket and Corn Hill is open Wednesdays and Saturdays and maintains the great tradition and atmosphere of a town market. There are about 80 stalls selling everything from fruit and veg to local cheeses to meats and fish.

I’m not a great shopper but if you are, Bury has a blend of quirky boutiques in and around St John’s Street and an impressive new complex of stores called The Arc.

Just travel a few miles out of Bury to the village of Horringer and you find the stunning neoclassical National Trust property at Ickworth.

The house has an amazing rotunda and is steeped in history, and comes with an extensive collection of paintings.

You can explore acres of parkland and a stunning architectural oddity, with a story to match as the family that owned it has a chequered past that is guaranteed to be worse than your own family of that I can assure you!

Sex, drugs and rock n roll . . . seriously, it’s all here!

In 1998, the 7th Marquess sold the remaining lease to the National Trust, partly for funds and partly to ward off an eviction action based on his behaviour as a tenant. He died in 1999, having spent virtually all of his inherited fortune.

Visit and you can see how one eccentric man’s passion for art, Italy and having a party or two led to the creation of this remarkable house and its renowned collection of paintings, portraits, furniture and other treasures.

Through the ‘Ickworth Lives’ project you can learn about the servants and workers who kept this country estate running.

Discover what ‘upstairs downstairs’ domestic life was really like in the new innovative display of the servants’ quarters in the Rotunda basement.

If you like Downtown Abbey, you will LOVE Ickworth. Let your imagination run riot as you stroll in one of England’s finest Italianate gardens, and don’t forget to explore the intriguing Stumpery whilst you’re there.

I chose to stay at the Ickworth Hotel, the east wing of the mansion, where the staff are very friendly and the food and wine of the highest standard. Set within 1,800 acres of beautiful parkland, its one of the UK’s most comfortable luxury family hotels.

Every effort to keep the little ones happy is made with excellent kiddies’ high teas. Take your pick from 27 bedrooms, decorated in either elegantly traditional or chic and modern style.

And for those with an independent spirit, The Lodge at Ickworth is perfect. It offers 11 apartments ideal for large families, groups or exclusive-use events, all set within its own four-acre garden and just a short walk or cycle from the main hotel.

The hotel has a spa and swimming pool and it won’t break the bank. You can stay at The Ickworth Hotel from just £249 for two nights on a bed & breakfast basis, with a three course candlelight dinner for two on one night.

They often have special deals. See www.ickworthhotel.co.uk or tel 01284 735350.