Learn the remarkable history of Bury St Edmunds Abbey

You’ll feel mesmerised by the stunning remains of the abbey, once known as one of the more powerful and rich monasteries in England.

Enjoy the luscious green gardens and breathtaking architecture as you roam around the site, in awe of its history, beauty, and the events that took place here.

What’s the abbey’s story?

The abbey was founded in the early 10th-century, and the remains you’ll see on your trip are the 14th-century Norman Tower and the Great Gate that you enter the site through.

Both are incredibly grand, but the Gate has to be the best feature to survive these centuries.

The Norman Tower is where original access to the abbey was made and dates to early to mid-11th-century.

Maintenance in the Victorian times restored the tower to its magnificent glory, and as you move ahead, you’ll find what used to be the west front of Bury St Edmunds Abbey which was completed in the 13th-century by Abbot Samson.

Also known as Samson of Tottington, he added three towers to the abbey: one great central tower, and two octagonal towers sitting on either side.

But it was in the 14th-century when trouble arose – riots took place in the summer of 1327 due to poor relationships with the residents of Bury St Edmunds, and trouble continued well into the 15th-century.

Soak up the history

We think you should take a few moments to stop and reflect.

Roll out a picnic blanket and tuck into some homemade treats, the gorgeous views of the abbey as your backdrop, thinking about all the future trips you’ll make here.

Another marvellous place to retreat is in front of the St Edmund statue, on the west front of the abbey church.

Stand completely still, the sound of other excited visitors in the distance, and picture what living through the gripping historical times at the abbey must have been like.

You’ll also imagine the happier times when Henry VI visited in 1433 for Christmas and stayed for four months, and the abbey’s political importance in the 15th-century.

But you’ll want to keep exploring the story behind Bury St Edmunds Abbey.

It’s not just a place to go for a leisurely stroll – the history and outstanding remains will leave you feeling inspired to share this experience with your loved ones.