Pilgrims have travelled to Bury St Edmunds for centuries to see where St Edmund, East Anglia's last Saxon King who died in 869, is buried. The abbey built on top of his grave became one of the most powerful medieval monasteries in Europe and today is a beautiful ruin surrounded by a peaceful park. The wealth of the market town was fed by the abbey’s visitors, and many of the buildings in the historic heart of the town are medieval, or half-timbered medieval buildings hidden behind elegant Georgian facades. You’ll find some of the best places to stay in Bury St Edmunds in its historic centre, but there are another couple of charmers: converted from a 17th century mill, and a National Trust property, which are just outside of town.

As well as St Edmund, people travel to Bury St Edmunds to visit the local breweries, one of which, Greene King, has been operating on the same spot close to the cathedral since 1799. Bury St Edmunds also has a cathedral, the ruins of an abbey, a number of important churches — one which houses the the remains of Mary Tudor — Britain’s only surviving Regency playhouse, and a number of very excellent public houses, making the best places to stay in Bury St Edmunds a great choice for mini-breakers, with an interest in all things ancient. This is clearly a historic town, but it’s also a lively market town, with an excellent collection of shops, boutiques, art galleries, and places to eat and drink.

The Best Places to Stay in Bury St Edmunds

For Families

• The Ickworth is a National Trust property, with a 27 room family friendly retreat and function centre. Its gardens include the 1800 acres of National Trust parkland and gardens, and the views are incredible. Inside the rooms and suites are well set up for families, with clever layouts and a free creche and babysitting service. There’s also a fantastic kids club and kids’ games room, and acres of grounds to explore. Dogs are welcome too.

For A Countryside Escape

• Tuddenham Mill is a converted water mill, just outside Bury St Edmunds. The original building dates from the 17th century, but the interiors are super stylish and contemporary, with white walls, stand-alone bath tubs, Starck-fitted bathrooms and Bose sound systems. Almost all of the 15 rooms have living space, and incredible views of the meadows around the property. The restaurant is fine-dining, spilling out onto a waterside alfresco area when the weather is fine.

In the Heart of Bury St Edmunds

• The Angel is an impressively historic, and ivy-clad hotel, right in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, opposite Abbey Gardens. It has 80 rooms and suites, in a good range of shapes and sizes, all decorated in classic yet contemporary style. The most romantic rooms have four-poster beds, and free-standing copper baths. All around the hotel are prints and original artworks, and there's a chic modern British restaurant, and a cool cocktail bar.
• The Northgate is a small and stylish choice, converted from a lovely mansion. Its ten rooms and suites are unfussy, but definitely stylish, with antique-style furnishings in pastel tones. Each of the rooms is individually designed, plus there’s an intimate restaurant, a chic cocktail bar and a sunny courtyard.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• If you’re travelling to Bury St Edmunds by air you have several choices: London Stansted Airport is closest, about fifty minutes away by car or taxi, or about an hour and fifty minutes on the train; Luton Airport is an hour and a quarter away by car or taxi, but three hours by public transport; and Heathrow is about an hour and forty minutes by car or taxi, or about three hours by train. There’s a good train service from London, it takes just approximately two hours by rail with one change.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Bury St Edmunds isn’t known for its climate, but it is known for its flowers — its displays and hanging baskets are usually at their best in late spring, or early summer. The Bury St Edmunds Food and Drink Festival is held on the August bank holiday weekend, and thousands of visitors converge on town for the 100 + food and drink stalls and cooking demonstrations. Autumn is a good time of year to visit for history tours, and St Edmunds Day is a good day to visit for lively celebrations and historical insights, his day is the 20th of November.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Cambridgeshire or Suffolk
• Consider other local centres e.g. the best places to stay in Cambridge or Newmarket
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.