The town has received national recognition for being among the best in Britain
A town under an hour’s drive from Cambridge has been named among the 20 best high streets in the country. The guide, written by the Telegraph, recognised the Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds for its historic charm, variety of food and drink, and an array of landmarks to visit.
For those looking to spend a day browsing unique stores and enjoying a leisurely lunch during the colder months, Bury St Edmunds could be a good destination to visit. Whilst you will of course find your typical High Street staples in this Suffolk town, there are also a range of independent shops and restaurants to explore.
The Telegraph said: “On St John’s Street, pop into Pocket Watch and Petticoats for vintage clothing and old-fashioned service to match, and Vinyl Hunter for one-off records.
“Closer to the cathedral, find moody Suffolk landscapes to grace a mantlepiece in the Hunter Gallery on Angel Hill, and a tasteful array of gifts at The Parsley Pot in Abbeygate Street. For food and drink, head to Hatter Street for artisan cheeses at The Cheese Hole or sip an espresso while choosing the perfect bottle of wine at Vino Gusto. Bury’s twice weekly market (held on Wednesday and Saturday) is a feast of seasonal local produce – fruit and veg, fish and meat, pickles, chutneys, honey, you name it.”
If you are looking to extend your trip, The Telegraph recommends staying at The Angel, where Charles Dickens is believed to have once stayed.
As well as its high street, Bury St Edunds also has the impressive 11th century St Edmundsbury Cathedral which is worth a visit. Here, you can look around the cathedral, take in the vaulted ceiling, glance at the cathedral being recreated out of Lego, or even take a tour.
Among other experiences, visitors can take a stroll through the Abbey Gardens where amid the water gardens you will find “the enigmatic ruins of a once-splendid Benedictine abbey and impressively intact medieval ruins like the Great Gate and gargoyle-encrusted Norman Tower,” The Telegraph said.
The full Telegraph list of what they have ranked as Britain’s 20 best high streets is available to view online.
