Days out to Bury St. Edmunds

Explore from your base at Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa, just 14 miles from Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk is an area with a rich and colourful history. So many things that have become part of the national way of life have their origins in the county. In the case of Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket, the area and the original lodge are synonymous with horseracing. Many of the guests who come to stay at Bedford Lodge for events such as the July Course, Newmarket Summer Saturdays and Tattersall’s sales. Equally, many of our guests come to stay at our luxury Suffolk hotel as it provides a chic-yet-comfortable centre for their visit to the region they call ‘the Curious County’ from which Newmarket is the perfect base.

bury-st-edmunds

One of the area’s richest seams of culture and history is Bury St Edmunds. A market town with its origins in the 10th Century, Bury St Edmunds was once home to a monastery, which is now the site of its beautiful Abbey Gardens. The town’s famous cathedral is one of the region’s grandest and draws guests from around the world to marvel at its architecture. The cathedral holds a range of events and festivals in addition to its function as a place of worship, so there is always something going on to appeal to visitors. See the latest events here: http://www.stedscathedral.co.uk/

This is just one landmark in a town of landmarks. Bury St Edmunds also boasts Britain’s smallest pub, The Nutshell. For a less crowded night out, the town also has a number of excellent bars and restaurants. Those seeking food for thought can take their pick from a range of galleries, museums and theatres, including the recently-refurbished Abbeygate Picture House, Moyse’s Museum and Smith’s Row, a gallery of local art, jewellery and ceramics. Each of these places has points of interest beyond its current use: Moyse’s Museum dates back to 1180 and Smith’s Row was designed by the noted architect Robert Adam.

The town is also justly famed for its fairs and markets. The twice-weekly provisions market dates back to the days of William the Conqueror and is one of the best in East Anglia. The Christmas and Whitsun Fayres are staples of the Bury calendar, with their mix of seasonal stalls, entertainment and food made from local produce. The 2013 Christmas Fayre (28th November – 1st December 2013) has been extended by a day to accommodate the upsurge in popularity in this, its tenth year.

A day spent absorbing all that history and culture can work wonders for the appetite, and a meal in Squires restaurant at Bedford Lodge Hotel is the perfect way to end a day spent exploring. With a diverse menu of dishes made using only locally-sourced ingredients and an extensive wine list, it’s easy to see why Squires is popular not just with guests but with casual visitors looking for fine dining in Suffolk. After your meal, you can relax in our Roxana Bar which, on cold days, benefits greatly from a roaring log fire, an original feature of the lodge from the 18th century- another bit of Suffolk history for you to enjoy…