20 Attractions to Explore Near Abbey Gardens

St Edmundsbury Cathedral is the cathedral for the Church of England's Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. It is the seat of the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich and is in Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. Originating in the 11th century, it was rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries as a parish church and became a cathedral in 1914; it has been considerably enlarged in recent decades.

This beautiful medieval museum in the heart of Bury St Edmunds houses rich and eclectic collections and changing exhibitions, and hosts events ranging from themed craft workshops for all the family to historical talks and lectures. Discover local history collections from medieval times to the 20th century, featuring the history of the town and its development, crime and punishment, witchcraft, the Suffolk Regiment Gallery, a permanent collection of clocks, timepieces and fine art, and a programm

Nowton Park, on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds, consists of almost 200 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside landscaped over 100 years ago. There are walking routes that vary from a short stroll to a long ramble round the perimeter of the park. You can explore the arboretum which features trees from all around the world, as well as beautiful wildflower meadows and ponds full of wildlife. One of the beautiful location where you can spend some good time.

Ickworth House is a country house near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England. It is a neoclassical building set in parkland. The house was the residence of the Marquess of Bristol before being sold to the National Trust in 1998. The house, built between 1795 and 1829, was formerly the chief dwelling of an estate owned by the Hervey family, later Marquesses of Bristol, since 1467. It was one of the iconic attraction in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.

West Stow Country Park comprises of 125 acres of unspoilt countryside to explore, including trails, Site of Special Scientific Interest heathland and woodland walks. For wildlife enthusiasts there are two bird hides and a bird feeding area as well as a lake and the River Lark with all the life that this attracts. Also a god trekign destination and also it offers opportunities for some adventures too.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village is an archaeological site and an open-air museum located near to West Stow in Suffolk, eastern England. A beautiful place with 125 acres of unspoilt countryside, trails, heath and woodland walks, there is plenty to explore at West Stow Country Park. Oneo f the iconic location where you can spend some nice time in the middle of nature and history.

Bradfield Woods is a working wood that is unique as it has been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252, fulfilling local needs for firewood and hazel products. These woods have a history of coppicing dating to before 1252, producing a very high diversity of flora, with over 370 plant species recorded. Uncommon woodland flowers include oxlip, herb paris and ramson. There is also a rich variety of fungi, with two species not recorded elsewhere in Britain.

Giffords Hall is a family owned vineyard planted on the site of an ancient glacial riverbed near Long Melford in Suffolk. THeir sandy/clay soil produces quality grapes, high in natural sugars and acids, that lend themselves particularly well to both sparkling and dry, aromatic still wines. Their wines have a delicate floral character very typical of the region. Their vines’ condition is excellent because of the hard work of the professional team working at the winery.

Euston Hall is a red-brick Georgian country house, the home of the Duke of Grafton. The house that we see today is only a wing of a much larger house which was destroyed in a devastating fire in 1902. Apart from the Hall, visitors can enjoy the landscaped park and formal gardens, as well as the Capability Brown-designed waterways, the charming Church of St Genevieve, the watermill and an interesting collection of agricultural bygones in our small exhibition room.

Lavenham Guildhall, is a remarkable and historically significant building that provides a fascinating glimpse into the region's medieval past. As a well-preserved example of a 16th-century guildhall, it stands as a testament to the prosperous wool trade that once thrived in the area.Its construction dates back to the late 16th century, and it served as the meeting place for the influential and wealthy wool merchants and traders who were members of the Lavenham Guild of Corpus Christi.

Lavenham Guildhall is properly known as the Guildhall of Corpus Christi and is one of the finest timber-framed buildings in England. The building dates from around 1530 built on the back of the boom of the cloth industry in the early 16th Century. Originally built as a religious meeting place for wealthy Catholic merchants, the Guildhall has also been used as a prison, a workhouse, a pub, a chapel and a social club for US troops stationed nearby during the Second World War

Kentwell Hall is one of the finest moated Tudor Houses in England, set in over 25 acres of its own gardens and parkland, with numerous historic buildings. Kentwell is not just a house but a family home that has been saved and renovated over the years and offers an interesting mix of periods within what is still an essentially Tudor layout.

Melford Hall is a stately home in the village of Long Melford, Suffolk, England. It is the ancestral seat of the Parker Baronets. The hall was mostly constructed in the 16th century, incorporating parts of a medieval building held by the abbots of Bury St Edmunds which had been in use since before 1065. It has similar roots to nearby Kentwell Hall. It passed from the abbots during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and was later granted by Queen Mary to Sir William Cordell.

The Dad's Army Museum is a museum located in Cage Lane in Thetford in Norfolk, England, dedicated to the popular BBC comedy series Dad's Army. Many of the outdoor locations were filmed in the local area. The museum is housed in the old fire station at the rear of Thetford Guildhall, which itself stood in for Walmington-on-Sea Town Hall in several of the episodes.

Ancient House is a fascinating museum of Thetford life, housed in an attractive, half-timbered, Tudor merchant's house. The museum tells the fascinating history of Thetford and the Brecks region, through displays of industrial heritage, archaeology, photos, costumes, arms and armour, social history, fine art, and natural history.

The Museum of East Anglian Life is the largest independent museum in Suffolk. The museum is an educational charity supporting the community. We care for over 40,000 objects – once the everyday items of East Anglian life. Its collection has a particular focus on the production of food and social history relating to it, reflective of the region’s strong agricultural character.

Clare Castle is a high-mounted ruinous medieval castle in the parish and former manor of Clare in Suffolk, England, anciently the caput of a feudal barony. It was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 by Richard Fitz Gilbert, having high motte and bailey and later improved in stone. The remains are a scheduled monument and a Grade II* listed building. They form the centrepiece of a public park.

Clare Castle Country Park is a beautiful quiet area to relax, play, get close to nature and learn about Clare's fascinating history and heritage. The park contains the remains of the 13th Century stone castle keep set upon its 60ft high motte overlooking the town and its inner and outer baileys, which are ideal areas for recreation and picnics.

Palace House in Newmarket is home to The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art. It was built by James I in 1606-1610, so he could visit the area for hunting and hawking, the palace was further west on the High Street than the present palace site. One of the iconic attraction in this area and also a historically important place.

Brandon Country Park is a country park in Brandon, Suffolk, England. It comprises of wild landscape of dark forests, open heathlands, sandy soils and iconic belts of pine trees that straddles the Suffolk and Norfolk border. The park is open daily for visitors from dawn to dusk. The toilets and play areas are open, and the café is open for takeaway 10am-4.30pm daily.