Bury St Edmunds

Open spaces to visit in and around the Suffolk town 

With a desire to spend more time in open spaces the countryside, parks and gardens in and around Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk offer much to explore, with several places you can explore for free. Offering lots of space these include West Stow Country Park, Nowton Park, National Trust Ickworth Park and Gardens, the gardens at Kentwell Hall and the Abbey Gardens. Stay overnight when we can travel again.

West Stow Country Park

Surrounding a recreated Anglo Saxon Village and with 125 acres of unspoilt countryside, trails, heath and woodland walks, there is plenty to explore for free at West Stow Country Park, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. 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. Perfect for picnics on sunny days, energetic winter walks or an evening stroll, the park also welcomes dogs, provided they are kept on a lead. www.weststow.org/Country-Park. (Currently the park is open and free to visit – but the children's playground and Anglo Saxon Village are closed until further notice; when open it carries an entrance fee).

Nowton Park

With over 200 acres of landscaped gardens to explore for free, Nowton Park is the ideal place for a walk on a sunny day. Get lost in the hornbeam maze, which is shaped like a giant, stylised oak tree. Here some 2,500 hornbeam trees provide over two miles of hedging, maintained at a height of around two metres. The centre of the maze is marked by a fastigiate oak (with upright branches), so if you lose your companions it's a good place to meet up. Nature lovers can visit the unique arboretum which is home to trees from around the world such as eucalyptus from Australia, paperbark maple from China and Kentucky coffee trees from North America. A panda was carved in 1998 and placed in the China region along with some bamboo to add to the vision of this geographical area. There is also a dragon that was carved from a cedar tree that was growing in the park but was struck by lightning. A totem pole stands 35.4ft (10.8m) tall near the centre of the North American region of the arboretum carved from a western red cedar, which is the species traditionally favoured by Native Americans for their totem poles. There is also a large play area, plus two football pitches and space for a picnic. www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/leisure/Parks/nowton-park.cfm

 National Trust Ickworth House, Park and Gardens

The tranquil park and gardens surrounding the National Trust's Georgian Italianate Ickworth House, near Bury St Edmunds are open for visitors to explore. Take a picnic, see the walled garden and seasonal meadow, both especially magical during the summer. Tickets for the park and gardens have reduced availability and must be prebooked in advance to ensure safe distancing; National Trust members have free entry. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth. (The house, shop and café are currently closed until further notice).

Kentwell Hall

Located on the edge of the pretty village of Long Melford, Kentwell Hall is not only a stunning period house and garden, but it's also a lived-in and much-loved family home with its story beginning over 500 years ago. Built originally by local wealthy wool merchants, Kentwell Hall has undergone several restorations by a succession of owners but has retained its original essence as a Tudor home. Now open, the 30 acres of gardens are a haven of peace offering tranquil breathing space with romantic moats, extensive lawns, walled gardens, massive clipped yews, espaliered fruit trees and giant cedars. A mass of wild flowers, including pyramid orchids, take over the tennis court lawns, and the mixed border beds in the Walled Garden and the Sunken Garden are a riot of colour.  The herb garden is flourishing and the moat walls are draped with roses. Book entry tickets in advance.  www.kentwell.co.uk. (The house is currently closed until further notice).

Abbey Gardens

If you do visit the town itself, the free entry Abbey Gardens in the heart of Bury St Edmunds has plenty of space for families. Take a step back in time and wander around the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund founded 1,000 years ago in 1020 by King Canute and head to the wildlife feeding area where you can get up close to some of Suffolk's native birds and animals. Bring your own picnic too.  www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/directory/abbey-gardens. (The children's playground is currently closed until further notice).

Where to stay out of the town centre:

Opening dates subject to government guidelines yet to be confirmed:

The Ickworth Hotel from around £119 B&B per night for two sharing

www.ickworthhotel.com Tel: 01284 735350.

The combination of Ickworth's spectacular architecture and 1,800 acres of parkland to play in and explore, surely makes this one of the most remarkable family hotels in the UK. But don't be daunted by the impressive facade; Ickworth blends a relaxed, welcoming style with the traditions of a great country house and is perfect for all the family to unwind and treat as their own. Part of the wider Ickworth Estate in Suffolk, guests have access to the National Trust owned property – great for exploring on bikes or on foot. Ickworth offers a successful blend of contemporary style with the traditions of a great country house. There are 27 rooms in the main hotel – 21 are decorated in the traditional style you would expect, but six are modern and chic – so take your pick. They range from standard doubles to interconnecting rooms and suites. The Dower House, with 11 apartments, is perfect for those with an independent spirit; just 800 yards from the hotel, it offers spacious accommodation within its own four acres of gardens.

Swan at Lavenham Hotel and Spa from around £143 B&B per night for two sharing

www.theswanatlavenham.co.uk Tel: 01787 247477

In a village location the 15th century Swan at Lavenham Hotel is steeped in centuries of history. With its half-timbered picture perfect exterior, luxurious surroundings, oak beamed interiors, open fires and cosy nooks, the hotel offers a mix of classic and contemporary styling. Guests can choose from a range of dining options from informal eating in the contemporary style Brasserie to fine dining in the elegant Gallery restaurant. The relaxed Airmen's Bar is full of Second World War memorabilia from the United States Army Airforce who were stationed nearby. In warmer times you can also enjoy lunch, afternoon tea or cocktails in the sheltered gardens and hidden courtyard. (Weavers' House Spa is currently closed).

The Windmill – luxury self-catering from £725 for two nights (minimum two night stay)

www.thewindmillsuffolk.com Tel: 01284 828458

Enjoy a relaxing adult-only stay for up to four guests at the Windmill Suffolk, one of the UK's most unique and luxurious self-catering holiday accommodations located seven miles from Bury St Edmunds. Built in 1891 the converted Windmill offers uninterrupted panoramic views from the comfy top floor living space with its external balcony. The opulent marble and mosaic shell bathroom features a freestanding oversized oval bath and a walk-in monsoon rain shower both big enough for two, while the kitchen is beautifully equipped with a fridge/freezer, dishwasher, electric oven and hob, microwave, washer/dryer and a Nespresso coffee machine. Set in over an acre of land, the Windmill has a private secluded garden, ample  parking and secure storage for bicycles.

Upthorpe Lodges – self-catering eco lodges from £419 for three nights for two

www.upthorpelodges.co.uk Tel:  01359 250939

Four contemporary lodges with eco credentials set in the Suffolk countryside near Stanton, close to Bury St Edmunds. For couples only, each one-bedroom lodge is individually styled with its own private garden, south-facing sun deck and hot tub. For dining in, the kitchen is fully equipped, enough to satisfy the keenest of cooks, while all lodges have wi-fi, a king-size bed, large shower and smart TV (with Netflix). Created without undue impact on the environment, the timber construction is from FSC accredited sources clad with Western Red Cedar from British Columbia, a highly durable and long-lasting wood that has been treated with Osmo oil. Solar panels on each roof generate electricity and underfloor heating and hot water are supplied via 9kw air source heat pumps. Waste water is biologically treated, while triple glazing and LED lighting is used throughout the well-insulated lodges.

West Stow Pods – glamping site from £215 for three nights in a MegaPod and £525 in Pod Hollow for two people

www.weststowpods.co.uk  Tel: 01284 728136

West Stow Pods is a small, family run glamping and self-catering site in a tranquil woodland setting on the edge of the King's Forest in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, around four miles from Bury St Edmunds. Created in 2013 by Jan and Ed Lengyel, the site offers a range of accommodation including four cosy MegaPods, two Woodland Lodges and their star attraction, Pod Hollow; a halfling-inspired subterranean dwelling nestled in the side of a grassy knoll. West Stow Pods are close to Lackford Lakes nature reserve and West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village Country Park. Pets welcome. 

For more information about where to stay and things to see and do around Bury St Edmunds visit www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk.

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For press enquiries, images or to arrange a review visit please contact:

Pat Edgar, PR Matters

Tel: 01494 764932 / 07836 786043

Email: PRMatters@talktalk.net  

Sue Warren, Brand and Marketing Manager for Bury St Edmunds and Beyond

Email: sue.warren@burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk

June 2020