Bury St Edmunds named among best market towns in Britain

Bury St Edmunds was among the top 12 places chosen by the national newspaper The Telegraph. 

The town, which was also given the award by The Times and Daily Mail earlier this year, was commended for its "impressive religious remnants" and "fancy Wetherspoons".  

Travel journalist Sarah Baxter said: "Bury ticks many boxes, not least its fine old Corn Exchange (now the fanciest Wetherspoons).

"The Corn Exchange at Bury St Edmunds, which is now a JD Wetherspoon pub."

The Corn Exchange in Bury St Edmunds (Image: Phil Morley) The Telegraph writer added: "But most impressive are its religious remnants, both St Mary’s Church, resting place of Henry VIII’s sister, and St Edmundsbury Cathedral– yes, a cathedral, but Bury hasn’t applied for city status.

"The cathedral sits within the precinct of the once-mighty Benedictine abbey, where St Edmund’s relics were buried and where the Barons met before the Magna Carta. The ruins are free to roam."

Bury St Edmunds is blessed with a rich history, with artefacts dating back over 10,000 years recently being discovered in the town. 

It was also named the foodie capital of the county in 2023 with the likes of The Olive Grove, Francela, Rustico, Queen's Bar and Grill, Edis of Ely and Peck bringing in hungry customers from across East Anglia. 

Paddington Bear was unveiled in Bury St Edmunds town centre on Tuesday. (Image: Lucy Taylor)

On Tuesday, one of the nation's most treasured characters made his appearance in Bury St Edmunds town centre as part of a national trail ahead of a new film. 

Paddington Bear statues have been put in place in various locations across the UK and Ireland to mark Paddington In Peru hitting cinema screens on November 8. 

Fans of the marmalade loving bear will be able to see the statue in the town's arc shopping centre.