The Abbey of St Edmund:
A Millennium of English History in West Suffolk

We are delighted that The National Lottery Heritage Fund bid has awarded a £730k grant for the development phase of our project The Abbey of St Edmund: A Millennium of English History in West Suffolk.

This is a partnership project with West Suffolk Council and English Heritage. Made possible by National Lottery players, the project aims to conserve and protect the Abbey ruins; build a visitor centre and west cloister on the Cathedral site, and a network of footpaths both here and around the Abbey; and use digital technology to provide exciting interpretation for all ages and interests.

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There will be a huge range of learning and volunteering activities built around events, programmes and exhibitions. The project will link up with other heritage attractions nearby and further afield, giving communities and visitors more opportunities to access the rich heritage of our town and county.

We will be working closely with the community, especially the Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership (which comprises 29 organisations and individuals who care about the Abbey), to develop this project over the next two years.

This is the beginning of a very exciting chapter for St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage as we work together to deliver the project The Abbey of St Edmund: A Millennium of English History in West Suffolk.

Click here to see a summary of the project
Click here to see the RIBA 1 Report
Click here to see RIBA 1 Report Appendix (historic ruins)
Click here to see The Abbey of St Edmund Conservation Plan 2018
Click here to see The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Assessment 2018
Click here to see the Outline Activity Plan
Click here to see the Outline Volunteer Plan

Click here for more news on the project, including job opportunities.

(L-R: Damien Parker, Service Manager, Green Space and Heritage at West Suffolk Council; Alan Baxter, Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership; The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral; Alex Sydney, Property Development Director at English Heritage; Sarah-Jane Allison, COO of St Edmundsbury Cathedral; The Reverend Canon Matthew Vernon, Sub Dean of St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Chair of the Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership)