St Edmundsbury Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, located in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. It stands on a site of Christian worship dating back over one thousand years and remains a living place of prayer, heritage, and community activity. Its ancient library contains 550 books from the 16th and 17th centuries.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral became a cathedral in 1914. Previously it was the Parish Church of St James. A church has stood on the site of the Cathedral since 1065. The building of the nave began in 1503 and the medieval chancel was replaced in 1711.
The Abbey of St Edmund, sometimes called Bury St Edmunds Abbey, is a ruined Benedictine monastery located within the Abbey Gardens adjacent to the Cathedral.
It started life as a round church, built to enshrine the remains of St Edmund, the martyred king of East Anglia, and grew into a powerful and wealthy Benedictine monastery.
Once one of England’s most powerful abbeys, it was an important site of international pilgrimage. The Magna Carta barons met there in 1214 and swore an oath to compel King John to accept the Charter of Liberties, a precursor to the Magna Carta. The town of Bury St Edmunds is known as the ‘Shrine of a King, Cradle of the Law.’
St Edmund was a 9th-century king of East Anglia who became a martyr after refusing to renounce his Christian faith when captured by Vikings. He was later canonised and became a symbol of Christian kingship and sacrifice in medieval England. He was venerated as a saint soon after and canonised, becoming a symbol of Christian kingship and sacrifice. He was England’s first patron saint.
The Abbey of St Edmund, also sometimes known as Bury St Edmunds Abbey, was founded by King Cnut in 1020, making it over one thousand years old.
Yes, both the Cathedral and the Abbey Gardens are open to the public. The Cathedral is free to enter (donations welcome), with guided tours and a restaurant on site. The Abbey Gardens are free to access and open daily, offering scenic ruins and family-friendly spaces.
The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project, (previously known as The Abbey of St Edmund: A Millennium of English History in West Suffolk) is a £9.9m project which will unite town, abbey and cathedral by conserving and protecting the Abbey ruins, building a visitor centre within a line of listed properties facing the town’s main public space, and improving the network of footpaths around the Abbey area. Made possible by National Lottery players, it will provide exciting interpretation and activities for all ages and interests.
St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage (the project partners) have come together as members of The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership (comprising 29 organisations and individuals who care about the Abbey) to develop and deliver this project. Find out more here.
We anticipate the visitor centre will open late 2028.
The Cathedral is open every day of the year for visits and worship. Some large services or events may take place during opening hours. More information on visiting can be found here.
The Abbey site, which is situated in the Abbey Gardens, is free to visit. The Abbey Gardens opening times change with the seasons:
Opening times are for the Abbeygate only. It takes staff time to close other park gates prior to the Abbeygate closure. There are swing boards and fixed signs giving details of each gate closure time.
Visiting by train:
Bury St Edmunds railway station is about a 15 minute walk from the Cathedral. You can find out more and plan your journey here.
Visiting by bike:
The Cathedral is part of the Cathedrals Cycle Route. . Find out more here. .
Yes, public car parks are available near the Cathedral and Abbey Gardens, including Angel Hill, Ram Meadow, and Parkway. Parking fees and time limits may apply. You can find out more here. There is no public parking available at the Cathedral.
Yes. The Cathedral offers guided tours led by experienced volunteers. Tours are seasonal, but include Cathedral floor tours, Tower Tours and Ancient Library Tours. You can also arrange private tours through our Visitor Experience Manager. You can email visits@stedscathedral.org to find out more.
Guided tours of the town, including the Abbey, are currently available from the Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides. For more information and to book, click here.
The Cathedral is wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets. You can find out more information here. Due to the nature of ancient buildings, there may be some areas (such as the Ancient Library) that are regrettably not currently accessible.
The Abbey Gardens have mostly level paths, though some areas near the ruins may be uneven. Part of the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project is making the whole Abbey site accessible.
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome at St Edmundsbury Cathedral! We might even have a treat for them when they arrive. Be sure to stop by the Cathedral Shop during your visit and pick up one of our Dogs in the Cathedral Calendars too!
Dogs are allowed in the Abbey Gardens and Abbey site, but must be kept on a lead.
Yes! The Cathedral hosts regular services, concerts, family-friendly activities, exhibitions, and seasonal events. For up-to-date service information, click here. For our upcoming events, click here.
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch or coffee and cake at Pilgrims’ Kitchen at the Cathedral. For opening times, please click here. There are also many eateries in the town within a few minutes’ walking distance of the Abbey Gardens.