Bury Saint Edmunds

Medieval streets wind past honey-coloured Georgian buildings in this proper Suffolk market town, where England's patron saint once held court. Edmund was crowned here in 855AD, and his legacy still draws pilgrims to the magnificent abbey ruins that dominate the town centre.

Bury St Edmunds Abbey remains the star attraction - these Norman remnants tell the story of one of medieval England's most powerful monasteries. The adjacent Abbey Gardens provide a lovely spot for a picnic, while St Edmundsbury Cathedral towers over the town's compact grid of streets. Don't miss the quirky Pillar of Salt traffic sign, a local landmark that's become something of an Instagram favourite.

Wandering through the town centre reveals Georgian facades housing independent shops and traditional pubs. The Theatre Royal, one of the last surviving Regency playhouses, puts on cracking productions throughout the year. For a breather, the Harold Bonnett Sensory Garden offers fragrant herbs and colourful blooms just off the main shopping streets.

Beyond the medieval core, Saxon Gate Nature Reserve provides woodland walks and birdwatching opportunities. It's a short trek from the centre but well worth it for families wanting to stretch their legs after exploring the historic sites.

Getting here is straightforward - the train station connects directly to Cambridge and Ipswich, while the A14 brings drivers from most directions. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like West Stow Pods puts you within easy reach of both the town's attractions and the broader Suffolk countryside, including Thetford Forest and the pretty villages scattered across this corner of East Anglia.