Bury Saint Edmunds

Two breweries within striking distance tell you everything about this corner of Suffolk. Bartrams Brewery and Drinkstone Ales keep the tradition alive in a market town that's been brewing proper ales for centuries. The streets around the abbey ruins still hum with that particular energy of a place that's always been important - first as a medieval pilgrimage site, now as a regional hub that's retained its character.

Walk these Georgian streets and you'll understand why Edmund became a saint here. The abbey gardens provide a lovely green heart to the town, while the cathedral stands as one of England's finest examples of medieval architecture. But it's the surrounding countryside that really rewards exploration. Village signs dot the landscape like medieval waymarkers - Troston, Great Barton, Hessett - each marking communities that have watched over these Suffolk fields for a thousand years.

Felshamhall Wood offers proper woodland walking, part of a network of ancient forests including Free Wood and Tinkers' Wood that once covered much of East Anglia. The 94th Bomb Group Control Tower stands as a stark reminder of when American airmen flew from these flat Suffolk fields during the war.

Staying at one of the nearby parks puts you right in the heart of this landscape without the hassle of town centre parking. West Stow Pods offers modern glamping, while traditional sites like Kings Forest Caravan & Camping Park keep things simple. The A14 provides easy access from Cambridge or Ipswich, making this an ideal base for exploring both the Brecks and the Suffolk coast. You're close enough for day trips but far enough out to appreciate the peace of rural Suffolk.