Back to Blogs
Discover
Abbey of St Edmund project gains Lottery funding.
A project to better protect and present what was once the ancient Abbey of St Edmund in Bury St Edmunds has gained crucial National Lottery funding.
The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership has successfully secured £9,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The Heritage Partnership last year commissioned a Heritage Assessment and a Conservation Plan. The two studies, which have been funded by Historic England and St Edmundsbury Borough Council, are due to be published in the autumn.
It is likely that the two studies will identify projects to improve the Abbey, so it’s importance is not only better understood and enjoyed by local residents and tourists alike, but is also protected for generations to come.
The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund will help prepare for the work that will take place after those studies are completed, by enabling the Heritage Partnership to develop organisational capacity and establish an independent not-for-profit organisation. It will also be used to procure management consultancy, skills training and IT equipment and to enable lessons to be learned from the success of another project at a former Benedictine Abbey elsewhere in the country.
That in turn will mean that it will be better positioned to raise funds in the future while also developing the capacity required to deliver on major heritage and education projects.
One of the more immediate projects the group is part of is planning celebrations to take place in 2020*, to mark 1000 years since the Abbey was founded by King Cnut.
The Abbey was the second largest Romanesque Church in England in 1090 (after Winchester). Edmund was Patron Saint of the English from 1095 to 1220.
The Heritage Partnership is led by St Edmundsbury Cathedral in collaboration with St Edmundsbury Borough Council and a number of other local and regional public, private and voluntary organisations.
The Reverend Canon Matthew Vernon from St Edmundsbury Cathedral, chairman of the Heritage Partnership, said: “The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership is delighted that its application to the Heritage Lottery Fund ‘Resilient Heritage’ programme has been approved. This will enable us to develop our organisational capabilities to ‘gear up’ to act on the results of the two current consultancy studies which will be reporting in the autumn and to develop our preparations for the millennium celebrations of the foundation of the Abbey of St Edmund by King Cnut in 1020 AD.”
Cllr Joanna Rayner, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: “It is brilliant to have the backing of the Heritage Lottery Fund. This exciting work is really about recognising how important this town and the Abbey once was, what lies behind the story of the ruins and the beautiful landscape that attracts more than a million visits each year. It is about celebrating that history and heritage that make us proud to say we love where we live.”
*The abbey 1000 celebrations were moved to 2022, due to the Covid pandemic. More information on the celebrations can be found at our Abbey 1000 Guide.
Related Posts
Related Blogs

News
St Edmundsbury Cathedral…
St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds is…

News
Bury St Edmunds & Beyond…
Step inside many of Bury St Edmunds historic buildings…

News
Bury's Best Pubs with a Past
some notable, historic and somewhat quirky pubs and…

News
UnLondon in Bury St Edmunds
Escape the rat race and hop on board with Greater…

News
Days Out You Can Enjoy From…
There’s even more to explore on Bury St Edmunds’…
Latest news

News
Autumn in Bury St Edmunds
From pumpkins to falling leaves and from ghost stories to trails, this is the only guide you'll need this autumn in Bury St Edmunds!

News
Tea with a View
Whether it's the hustle bustle of people watching, a breath-taking vista or the wonder of a historic setting, there are plenty of captivating places for tea with a view in Bury St Edmunds and beyond.

News
St Edmundsbury Cathedral Launches 2026 Dogs in the Cathedral Calendar
St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds is celebrating being a dog-friendly Cathedral once again with the launch of the 2026 Dogs in the Cathedral Calendar.

News
Where to Go Pumpkin Picking in Bury St Edmunds This Autumn
Autumn fun, fresh air, and fields full of pumpkins in and around Bury St Edmunds — what more could you need?

News
Vote for Bury St Edmunds in the Dog Friendly UK Awards 2025
Last year we took home the UK's Most Dog Friendly Town Award. Can we do it again in 2025?

News
Keaton’s Batman the star in exciting new exhibition
The iconic cowl created for Michael Keaton in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman is coming to Bury St Edmunds!
News
Autumn Theatre Guide
As the evenings draw in and autumn heads this way, there’s something irresistible about a cosy night out at the theatre.

News
Bury St Edmunds & Beyond Heritage Open Days
Step inside many of Bury St Edmunds historic buildings this September with Heritage Open Days...

News
Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides Receive TripAdvisor Award
Tour Guides have been awarded the Travellers’ Choice distinction by Tripadvisor which again puts them in the top 10% of things to do worldwide.