Award-winning podcast network History Hit celebrates Bury St Edmunds!

History Hit, an award-winning podcast network and online history channel, has profiled Bury St Edmunds' storied past in a new episode of its Gone Medieval podcast. The podcast talks about Bury St Edmunds' status as a significant and life-changing place of pilgrimage. In this episode of Gone Medieval, host, Dr. Cat Jarman is on location, exploring Bury St Edmunds’ landmarks, including what was one of the richest and largest Benedictine monasteries in England. She’s joined by archaeologist Adrian Tindall, Chair of the Bury St Edmunds Association of Registered Tour Guides.

You can listen to the fascinating podcast here: https://access.historyhit.com/gone-medieval/videos/discovering-bury-st-edmunds or find it on your podcast provider from 1 March 2022.

The discussion highlights many fascinating reasons to visit, and the exciting programme of events taking place from May onwards as part of the Abbey 1000 celebrations, including spectacles of light, pilgrimages, concerts, events in the park and tour guides putting on six special abbey tours. Visit our Abbey 1000 Guide to find out more!

With Cat and Adrian's rich commentary, and a little imagination, listeners will also be able to visualise medieval life in the town. Adrian explains how it is possible to look beyond the mosaic of old walls and 18th century houses, which have been built into the rear of the old abbey church, to see three archways and retrace the route that pilgrims and crowned princes would have taken. Whilst the central doorway may no longer be covered in stunning beaten bronze, the podcast nevertheless will leave listeners longing to visit what was once a stunning sight at the end of a pilgrimage.

The podcast also highlights the spectacular ruins of the Chapter House, which suffered at the hands of Henry VIII, the Holocaust Memorial Gardens, the so-called 'Chicken and the kettle' and the stirring bronze statue of St Edmund by sculptor and local Dame Elisabeth Frink.

History Hit listeners may already be familiar with our historic town, with other episodes including 'Saint Edmund: England's Lost King" or the town’s mention during the hunt for the 'Viking Great Heathen Army' on Dan Snow's History Hit.