Bury's Best Pubs with a Past

Located on Abbeygate Street, The Corn Exchange is one of the most architecturally striking pubs in Bury St Edmunds. Designed by Ellis and Woodard and completed in 1862, it was purpose-built as a hub for grain trading, one of many across the country created during the boom of Victorian agriculture, and the site itself has been used for trading since the 13th century.

You can’t miss the grand Classical façade, complete with Corinthian columns and a high-vaulted ceiling, creating a very dramatic backdrop for a casual pint! Over time, the building’s use has shifted with the town’s fortunes; it has even hosted skating, wrestling, and wartime public meetings.

Wetherspoons very sympathetically restored the building in 2011, carefully preserving its impressive interiors, re-using original materials wherever possible and reimagining it as a welcoming pub filled with historical information and plenty to look at. There’s a spacious bar, comfy seating areas, and the reliable affordability that Wetherspoons is known for.

Just a short stroll from the beautiful Abbey Gardens lies The Masons Arms, a classic timber-framed pub dating from the early 1500s. Its warped beams, low ceilings and open fires are as charming as they are authentic; a direct link to Tudor Bury and a time when this pub would have served merchants, craftsmen, and maybe even the odd monk from the nearby abbey ruins.

The pub once brewed its own beer on site, still retains its historic atmosphere while serving a sturdy menu of traditional pub grub. It’s popular for its range of cask ales, excellent Sunday roasts, and relaxed courtyard beer garden. Trivia nights and other events keep it buzzing throughout the week and it has the special quality of feeling traditional right down to the floorboards, whilst being a hub of the local community.

You can take a step into living history at The Airmen’s Bar, tucked within the 15th-century Swan Hotel in Lavenham. This intimate little bar pays tribute to the American airmen of the 487th Bombardment Group who were stationed nearby during the Second World War and so there are a great many talking points to pass the time.

The walls and ceiling are covered with more than a thousand signatures, badges, and mementos left by the servicemen who once gathered here after missions, a poignant and sometimes uplifting display of the humanity of war. Among the displays is a portrait of Brigadier General Frederick W. Castle, a Medal of Honor recipient, and stories of those who once raised a glass in this very room.

The bar serves everything from local ales and fine wines to classic afternoon tea and relaxed light bites,and the Swan itself is also home to a luxurious spa and an elegant restaurant so why not extend your stay and make the most of your visit.

Measuring just 15 feet by 7 feet, The Nutshell isn’t just a quirky landmark, it’s a piece of living history. Recognised for many years as Britain’s smallest pub (it can fit only 10-15 patrons inside at any time), it began serving beer in 1867 in what had previously been a fruit and veg shop.

Despite its diminutive size, the place is packed with personality; every inch is covered with memorabilia, from foreign currency and historical documents to the somewhat eerie preserved body of a mummified cat, thought to have been placed in the walls to ward off evil spirits- it's meant to be bad luck to touch it, but I doubt you’d want to! During World War II, American airmen based nearby would cram into the space, carving their names into the walls and ceiling, so there’s plenty to look at and spark conversation while you drink.

This award-winning brewpub occupies an intriguing space that bridges the gap between the past and present of Suffolk brewing. Housed in a former Victorian pub and brewery (originally The St Edmund’s Head), The Old Cannon reopened in 1999 with a seven barrel brew plant that now sits visibly above the bar and continues the site’s old brewing tradition. It was one of the first pubs in the UK to reintroduce brewing on the premises after a long industry decline.

The pub’s cannon themed branding and military decor nod to Bury’s connections with the local Royal Artillery regiments and visitors can enjoy the spectacle of brewing as they dine or drink with the brewery producing a rotating selection of beers including Gunner’s Daughter and Powder Monkey, all available on tap.

The menu is modern British gastropub fare with a local twist, think beer-battered fish and chips, gourmet burgers, and seasonal specials. With 7 stylish guest rooms, it’s also a favourite with foodies and beer lovers seeking a weekend escape.

Step inside The Bull Hotel in Long Melford and you’ll find yourself in one of Suffolk’s most storied coaching inns, with origins stretching back to the 1400s. Rich in Elizabethan and Tudor history, the bar retains many original features, including oak beams, low ceilings, and an enormous open fireplace where travellers would once have warmed themselves after a long journey. However, beware because the past lingers here in more ways than one; there are many tales of ghostly figures and unexplained footsteps, and the place is even a popular spot for ghost hunters hoping to experience something eerie.

Today, it’s a welcoming spot to enjoy a pint or a glass of wine, with a varied bar menu that includes hearty pub classics, lighter bites, and desserts served in a setting full of charm and character.

Set in the picturesque village of Barrow, just a 15 minute drive from Bury St Edmunds, The Weeping Willow is a perfect example of a sympathetically restored historic pub. This Grade II-listed building dates back to the early 16th century and has been a community fixture for centuries, known for its thatched roof, low-beamed ceilings, and roaring hearths. As with any historic venue, the pub is rumoured to have its own resident ghost; of a little girl nicknamed ‘Mavis’. People have reported hearing footsteps and even seeing the figure playing at the top of the staircase.

Following a major renovation in 2017, The Weeping Willow has emerged as a modern country pub with rustic elegance. The extension to the rear offers a stunning glass-fronted dining room that opens out to a large, landscaped garden, shaded by the willow tree that gives the pub its name. The menu champions locally sourced produce, including fresh fish, and seasonal Sunday roasts and the drinks list features craft beers, cocktails, and a thoughtfully curated wine list.

Originally a 15th-century coaching inn, The Bushel has long been a feature of Bury St Edmunds’ town life. The flint walls and beams visible today speak to centuries of great hospitality, when guests would arrive on horseback and spend the night staying above the tavern. Located close to the old cattle market, it was a popular spot for traders, and it retains its welcoming, unpretentious feel.

Inside, you’ll find a blend of historic character and modern amenities: a sleek conservatory bar area contrasts with more traditional nooks, crannies and warm wood interiors. The pub offers Greene King beers (brewed just down the road), a hearty seasonal food menu, and a quiet courtyard garden perfect for sunny days. It also provides comfortable rooms for overnight stays, making it a great base for exploring the town’s many other sites of historical interest.

The Bell Hotel is one of Mildenhall’s oldest surviving inns, its history woven into the very fabric of this market town. A 25-minute drive from Bury St Edmunds, this Grade II-listed former coaching inn dates back to at least the 18th century, though earlier parts of the building likely predate that. It was once a thriving stopover for travellers journeying across Suffolk and into Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, with stables and coaching yards still discernible in its layout.

The building has seen many incarnations over the centuries, from a key postal route rest stop to a social hub during wartime when RAF Mildenhall personnel were regulars. Its timber beams, large fireplaces, and Georgian frontage create a warm atmosphere, reverberating with stories of the past.

Today, visitors can enjoy a drink in the welcoming bar area or dine in the Chimes Restaurant, which serves generous portions of British comfort food with a modern twist.