Back to Blogs
Discover
Roundabout Art Tells the History of Bury St Edmunds
From the dramatic steel figure of St Edmund to the uplifting dove of peace, the unique roundabouts in Bury St Edmunds use stunning artwork to welcome visitors into the town and tell of its history.
St Edmund at his Martyrdom - Risbygate Street roundabout at Parkway
![St Edmund statue Roundabout Art Shawn Pearce 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/St-Edmund-statue-Roundabout-ArtShawn-Pearce-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1656600714&s=fddb0baa75e467f0e5d29c13120b2be2)
Photo: Shawn Pearce
Among the many unique features of Bury St Edmunds is that almost every major junction into town has extraordinary modern artworks which mark key moments in its history.
All of the roundabout artwork projects were led by Bury St Edmunds in Bloom, an independent charity run by Bury Society dedicated to promoting a greener, cleaner and a more beautiful Bury St Edmunds.
A dramatic steel figure of St Edmund, who before George held the title of the first Patron Saint of England, can be seen on the roundabout where Parkway crosses Risbygate Street.
Designed by Emmanuel O'Brien and made by blacksmith Nigel Kaines, the statue of St Edmund at his martyrdom is made from steel wire with steel arrows penetrating Edmund’s heart and body.
The Legend of the Wolf of St Edmund - Southgate Green Roundabout
Photo: Tom Soper
St Edmund was an Anglo-Saxon King and ruled East Anglia between 855AD and 869AD. He was killed by Viking raiders for refusing to renounce his Christian faith during the Danish invasion.
The story goes that after being killed with arrows and decapitated in Suffolk, the king's body was found but his head was missing. Edmund’s supporters heard a wolf call them and found it guarding the king's head, which was then reunited with his body which miraculously become reattached. This was felt to be a sign of sainthood and many miracles were then attributed to Edmund and his shrine in Bury St Edmunds became a place of pilgrimage. This resulted in the growth and prosperity of the Abbey and the town.
The wolf is a central figure of the story of St Edmund and is brought to life on the town’s Southgate Green roundabout near the town’s east junction with the A14.
The 7ft wood carving by sculptor Ben Loughrill depicts the animal guarding St Edmund’s head beside his battered crown.
See how the wolf was carved!
St Edmund’s Crown - Cullum Road/Nowton Road roundabout
![The Crown Roundabout Art Bury St Edmunds in Bloom 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/The-Crown-Roundabout-Art-Bury-St-Edmunds-in-Bloom-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1656600925&s=40221233f155ea1e9096fb6bad1a11f7)
Photo: Bury St Edmunds in Bloom
St Edmund's Crown is the theme of the bronze coloured lattice work made of steel and willows on the roundabout between Cullum Road and Nowton Road.
The large crown, created by artist Liz Cooke, is pierced by two arrows symbolising the link with St Edmund but also Greene King.
Bury St Edmunds is the home of Greene King and the crown and arrows features in Greene King’s logo. Greene King has been brewing in Bury St Edmunds since 1799 and the willow for the artwork was grown by Lark Valley Willow on the meadows near the brewery.
With The Grain - King’s Road roundabout at Parkway
![Kings Road With the Grain Roundabout Art Josephine Sweetman 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/Kings-Road-With-the-Grain-Roundabout-Art-Josephine-Sweetman-965x540.jpeg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1656601022&s=835c8d7e583fb8292db57413d849e6e0)
Photo: Josephine Sweetman
Outside the Abbey, Bury St Edmunds was always been an agricultural town and at the King’s Road roundabout at Parkway this aspect of the town’s heritage is commemorated.
The Grain sculpture by local resident Roy Proctor and forged by blacksmith Nigel Kaines is a stone’s throw from were, centuries ago, many windmills ground corn.
Flight of Peace - Lady Miriam Way roundabout
![Flight of Peace Roundabout Art Close Up 965x540](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/Flight-of-Peace-Roundabout-Art-Close-Up-965x540.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1656601680&s=7b5e94e76be815cc19148b59cd3ba3c8)
Photo: Josephine Sweetman
The Flight of Peace sculpture on the Lady Miriam Way roundabout commemorates the US Air Force’s arrival at Rougham in 1943.
The breath-taking B17 Flying Fortress commemoration sculpture, with a dove of peace blossoming from it, is a symbolic remembrance of those gallant American servicemen who, by preparing, maintaining and flying the B17 Flying Fortress bombers on 325 missions between June 1943 and April 1945 during WWII, contributed to lasting peace in Europe.
The aircraft from Rougham Airfield were identified by the letter A in a square background on the tailfin, which is captured in the sculpture. The landscaping of the roundabout represents the United States five pointed white star in a blue circle. The star is planted with ‘white’ grasses together with white flowering plants and is surrounded with loose ‘blue’ slate.
Flight of Peace sculpture - Bury In Bloom
James Moore Cyclist Sculpture - Mount Road/Orttewell roundabout
![James Moore Sculpture grandson John Moore pictured BLOG](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Full-Width-Images/James-Moore-Sculpture-grandson-John-Moore-pictured-BLOG.jpg?w=965&h=543&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1647346798&s=1d4d0f6bc89e0677eedbbec73f00b9ee)
The James Moore sculpture on the roundabout which joins Mount Road and Orttewell Road celebrates a Bury St Edmunds-born cyclist who won the world’s first road race 150 years ago.
James Moore – who won the 130km Paris-Rouen race on his velocipede in 1869 - was born in Long Brackland, Bury, in 1849 but moved to Paris when he was four-years-old. He was one of the first stars of cycling and went on to dominate the sport for many years.
The life-size eye-catching sculpture of Moore on his velocipede, which was designed, made and installed by artist Nigel Kaines.
Related Blogs
![Quentin Blake ‘The Illustrated Hospital’ exhibition at Bury St Edmunds Museum](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Moyses-Hall-Museum-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1712753729&s=4a923a8bca04edbe5c9afe60db45e3fe)
News
Quentin Blake ‘The…
A summer exhibition of illustrations by Quentin Blake…
![Bury St Edmunds Comedy Festival 2025 Line-Up](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Generic-header-image-1500-X-390.webp?w=1000&h=260&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1721646426&s=63b51317f0da847b8f8fe87360e8d549)
News
Bury St Edmunds Comedy…
Get ready for a month of rib-tickling fun and laughter…
![360° Degree Vikings](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Viking-Exhibition-360-Example-Image-Large.jpg?w=1920&h=860&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1696862587&s=40ce6ff2dd20fe6051d2551a9250b2c7)
News
360° Degree Vikings
The Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership…
![Unique Experiences You Can Only Do in Bury St Edmunds](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Unique-Things-to-Do-Blog-Uniquely-The-Nutshell-Emily-Jackaman-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.2828&fp-y=0.1945&dm=1660557052&s=0f053bda70f9d6f3177b67f15b63ef02)
News
Unique Experiences You Can…
With over 1000 years of history, Bury St Edmunds is…
![Learn more about the former Abbey of St Edmund at free exhibition](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/The-Abbey-of-St-Edmunds-Artisan-and-Pilgrimage-Exhibition-Moyses-Hall-Museum-Dan-Clarke-1500x390.jpg?w=1500&h=390&auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=crop&dm=1657199774&s=9e1a200e90fa3d3deca9e57f65ce2ad9)
News
Learn more about the former…
A special free exhibition entitled 'The Abbey of St…
Latest news
News
Bury St Edmunds Parks awarded Green Flag Status!
Bury St Edmunds Parks awarded Green Flag status!
![Burys Best By Bike hero 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Burys-Best-By-Bike-hero-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.3452&fp-y=0.4554&dm=1720602549&s=9a9a607225afcb57e27b70aed3143ca2)
News
New Sightseeing PedalCab Rides Launched to Delight Visitors to Bury St Edmunds this Summer
Join Ecocarriers Bury St Edmunds for a Bury's Best, By Bike PedalCab rides around the town's iconic historic sights!
![Abbey gardens hero 1500x390 2024](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Abbey-gardens-hero-1500x390-2024.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1720702975&s=6175c66b51bf48449190bb1b2d89b1c9)
News
Abbey Gardens in Top 20 Most Visited Free Attractions in England and Top in the East of England
The historic Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds with the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund is in the Top 20 most visited free attractions in England and the top free attraction in the East of…
News
Unmissable Events for Families this Summer
Whether you're heading here for a summer holiday or simply looking for a fun day out, these unmissable family events and activities are sure to keep everyone entertained!
![Theatre in The Park hero image 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Theatre-in-The-Park-hero-image-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1720428255&s=a499c13c9b8a61672deeb0e8b804fcbc)
News
Get Ready for Theatre in The Parks This Summer
The popular outdoor theatre season returns for 2024 with a new programme of performances in the beautiful Abbey Gardens and West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village.
![Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Bury-St-Edmunds-Tour-Guides-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1705586876&s=862b6e66ef83e0437ac2329bae7af599)
News
Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides in the top 10% of attractions worldwide
Reviews of Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides via Tripadvisor have resulted in them being rated in the top 10% attractions worldwide, classing them as a winner in the Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2024.
![Suffolk Regiment Museum 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Suffolk-Regiment-Museum-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1716203507&s=bddc78c644c3d3ae7bcf76dd9a646667)
News
Suffolk Regiment Museum Re-Opens After Refurbishment
The Suffolk Regiment Museum has reopened its doors to visitors after an eight-month long refurbishment.
![Pickwick Afternoon Tea 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Pickwick-Afternoon-Tea-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.485&fp-y=0.5262&dm=1718272069&s=a600ffc1b248685e08a90eb5030ab358)
News
The Angel Hotel Launches a new Dickens-themed themed afternoon tea experience
The Angel Hotel launches new themed afternoon tea experience based on the life & works of Charles Dickens.
![Cathedral Gin hero 1500x390](https://bury-stedmunds.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/assets/images/Main-Images/Cathedral-Gin-hero-1500x390.jpg?w=728&h=376&q=95&auto=format&fit=crop&dm=1717754453&s=49cc6a4596077ef8a04159bf9e6f6d67)
News
Cathedral Launches Three Gins
St Edmundsbury Cathedral has partnered with Heart of Suffolk Distillery to produce three Cathedral-inspired gins.