Top 10 Things to Do in Bury St Edmunds For Kids

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds presents a vibrant, year-round programme of drama, music, dance and comedy, featuring many of this country’s leading companies and performers.

It has built a reputation of producing quality dramas and productions including the ever popular annual pantomime.

Alongside their on-stage programme of shows, the theatre offers a wide-ranging educational and community-based programme of activities and opportunities to engage people from 5 – 105 years of age.

Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds was designed and built in 1819 by William Wilkins. With many of its original features still intact, it is a superb example of a Regency playhouse and one of the most beautiful, intimate and historic theatres in the world.

Visit the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds website to see what's coming up.

The Abbey Gardens, in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, is the perfect spot for enjoying peace and quiet whilst watching the world go by. And it is FREE to visit!

The award-winning 14-acre Abbey Gardens is on the site of the former Benedictine Abbey, the Abbey of St Edmund, once one of the richest, largest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. People came from all over England and further afield to visit the Shrine of St Edmund and it became one of the most famous and wealthy pilgrimage locations in England, visited by royalty.

Internationally renowned for its colourful and attractive displays and the heritage of its backdrop make the gardens a very special place to visit and visitors come from all over the world to see it. According to VisitEngland, the Abbey Gardens and ruins in Bury St Edmunds is in the Top 20 most visited free attractions in England!

There's a children’s play area, wildlife feeding area - near the dovecote, past the children's play area and over the bridge (please only feed the local wildlife near the dovecote as this will encourage them to stay close to it), and an Aviary with birds include canaries, budgies, teal ducks, Bengalis and Zebra finches and diamond doves.

Despite the county's mostly flat countryside, Suffolk offers cycling challenges for all abilities and ages, all of which are accompanied by a beautiful view.

Hop on your bicycle and head out on one of the many family friendly cycling routes in Bury St Edmunds and Beyond.

Claire's House Pottery is a ceramic studio focused on a range of opportunities to play with clay including pottery painting, taster classes, date nights, workshops, courses and special events.

Their light filled studio also has a cafe area where they serve locally roasted coffee, other hot and cold drinks and snacks.

Two public tennis courts, which meet Lawn Tennis Association standards, are available for hire in the picturesque surroundings of the River Lark with views of the historic Abbey Gardens and Abbey Ruins - perfect to brush up on your skills ahead of Wimbledon!

 Both courts are equipped with tarmac surfaces, perfect for matches all year round. The Abbey Gardens Tennis Courts are situated in the Eastgate Nursery area, a short walk from the Garden Cafe, toilets and the Information Point and Plant Sales.

With plenty of fun things to do for guests of all ages, Bury Bowl is more than just a bowling centre. Bury Bowl has 12 lanes for bowling and their clear and easy to use systems make keeping score nice and simple.

They provide the bowling shoes – all well cared for and hygienic – as well as the bowling balls, though you can bring your own if you’d prefer. When you’re done with your game, they also have a café and a licensed bar, so you can grab a bite to eat or enjoy a drink.

The Apex is an award-winning venue, known for its acoustic excellence and home to a diverse programme of live music and events; from classical concerts to pop, rock, jazz, blues, world, country and folk, plus comedy and dance performances.

Outside you'll also find Paddington - the perfect picture stop in Bury St Edmunds!

For families visiting Bury St Edmunds, a trip to watch Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club offers an exciting and affordable day out. Matchdays provide a great opportunity for children to experience the atmosphere of live sport up close, with plenty of action on the pitch and a welcoming community feel around the ground. Rugby's fast-paced nature, big tackles and end-to-end play can be captivating for younger spectators, while the friendly environment makes it easy for families to relax and enjoy the occasion together.

Watching a local rugby match is also a fantastic way to introduce children to the values of teamwork, respect and sportsmanship that are central to the game. Young fans can cheer on the players, learn the basics of rugby as they watch and enjoy being part of the crowd without the expense or crowds often associated with professional sport. Whether you're already a rugby fan or simply looking for something different to do during your visit, Bury Rugby Club provides a memorable family-friendly sporting experience.

In Medieval times, The Abbey of St Edmund was one of the richest, largest and most powerful Benedictine monasteries in England. People came from all over England and Europe to visit the Shrine of St Edmund and it became one of the most famous and wealthy pilgrimage locations in England, visited by royalty.

Edmund, King of East Anglia, was killed by The Danes on 20 November 869, after refusing to give up his Christian faith. He was tied to a tree and shot full of arrows before being beheaded.

In 903 the remains of Saint Edmund, the original the Patron Saint of England, were moved to the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Beodericsworth (later known as Bury St Edmunds) where the site had already been in religious use for nearly three centuries.

St Edmund’s body was moved to London in 1010 for safe keeping when The Danes were again marauding through East Anglia but three years later his body was returned to Bedricesworth.

In 1020, King Cnut had a stone church built for Edmund's body and the first abbots arrived. This was the beginning of the Abbey of St Edmund, 1000 years ago, and it became a site of great pilgrimage as people from all over Europe came to visit St Edmund’s shrine.

There's no better way to cool down on a warm sunny day than with a delicious ice cream!

Whether you opt for a 99, a lolly or a tub or your favourite is strawberry, chocolate or vanilla, we guarantee ice cream with a view in Bury St Edmunds.

Check out our Ice Cream Spots Guide to find the perfcet location on the town to enjoy ice cream with all the family!