Unmissable Autumn Events in Bury St Edmunds & Beyond

Enjoy a unique day out exploring some hidden history in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. Make your way to Bury St Edmunds Guildhall, home to the only surviving WW2 Operations room of the Royal Observer Corps.

This group of unsung local heroes were ‘the eyes and ears of the RAF’ during the infamous battle of Britain. This epic story has been kept under wraps for over 80 years but has now been declassified for curious folks to uncover and explore. Step back in time and find out about the incredible people who worked in the Ops Room at these free open days taking place on 27th October and 24th November.

The year is 1535, Kentwell Hall is a thriving Tudor mansion busy with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In the 1500’s Michelmas was as big a celebration as Christmas, perhaps even bigger! With the bringing in of the harvests, food was bountiful and delicious and people gathered together to celebrate this holy day of ‘St Michael’s mass’, shortened to ‘Michelmas’.

On the 21st and 22nd of September you too can experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of life living in this incredible country mansion and gardens, with costumed historical interpreters, crafts, cooking, music and dancing and interactive activities for all the family, plus a chance to learn more about this historic religious celebration.

The incomparable ‘Black Eyed Theatre’ take to the stage at the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds this September to bring you a gothic tale suitable for the bleak and stormy nights that draw in apace.

Adapted by Nick Lane, this innovative, theatrical treatment of Bram Stoker’s classic 'Dracula' blends victorian gothic with contemporary ensemble performance, featuring a haunting soundscape, electrifying performance and cutting edge design. Experience this timeless gothic thriller which embodies the struggle to break taboos, resist temptation and stop the unknown outside becoming the enemy within…

The 11th, 12th and 13th October sees the return of the Bury St Edmunds Literature Festival with a range of talks, presentations and discussions to celebrate books and writing in the heart of East Anglia. Growing up in the area, Phoebe Morgan is due to come back to Bury St Edmunds and speak about her new thriller ‘The Trip’ set against the vibrant backdrop of Thailand and following four friends who, on this seemingly idyllic holiday begin to uncover a secret which could unravel everything…

The festival also welcomes back Patrick Barkham who will be speaking about his most recent non-fiction book; ‘The Swimmer’ which chronicles the life of Suffolk man Roger Deakin in a captivating biography about the maverick exploits of Deakin who has been a teacher, writer, film maker, seller of pine furniture and most recently a advocate for the benefits of wild swimming. With poetry events and open mics, storytelling for children, talks on historical fiction, nature writing and crime or mystery fiction, there is something for every book based interest. Pop along to see your favourite authors or uncover something new.

Steeped in the heritage of the North East fishing communities ‘The Deep’ is a moving portrayal of one man’s epic survival at sea. Originally written by Jón Atli Jónasson, and based on a miraculous true ocean event off the coast of Iceland, The Deep was originally an award winning film in Iceland which has now been adapted for stage.

Told using projections, local choirs creating an aural soundscape and one man’s monologue to bring the tale to life, ‘The Deep’ is an epic tale of survival that will take your breath away.

On 26th and 27th October make your way to West Stow Anglo Saxon Village where you can witness the Wulfeofenas living history society as they recreate the aristocracy, warrior retinues and craftspeople who were all key elements of the mead hall culture of the 5th-7th Century Northern World.

Get up close with the weapons, crafts, clothing and possessions of the early Anglo Saxon people, and find out about how the people worked, lived and enjoyed life in a time that is so far from our own.

Historic Lavenham is a charming setting for the 8th Lavenham Literary Festival with its stellar line up; a must for avid readers. Taking place Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd November across a range of great venues, there are talks, workshops and panels with something for everyone.

Private eye satirist and author Craig Brown is the guest speaker at the literary dinner at the fantastic Swan Hotel, Tom Henry’s popular writers workshop is back again and much-loved actor Sheila Hancock will be speaking to Janet Ellis about her memoir ‘Old Rage’. Renowned historic Tracey Borman will take audiences behind closed doors at the royal palaces and the author of Captain Corelli’s mandolin Louis de Bernieres will talk to broadcaster Martha Kearney about his latest novel ‘Light over Liskeard’.