A visit from a 17th Century Master Scrivener and his Wife at Bury St Edmunds Guildhall
Step back in time and immerse yourself in history at the Guildhall’s Open Day event.
- Date
- 31st May 2026
- Time
- 11:00am - 3:00pm
About this event
Step back in time and immerse yourself in history at the Guildhall’s Open Day event featuring captivating 17th-century reenactors and the only surviving WWII ROC Operations room.
Witness the precision and dedication of a master scrivener as he brings to life the art of calligraphy and explains the tools of his trade and meet his dear wife, Goody, the linchpin of a 17th-century home, and learn about her daily activities around the household.
Explore the strategic nerve centre of World War Two, where decisions that shaped history were made, and gain insight into the challenges faced during this tumultuous time.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience two incredible eras firsthand and discover the rich tapestry of our shared heritage at the Guildhall’s Open Day.
Free Admission – Donations welcome
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About the Venue
The earliest written mention of the Guildhall is in 1279, when the Bury St Edmunds Chronicle recorded the arrival of two visiting Lords. Recent archaeological discoveries suggest the building is much older, possibly dating to the mid-1100s.
It was built to host the local Guildhall Merchant, a group that oversaw all the business of the town, which was then at the heart of the lucrative wool trade. As a centre of civic power, the Guildhall became a bitter rival of the powerful Abbey of St Edmund and was a focal point for the town’s own peasants’ revolt in the 1300s - when a group of monks were held hostage within its secure walls.
The great and the good who ran the Guildhall used their wealth and influence to fight for the rights of the town’s ordinary citizens. They delivered justice in the Courtroom, turned the Tudor Kitchen into a soup kitchen in times of need, and offered the Banqueting Hall as a meeting space for the most important discussions of the day – including the fight to abolish the slave trade.
The Guildhall was also home to a group of remarkable, but unsung, local heroes, who helped change the course of the Second World War. The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) was a civil defence organisation which tracked aircraft movements above the skies of Britain. Their information was sent to RAF Fighter Command and helped to save thousands of lives. The Guildhall’s ROC Operations Room is the only surviving one of its kind in the world – a small space with an incredible story to tell.
Dog Friendly
The Guildhall welcomes ‘well-behaved’ dogs on leads.
Book a Private Tour
Join us on a journey through the Guildhall’s remarkable 800-year history on one of our guided tours.
Tickets are £7.50 per person. Minimum group size is 2 people. Children under 12 go free.
Please give at least 10 days’ notice when booking a tour. If you are not able to do this, we will do our best to schedule your visit at a convenient date and time.
ROC Operations Room Open Days
Explore the only surviving WWII Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Operations Room in the country!
Meet our experienced volunteers and discover the stories of the remarkable everyday heroes who worked in the Ops Room to save thousands of lives during the Battle of Britain and beyond — all as part of this FREE open day.
We also offer a range of cultural events including exhibitions, talks, concerts, and workshops. To find out more about our programme of events, venue hire, or private tours please visit our website.
Opening times: Office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm. The venue is open to the public during scheduled events only, which will be advertised on our website.
