On a recent trip to Suffolk we visited the beautiful Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds. We stopped off here for lunch and to break our stay as we drove over to Woodbridge to spend a week near the coast.
The gardens are situated in the bustling historic town centre of Bury St Edmunds, which has its own cathedral. The site is an Englsh Heritage site and is free to visit. There are extensive remains of one of the wealthiest and most powerful Benedictine monastries in England, Shrine of St Edmund. The remains include the 14th century great gate, a norman tower and the impressive ruins of the west front of a church.
The ruins are set amongst parkland and gardens and the River Linnet flows alongside them, providing a natural habitat for wildlife.
Take a look around...
The imposing cathedral looks over the Abbey Grounds. This is a view from the rose garden. The roses were just coming out and are set amongst some lovely clusters of peonies.
Some of the ruins you will find. There are some excellent information boards set around the grounds.
The first signs of lavender and it is only early June.
I love the colour of this geranium.
The River Linnet and its ducks happily sunbathing.
A lovely, peaceful meadow area by tbe river.
Delphiniums reaching for the sky, set against an old brick wall.
Gorgeous peonies unfurling.
I love this miniature rose against the wall too!
There are lots of little areas to these grounds. This was a peaceful and tranquil, gated area with very pretty water features. A lovely place to sit and reflect and listen to the water trickling and the bird song.
Ancient walls with the cow parsley tumbling over. There are small wild areas set amongst the more formal grounds.
A stunning clematis, in full bloom and just enjoying the sunshine!
An almost secret area, we just came upon a little herb garden!
And a prayer and reflection area, just by the cathedral. You can enter the cathedral grounds and enjoy a visit to the cathedral via this area. It is well worth a look around. The cathedral also has a very good refectory serving snacks, lunches and drinks.
All well worth a visit! My only disappointment was the huge annual flowerbeds that are scattered about the gardens. They had just been emptied from their spring plants that had finished and were all ready to be planted with the summer plants. They are usually stunning. Never mind, that gives me a good excuse to go back again there soon!
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