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eXplore… Entertainment

Entertainment Bury St Edmunds

Explore a variety of fun activities and entertainment Bury St Edmunds, a town filled with exciting experiences for everyone!

Historical Attractions

Discover the town’s rich history by visiting the beautiful Abbey Gardens and the Moyse’s Hall Museum.

Abbey Gardens

Stroll through the picturesque gardens, admire the ruins of the ancient abbey, and enjoy a peaceful day surrounded by nature.

Moyse’s Hall Museum

Learn about the local history and culture at this fascinating museum that showcases centuries of artifacts and stories.

Theatres and Music Venues

Experience amazing performances at The Apex Theatre and the Theatre Royal.

The Apex Theatre

Enjoy comedy shows, musicals, and stage plays at this modern entertainment venue.

Theatre Royal

Attend classical music concerts, dance productions, and more at this historic theatre. Famous people like Charlie Chaplin once lived in the town, and it continues to attract popular entertainers.

Pubs, Cafes, and Nightlife

Unwind at cosy pubs and cafes that serve delicious local food and real ale. Experience the town’s vibrant nightlife with bars hosting live DJs from around the world. For more excitement, check out bingo halls, arcades, and bowling alleys.

Festivals in Bury St Edmunds

Celebrate the town’s unique culture at events like the Suffolk Food & Drink Festival and the Live Music Festival.

Suffolk Food & Drink Festival

Sample local cuisine and beverages at this annual event that showcases the best of Suffolk’s culinary scene.

Live Music Festival

Enjoy free outdoor concerts in local parks, featuring a variety of talented musicians and performers.

Whether you want to delve into history, watch an engaging show, savour a meal at a charming cafe, or dance the night away, Bury St Edmunds offers entertainment for everyon

“Val Goddard and Michelle Goddard and I went to see Romesh Ranganathan at The Apex last night.

What a great venue and what a brilliantly funny comedian.

Would recommend anyone to go see him. Have not laughed like this for a long time -)”

Dale Spooner

“Famous People. A long time ago I served Matthew Kelly and a youngish blond actor with their cigarettes.

At the time I couldn’t think who they were but thought the faces were familiar.

Then I found out they were at the Theatre Royal and I realised who I had served.

I have often spotted Terry Wait to wander around the market, also that Mark Wright was in the shop I worked in with his family the day before he got married, and that evening my daughter met him in Flex and got her photo taken with him.

Recently I spotted the guy from “The Beat” coming out the back of the Apex, he was chattering on his mobile.

Also, I have watched several groups and singers at the Apex. Not sure if that counts though..”

Anna Frankum

“Before retiring I worked in the office of Suffolk West Federation of Women’s Institutes based out at Park Farm in Fornham St Genevieve.

In this capacity part of my job was to meet and greet our guest speakers at our Annual Meeting which were held in the Corn Exchange (before it became Weatherspoons) and more recently at the Apex.

I, therefore, met several famous people including Ann Widdecombe, Simon Calder, Adam Henson (of Countryfile fame) etc etc. They were all interesting to meet in various ways but the nicest person I met was Sheila Dibnah, third wife of Fred Dibnah (steeplejack and steam engine enthusiast).

She told us a little of her previous life as a dancer but the most interesting stories were about her unusual life with Fred.

She was very pleasant to deal with and grateful to me for looking after her.”

Simone Ruddock

“My partner recently organised a conference in Bury.

There was a meal at Atheneum and the main event, the next day, at the Apex.

People came from all over the UK. Wonderful, the amount of feedback he’s had from people saying how beautiful Bury is and how they are now going to organise a holiday here.

Well, we know that. Just sharing the love!”

Lesley Paris

“Had a good night at the Apex tonight watching the Lady Boys from Bangkok.”

Wendy Decarteret

“I was in the Apex this evening to watch children from this area perform songs from shows. They were so good I thoroughly enjoyed the performance well done all the performers.

The people who organised this are exceptional, Star Makers!”

Les Hopton

Cinemas

“Who remembers the Odeon Cinema in Brentgovel Street? I remember the manager was George Peek.

It was a lovely cinema it had lots of stairs going up in a round way. I saw john miles there in 1978.”

Peter Elliston

“Can anyone remember when Parkway car park was built before the Cinema and Comet / B and Q, in the top part (near Chalk Road)?

I’m sure there was a cave in / drop into the cave systems and they had to put a concrete plug into the hole. Can anyone confirm this?”

Jon Barber

“My first memories of Angel Hill are when I was a teenager and still living out in the sticks. Bury St Edmunds was our nearest big town, so we used to travel in on Symonds buses who dropped off at the Angel Hill.

All the local, privately owned buses dropped off there then and not the bus station. There was a bus on a Saturday evening we called the Picture bus.

We came into the Odeon and the Abbeygate Cinemas, but the big problem was that often the bus left on its return journey before the film finished.

So you had no choice but to leave and not see the ending, or else not get home!

Later when travelling in with young children, my memories are of the bus driver getting your prams/pushchairs out of the boot and assembling them for you. Something you wouldn’t see these days!”

Paula Smith

“Cinemas, to start off with, I remember 3 Cinemas. My favourite was the Odeon. Mainly because of the Saturday morning pictures.

I used to walk there from Lake Avenue and saved the bus fare Mum gave me for ice cream or sweets on the way home.

I couldn’t afford to sit upstairs, but it could be a little hazardous as the upstairs sometimes threw their waste down on us!

Mum took me to afternoon films at the Playhouse, and always fell asleep, so I had to tell her what happened in the film! Didn’t go to the Central, as it was a bit tatty then, and had a bad name.”

Michael Arbon