Things to do in Bury St. Edmunds

Ickworth House

The history of the Ickworth mansion dates back to 1795, when it was originally owned by the Hervey family. One of Ickworth's most notable features is the building's oval hall, where visitors can see antique furniture, silverware, and paintings. The mansion's east wing now operates as a hotel, while the west wing serves as a conference and events center and is also available for weddings.

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University of Cambridge

The University of Cambridge has 31 colleges, almost blending into the city of Cambridge. Newton, Darwin, and Hawking once studied here, with over a hundred Nobel laureates associated with the university. Xu Zhimo attended a study tour at King's College in his early years, and his poem "Saying goodbye to Cambridge again" made the city memorable for many Chinese readers. In his later years, Jin Yong also returned here to pursue his doctoral degree. The colleges were built in different periods, each with its own architectural style, but most retain their medieval charm. The porches and walls of the school buildings are still adorned with simple yet solemn statues and seals, making the visit truly delightful. Some of the colleges popular among travelers includeKing's College, Trinity College, St. John's College, Queen's College, Peterhouse, Christ's College, Clare College, etc. Travelers can choose several colleges of interest to visit in sequence, but they need to check their opening hours in advance. To enjoy the scenery along both banks of the River Cam, punting is a classic activity. You can find boarding spots near Silver Street or Bridge Street. The small boats pass beneath bridges like the Mathematical Bridge at Queen's College with its wooden slats and the covered Bridge of Sighs at St John's College, gliding past the back gardens of King's College, Trinity College, and St John's College. The spires of King's College Chapel and the lawns reflect on the river, evoking the poetic imagery of "Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again." By the riverside in King's College's back garden stands a stone tablet inscribed with Xu Zhimo's verses. You can either try punting yourself or board a boat guided by a punter who will share stories about the architecture and bridges along the way.

Abbey Gardens

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Cambridge

Cambridge Punting

Coming to the historic Cambridge, Cambridge punting is a classic way to explore the city from the water. For most travelers, visiting Cambridge is a rare experience, and it would be a pity not to personally try Cambridge punting, a classic local tour activity. During the cruise, guests can enjoy about three-quarters of the River Cam's scenery, experiencing a complete journey through history, culture, and nature. The cruise passes by seven colleges, the Mathematical Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, and the iconic buildings of Cambridge University—King's CollegeThe church. The cruise usually accommodates 6 travelers per boat, but can be adjusted to a larger boat for a group size of 12 upon request. Each boat is staffed with an experienced local guide. The delightful scenery along the way, combined with the professional guide's narration, will make the travelers' Cambridge trip an unforgettable experience.

English Heritage - Bury St Edmunds Abbey

The Apex

Nowton Park

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The British Museum

The British Museum's collection spans artifacts from civilizations across the world, with a total of approx. 8 million items, covering regions including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The museum has approx. 60 permanent galleries, and the items on display represent only a very small fraction of the total collection, with its ancient Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, and Asian collections being particularly renowned. The south facade of the main building features an Ionic colonnade, and the main entrance is topped by a sculpted pediment. Entering through the main entrance leads into the Great Court, a public space designed by Norman Foster with a white color scheme, where the massive semi-transparent glass roof ensures ample natural light even on London's overcast days. The Great Court was originally part of the British Library; after the library relocated, it was converted into a covered plaza, and the court displays authentic sculptures including a stone statue from Easter Island. The Rosetta Stone bears a decree of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh inscribed in three scripts, serving as the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization and ranking among the museum's most notable exhibits. The Elgin Marbles are sculptural fragments from the Parthenon, dating back over two thousand years, and are now displayed in Room 18. The Portland Vase is renowned for its dark blue glass and white cameo relief decoration, displayed in Room 70. The Tang dynasty copy of Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies survives with nine scenes and holds significant artistic and historical value, though it is not on permanent display. The Chinese collection is concentrated in Rooms 33, 33b, and 95, arranged chronologically by dynasty with artifacts ranging from Shang and Zhou bronzes to Ming and Qing porcelain, among which the Song dynasty Cizhou ware "circus pillow" and the Yuan dynasty blue-and-white dish with fish and aquatic plant design are particularly worth a closer look. The ancient Egyptian galleries are famous for their mummy exhibits and are among the most visited areas in the museum.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

London Eye

Take a ride on the incredible 135-metre London Eye and enjoy a panoramic view of London's stunning skyline, packed with iconic landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and more. Ride during the day, at night, at sunset, or at dusk—which will you choose? The London Eye has a total of 32 air-conditioned, fully enclosed cabins, each of which can accommodate approximately 25 people. It takes about half an hour to complete a full rotation. The cabins are equipped with explanations of various sights in London, which play when they rotate to the corresponding angle. In addition, touch-sensitive information panels are also available.

West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village