Welcome
A warm welcome awaits at St Edmundsbury Cathedral in the Suffolk market town of Bury St Edmunds. Located near the award winning Abbey Gardens, the Cathedral is open daily for visits, services and exhibitions.
Once part of the great Abbey of St Edmund, St James’ parish church became St Edmundsbury Cathedral in 1914. Discover the story of St Edmund through stained glass, statues, tapestry and paintings. Admire the Millennium tower, completed in 2005, with its breath-taking vaulted ceiling.
Enjoy guided tours and Tower tours. Browse in the Shop for unique souvenirs and complete your visit with refreshments in Pilgrims’ Kitchen, offering locally sourced food in beautiful surroundings.

Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Cathedral building (Nave)ChapelsTreasuryCathedral CentrePilgrims KitchenCathedral ShopEdmund Room (meeting room)Cathedral groundsHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Travel by taxi
Parking
There is space for one car on the Cathedral site which can be pre-booked for a visitor with a Blue badge.
Small minibuses can drop off on the Cathedral site if pre-arranged.
Phone 01284 748720 to book.
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
There are glass doors into the cathedral from the porch area. These are usually closed and need to be manually opened. Often a volunteer is on duty and will do this for a visitor who needs assistance.
When both doors are open the width is 1420 mm. If only one panel is open, the width is 780 mm.



Getting around inside

Lift
Cathedral Centre lift

Nave lift


Things to See and Do
Cathedral building (Nave)
Chapels
There is level access to the chapels if you enter from the main entrance.
If you wish to enter the chapels from the Cloisters, you can use the platform lift (a member of staff must be called to assist).
There are two steps into the chancel. Access to the chancel is possible with assistance from a member of staff. A portable ramp will be used to provided access to this area (which is two steps higher than the chapels).


Treasury
For level access to the Treasury, visitors should approach from the entrance via the Cloisters near Pilgrims' Kitchen (if approaching from the main entrance, there are steps). Access to the Treasury is via a short spiral staircase (10 steps). There is a chairlift which can be used with assistance from a member of staff. A wheelchair is available in the Treasury to ease movement around the space.

Public toilet
Cathedral Centre
The toilets are located in the Cathedral Centre. Access is from the Cloisters which should be approached from the entrance near to Pilgrims' Kitchen (restaurant). There is no direct access from the main entrance of the Cathedral (as this route has steps). The cubicle has motion-sensor lighting which comes on automatically when someone enters the space.


Shop
Cathedral Shop

Place to eat and drink
Pilgrims Kitchen
There are sliding glass doors to enter the restaurant. In the summer these are fixed open. In the winter, a button (to the right of the doors) has to be pressed to open them.
If moving from the restaurant to the toilets, it is possible to use an internal set of automatic glass doors (width 1400 mm).
The restaurant has an outdoor area. Some parts of this have level access (grass and decking area) but can only be access from the outside (ie if you go through the restaurant to these areas you will encounter thresholds and steps).
We offer some nut free options but please note that Pilgrims' Kitchen is not a nut-free environment.


Edmund Room (meeting room)
This meeting room is on the First floor. Access is via steps or the Cathedral Centre lift.
Getting around outside
The Cathedral has a small garden area. It can be accessed directly from Angel Hill or from the neighbouring Abbey Gardens (through the Herb Garden).
It is possible to access the gardens via the Cloisters but this route has steps.
Customer care support
Emergency evacuation procedures
The Cathedral's evacuation plan states 'Vergers will sweep the building using torches for enhanced lighting and will ensure the safety of those in the building taking steps to evacuate disabled or vulnerable people'.
Customer care support
We have two images of the Cathedral in Braille which can be used as part of a guided tour.
We can provide guided tours adapted for people with aphasia. This includes provision of a large print, pictorial guide with clear words and images to assist understanding.
We offer a monthly Eucharistic service (2nd Tuesday of each month at 2.30 pm) which is accessible to all, particularly those with dementia. It is informal and welcoming. .