News – The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn

Project Manager Update: October

Abbey of St Edmund Reborn: We Need Your Expertise – New Project Board Members

As we move into delivery, we’re looking to strengthen our Project Board with people who can bring strategic thinking, professional expertise, and constructive challenge to help shape this shared vision for Bury St Edmunds and West Suffolk.

We’re seeking two or three new Project Board members to join us for the delivery phase. We’re particularly interested in people with experience or strong networks in three key areas:

Natural heritage and local biodiversity – experience or knowledge in biodiversity conservation, environmental management, ecological restoration, chalk streams, landscape management, climate change and sustainability, or community engagement with the natural environment.

Community engagement, education and learning – experience in further and higher education, schools and lifelong learning, community development, skills development, volunteering, inclusive and accessible learning, or working with young people and under-represented communities.

Visitor economy, tourism, communications and marketing – expertise in tourism and destination development, visitor attractions, cultural tourism, hospitality, marketing and communications, audience development, digital engagement, or place-making.

What matters most is that you can think strategically, bring constructive challenge, and help us build something that lasts. We’re looking for people who can contribute not just technical expertise, but genuine strategic insight.

Project Board members meet monthly in person at St Edmundsbury Cathedral to provide strategic oversight throughout the delivery programme. These roles will offer professional advice, contribute expertise, help identify opportunities and partnerships that could strengthen the project, consider the needs and interests of local communities and stakeholders, and support us in achieving our heritage, environmental, educational and community outcomes. You’ll also contribute to discussions around risk, sustainability, legacy and long-term impact – and where appropriate, help champion the project within your networks.

This is a voluntary position. Day-to-day project management is the responsibility of our Project Manager and professional team, so you won’t be managing delivery – you’ll be providing the strategic thinking that helps us succeed.

If you, or someone you know may be interested, please download the recruitment sheet here.

You can submit your letter of interest via email to: James Mellish, Project Manager. james@jmenvironmental.co.uk
Application deadline, 5.00 pm on Friday 13 November 2026

Project Manager Update: September

Abbey of St Edmund Reborn: A New Chapter Begins

Exciting progress is being made on the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project as we prepare to take the next major step towards delivery.

We are currently awaiting official permission to start from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will unlock the project’s three-year delivery programme. This is an important milestone and will allow the team to move forward with the detailed work needed to bring our ambitious plans to life.

What happens next?

Over the coming months, the project team will continue developing the detailed designs for the capital works, including the proposed visitor centre and West Cloister, repairs to the Abbey ruins, improvements to the path networks, and measures to enhance biodiversity across the site.

We will also continue working closely with the local planning authority to agree the remaining details associated with the planning conditions, helping ensure the project is ready to move into construction.

Subject to the necessary approvals, phased construction is expected to begin in Spring 2027, with the main contract works anticipated to get underway in Summer 2027.

But the project is about much more than buildings and physical improvements. Alongside the capital programme, we will be recruiting new staff to help deliver our ambitious activity plan, creating new opportunities for learning, volunteering, engagement and participation.

We are also developing the project’s brand identity, helping establish a strong and recognisable identity. At the same time, we are strengthening the Project Board, welcoming new members and expertise to support effective governance throughout the delivery period.

There is a great deal still to do, but the vision is becoming increasingly tangible. We look forward to sharing further updates as we move towards this exciting new chapter for the Abbey site and its future.

Project Manager Update: August

Project Manager, James Mellish, Conservation in Action at the Abbey Gardens

English Heritage alongside The Town Trust and members of the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project welcomed members of the public to a free Conservation in Action Day in the Abbey Gardens on 5 August. The event offered a unique opportunity to see conservation specialists at work, repairing the Abbey’s historic flint walls using traditional techniques and materials.

Throughout the day, visitors could watch live demonstrations of traditional stonemasonry and hot lime mortar, as well as rope-access techniques used by specialists working on the Abbey’s historic fabric. These demonstrations provided a fascinating insight into the skills, knowledge and craftsmanship involved in caring for one of Suffolk’s most important historic sites.

The event, hosted by English Heritage, was designed to be accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages, with family activities providing opportunities for younger visitors to get involved and discover more about the Abbey’s history and conservation. Members of the public could also meet the conservation team, ask questions and learn more about the conservation of the Abbey ruins and the wider Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project and the work taking place to safeguard the site for future generations.

The Conservation in Action Day was also an opportunity to bring the project to life beyond the Abbey Gardens. The event demonstrated the value of opening up conservation work to the public, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the specialist skills and traditional techniques helping to preserve the Abbey’s historic fabric. It was a successful day of learning, participation and community engagement, bringing the English Heritage and the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project closer to the people it aims to inspire and involve.

The Bury Free Press joined the event and wrote an article where you can view more photos of the day here.

Conservation in Action Day – Wednesday 5 August 2026

Exciting progress continues on the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn, delivered in partnership by St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage. The project is preserving one of England’s most important monastic sites while creating a more accessible, engaging and sustainable destination for everyone.

As part of this work, English Heritage is inviting the public to a free Conservation in Action Day in the Abbey Gardens from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

CATHEDRAL 310725 ©tomsoperphotography 40

This special event offers a rare opportunity to see skilled conservation specialists at work as they repair the Abbey’s historic flint walls using traditional materials and techniques. Visitors can meet the conservation team, explore completed repairs, learn why these works are essential, and discover the fascinating history of the Abbey’s surviving structures.

There will also be live demonstrations of stonemasonry, hot lime mortar techniques and rope access on the Abbey Gate, alongside hands-on activities including stone carving. Families are especially welcome, with children’s activities such as soapstone carving, colouring and a treasure hunt running throughout the day.

Whether you’re interested in history, heritage, traditional crafts or simply want to learn more about this remarkable project, we’d love to see you there and celebrate the conservation of one of Suffolk’s most treasured historic sites.

Project Manager Update: July

Project Manager, James Mellish, shares next steps following funding announcement

The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project has reached an exciting milestone as it moves into its next phase of delivery. Following the successful £7.137m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, contributing to a total project of £9.83m, the project team is now focused on putting the foundations in place for the next stage of work, which will culminate in construction beginning in spring 2027.

The immediate priority is to finalise and agree the contract terms with the appointed project team. Once these are in place, work will progress into the next technical design stages, where detailed plans will be developed to ensure the project is ready for construction. This phase will involve close collaboration between the design team, specialist consultants, contractors, and key stakeholders to refine the proposals and prepare for delivery on site.

Alongside the capital works, preparations are also underway to strengthen the team that will deliver the project’s ambitious programme of public engagement. New staff appointments will support the delivery of a coordinated Activity Plan featuring 47 heritage engagement activities. These activities have been designed to connect a wide range of audiences with the rich history of the Abbey of St Edmund through learning, participation, volunteering, skills development, and community events. The programme will ensure that local communities and visitors alike can engage with the site’s heritage throughout the project and beyond.

The coming months will focus on maintaining momentum, building partnerships, and ensuring that both the construction programme and Activity Plan are well prepared for implementation. As the project enters this exciting new chapter, there is a real sense of anticipation across the team.

I’m delighted to be moving into this next phase look forward to working closely with partners, stakeholders, and the wider community to bring the vision for the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn to life.

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Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Awarded Delivery Grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Awarded Delivery Grant by
The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Cathedral and Abbey Tom Soper Photography smaller

Today, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage, project partners of The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn are announcing a £7.137m grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, contributing to a total project of £9.83m.

The Abbey of St Edmund was once one of England’s greatest monasteries. It is named after Edmund, a Saxon king of East Anglia who was killed by Danish raiders in 869. Within a generation, Edmund was being celebrated as a martyr and a saint. Edmund’s shrine made the Abbey one of England’s most popular destinations for pilgrims.

Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project reunifies the fragmented 60-acre Abbey of St Edmund site, creating a coherent, accessible and sustainable ‘place making’ cultural destination. Elements of the project include:

Medieval Abbey ruins will be conserved securing their long-term sustainable future, whilst a Visitor Centre and West Cloister will provide orientation, interpretation and flexible community space.
A 1.4km accessible circular route will support mobility, sensory and cognitive needs, physically and visually reconnecting the Abbey ruins, Cathedral and historic town, strengthening understanding of the site’s national significance.
An activity plan will deliver 47 coordinated community activities, 200 volunteering and 21 training opportunities across 19 roles, two apprenticeships and five funded staff posts, in collaboration with 29 local organisations spanning heritage, biodiversity, archaeology and the creative sectors.
Biodiversity enhancements along the rare chalk stream Rivers Lark and Linnet will enrich the historic landscape.
A successor CIO will ensure strong resilient governance, securing a free to enter destination with lasting cultural, educational, environmental and social impact.

The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury said, “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. So much hard work has gone into the project to get to this stage and thanks to National Lottery players, we can now realise the exciting plans we have for the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn with building works commencing from Spring 2027. This will be a landmark project for Suffolk.”

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said, “Thanks to National Lottery players, we are delighted to support the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn partnership project, which aims to reunify this historic site and secure its future as a cultural destination.

“Heritage has a powerful role to play in bringing communities together to celebrate and preserve the past, while also driving regeneration, supporting nature recovery and creating opportunities to be part of the story. This project will strengthen people’s connection with the Abbey, the Cathedral, the town and the surrounding landscape, creating a more accessible and welcoming place that everyone can enjoy, shape and take pride in for generations to come.”

Kate Logan, English Heritage’s Operations, Experience and Engagement Director, said, “This is quite simply, brilliant news and we’d like to thank the Heritage Fund for this game-changing grant for Bury St Edmunds.

“This major project will better knit together the cathedral, the abbey and the town. It will also see the abbey ruins getting the tender loving care they deserve through an in-depth conservation programme. Finally, it will involve the community in these much loved, local landmarks, breathing new life into them.

“The success of this bid demonstrates the power of partnership, bringing together the Cathedral, West Suffolk Council, English Heritage and local communities behind a shared ambition to reconnect, conserve and celebrate one of England’s most important historic places.”

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at West Suffolk Council, said, “This is great news for everyone who loves this wonderful part of West Suffolk and its place in our history, heritage and culture.

“This funding announcement comes at a time when we are exploring the cult and mythology of Saint Edmund at Moyse’s Hall Museum and the story that shaped our town and identity a millennia ago.

“Now, thanks to the fantastic support of the Heritage Fund and the work led by the partners, the Abbey will be reborn, helping more people better understand the former Abbey site, preserving the ruins for years to come, and making other improvements to aid the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.”

Led by a partnership of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, English Heritage and West Suffolk Council (the project partners) have come together as members of The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership (comprising 29 organisations and individuals who care about the Abbey) to develop and deliver this project.

Project Manager Update: June

Project Manager, James Mellish, shares more about building a new generation of guides.

The Abbey of St Edmunds Reborn Project is helping to forge stronger connections between St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the historic town of Bury St Edmunds, with a pioneering guide training programme creating a new generation of ambassadors for both destinations, in conjunction with Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides.

St Edmundsbury Cathedral recently celebrated the accreditation of 11 new White Badge tour guides, formally recognised at a presentation ceremony on 11 June 2026. Approved by the Institute of Tourist Guiding (ITG), the White Badge confirms that guides have the knowledge and skills to confidently lead tours within the Cathedral.

The new White Badge Guides with their certificates.

The accreditation marks the culmination of an intensive training programme that began in January 2026. Participants undertook lectures, extensive independent research and rigorous examinations, including answering 100 questions in just 60 minutes and delivering information at randomly selected locations.

Importantly, this is the first programme of its kind in the country to link White and Green Badge training. Developed through a partnership between St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides, the initiative reflects the collaborative spirit at the heart of the Abbey of St Edmunds Reborn Project. The course was led by Mike Dean, Adrian Tindall and Lynn Whitehead of Bury St Edmunds Tour Guides, alongside the Cathedral’s Librarian, who provided specialist expertise on the Cathedral’s rich history and heritage.

The newly accredited guides are already progressing towards Green Badge status, which will enable them to lead tours of the Abbey ruins and the wider town. By creating guides who can interpret both the Cathedral and the wider Abbey precinct, visitors will enjoy a more joined-up experience of Bury St Edmunds’ remarkable heritage.

With the town’s guides handling more than 3,500 bookings annually and both the Cathedral and town attracting national and international recognition, this innovative partnership demonstrates how working together can enrich visitor experiences and ensure the stories of St Edmund’s Abbey continue to inspire future generations.

Project Manager Update: May

Project Manager, James Mellish, talks and The Bury Wildlife Festival 2026

The historic heart of the Abbey Gardens came alive with nature, learning, and community spirit during the hugely successful Bury Wildlife Festival 2026, held on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 May with the Bury Water Meadows Group.

Project Manager James Mellish attending the Bury Wildlife Festival

The festival celebrated the rich biodiversity of the Abbey area while highlighting the urgent importance of climate action and wildlife conservation. Families, students, conservationists, and visitors of all ages gathered to explore how nature can thrive in the centre of our town.

A wide range of inspiring stall holders shared ideas, projects, and practical advice, covering topics from cleaning up local habitats and protecting Suffolk wildlife to creating natural spaces for wildlife at home. Visitors discovered fascinating talks and displays including Prickly Friends in Your Garden at Night, Bury’s Swifts, The Future of Gardening, Rejuvenating Biodiversity in the Abbey Area, and Strings of Beads: The Rivers Lark and Linnet through Bury St Edmunds. The Journey from Trout Lakes to Nature Reserve also showcased the remarkable transformation of local landscapes.

Guided walks proved especially popular throughout the weekend, offering visitors the chance to experience nature first-hand. Activities included Bird Walks, Tree Walks, Incredible Insects, Plant Walks, and the thought-provoking walk exploring how Bury’s Lark Valley has changed over the centuries. Younger visitors enthusiastically joined the family-friendly bug safaris, discovering the miniature wildlife hidden within the Abbey grounds.

The festival continued beyond the weekend with a multi-sensory, interactive exhibition in the South Cloister of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, showcasing the creative response to our natural environment of the 165 primary school children who attended the Festival on Friday 15 May.

Together, the festival demonstrates how heritage, education, and community action can help shape a greener and more sustainable future for Bury St Edmunds.

Abbey and Cathedral drone Alex Uglow 1000x500

Planning Permissions Granted for Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn

A major milestone for the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project has been reached with the successful approval of all planning applications for the project.

This marks a significant step forward in realising project partners, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council and English Heritage’s shared vision to conserve, enhance, and re-present this extraordinary historic site for future generations.

The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project reunifies the fragmented 60-acre Abbey of St Edmund site, creating a coherent, accessible and sustainable ‘place making’ cultural destination. The project will:

Make the Abbey site more inclusive – physically, intellectually and emotionally
Conserve the Abbey ruins and give them a sustainable future
Provide a 1.4km circular route which re-connects the Abbey to the Cathedral and historic town
Build a new West Cloister which will host community displays and creative exhibitions
Safeguard a number of listed buildings facing Angel Hill, giving them a new life as a heritage and welcome centre with visitor facilities including an interpretation space, community room, washrooms, and a shop
Establish biodiversity and environmental stewardship programme throughout the Abbey area
Deliver 47 coordinated community activities, 200 volunteering, 21 training opportunities, two apprenticeships and five funded staff posts, in collaboration with 29 local organisations spanning heritage, biodiversity, archaeology and the creative sectors.

In 2024, the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project was granted development funding of £729,553 in order to develop the project plans and inform the Delivery Phase application. A £9.8m Delivery Phase application to The National Lottery Heritage Fund was submitted in February for the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project and a funding decision will be made later in the year.

Over the past 20 months, a professional design team has worked intensively to develop a comprehensive and carefully considered set of proposals. These include essential conservation repairs to the ruins, the creation of a new Visitor Centre and West Cloister, improved accessible pathways throughout the site, and a series of biodiversity enhancements designed to enrich the landscape.

This work has been delivered in close collaboration with project partners, St Edmundsbury Cathedral, West Suffolk Council, and English Heritage, who have come together as members of The Abbey of St Edmund Heritage Partnership (comprising 29 organisations and individuals who care about the Abbey) to develop and deliver this project.

Throughout the planning process, feedback from statutory consultees, amenity societies, and the wider public has been overwhelmingly positive. This strong support reflects the project’s sensitive and thoughtful approach to preserving the Abbey’s exceptional historic significance while making it more accessible and engaging.

The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury says, “This is a major step forward for the project. We have been working with an incredible team of specialists for around 18 months to bring us to this point, especially conservation architects Purcell and interpretation designers RFA Design. Two final and defining milestones remain. The first is to secure a delivery grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, which we hope to achieve later this year. The second is to complete the fundraising – the finishing line is almost within touching distance, but we still need a little bit more support and then we’re there!”

Given the complexity of the site, nine approvals have been secured across multiple areas, including planning permission, listed building consent, Scheduled Monument Consent, and relevant ecclesiastical approvals. Each stage has been undertaken with rigorous attention to detail and in close consultation with the appropriate authorities. In total, the applications were supported by over 140 detailed drawings and 23 specialist reports and surveys, demonstrating both the necessity of the works and the long-term benefits they will deliver.

Project Manager Update: April

Project Manager, James Mellish, talks connecting Suffolk’s Heritage

A major step forward has been reached for the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project, with a £9.8 million Delivery Phase application now submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Meanwhile, a series of talks will take place across Suffolk to spread the word about the project and our aims, specifically in areas outside of Bury St Edmunds which has already seen public consultation and project update talks. These sessions have been organised in partnership with local heritage sites to deliver project information to new audiences. These evening events will be hosted at:

The Food Museum in Stowmarket on Tuesday 26 May
National Trust Ickworth in Horringer on Wednesday 17 June
National Trust Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge on Tuesday 23 June
The Hold in Ipswich on Thursday 9 July

These talks aim to build a stronger, county-wide heritage network, encouraging collaboration between sites while encouraging shared marketing, communications and visitor journeys across Suffolk.

Additionally, on Saturday 16 May, the Abbey Gardens will host a special Bury Wildlife Festival ‘Revealing our living landscape’ organised by the Bury Water Meadows Group, celebrating the natural environment at the heart of this project. This event will highlight the ecological significance of the Abbey site and offer opportunities for visitors to engage with nature, conservation and local wildlife.

Looking ahead

Through conservation, storytelling and collaboration, the Abbey of St Edmund Reborn project will reanimate this historic site for new audiences. With 47 planned activities spanning heritage engagement, creative programmes, biodiversity initiatives and volunteering, the project will create lasting opportunities for communities across Suffolk.

Together, the partnership is building a sustainable future for the Abbey, one that secures its place as a centre for heritage, learning and community for generations to come.