Sometimes described as the jewel in Waveney’s crown, Bungay is partly encircled by the river, with picturesque views over water meadows. The town has a Roman well, Saxon church, the remains of a Norman castle, Benedictine priory and other historic buildings.
Much of the town was destroyed by fire in the 1600s and the town was rebuilt, with its attractive marketplace drawing the rich and fashionable to have residences here, giving it the nickname ‘Little London’. An abundance of beautiful Georgian buildings still lines the streets today.
The town’s economy has centred on the river for much of its history and many wherries would have sailed through, stacked with cargo. The town was a stop-off for boat maintenance and repair.
It’s also known for its church, which once had a rather unusual visitor. The story goes that there was a terrible thunderstorm on Sunday 4 August 1577. Many of the people were gathered in the church praying for mercy (most houses were made of wood and storms could start deadly fires) when a black hellhound, said to be the devil himself, appeared in the church and attacked the congregation. Two people died, before the dog left for Blythburgh church, around 12 miles from here, where it attacked and killed more. You can see scorch marks from the dog’s claws on the door of Blythburgh church.
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Amenities
Today the town has plenty to keep you busy, including football, running and cycling clubs, as well as many scenic walks. It’s home to one of the oldest printworks in the country – the Harry Potter books were first printed here.
Whether you fancy bacon sandwiches from the Earsham Street Café or warming pub grub from any of the town’s gastropubs, Bungay offers something for everyone. You can take afternoon tea at the Old Bank Tearoom or something with a more international flavour from various popular restaurants and takeaways – Cambodian, Indian, pizza and more, it’s all here.
Unusually, the town has its own winery, Flint Vineyard, as well as dairy-making raw products, including Baron Bigod cheese, named after Roger Bigod who owned the castle here, as well as nearby Framlingham Castle.
Bungay has a wealth of shops and amenities, as well as leisure facilities, such as the Fisher Theatre, said to be one of the oldest provincial theatres in the UK, where today you can catch films, plays, exhibitions and more.
Education
With two primary schools and a high school with sixth form, Bungay offers education for children aged 4-18, making it a great choice for families.
Did you know?
Bungay is the only town in the UK to still have a town Reeve – a senior official with responsibility for the market and other functions, reporting to the Crown.
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