Bury St Edmunds

The city of Bury St Edmunds is actively attempting to support motorhomers by providing parking spaces for the longer vehicles. Emglish towns generally are mot as accommodating.  We were joined by a French van for our overnight stop.

Everyday there there seems to be a need to stock up with supplies, so away to the supermarket first thing. It is interesting just the variety of produce and the countries that it is sourced from - all items have a country of origin sign attached. 

Plan for the day was very simple - a short trip to the country estate of the notorious Hervey family. The house built between 1795 and 1829, was formerly the chief dwelling of an estate owned by the Hervey family, later Marquesses of Bristol, since 1467. The building was the creation of the notorious Frederick 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry who commissioned the Italian architect Asprucci to design him a classical villa in the sussex countryside. He then proceded to travel Eurrope for four years to purchase art and fur other to fill the place - all to confiscated by Napoleon and sold off!  The Earl died in 1803, leaving the completion of house to his successor who also then traveled Europe to to fill the house - this time returnng with the furnishings and an art collection. Having done this it was then decided that the building wasn't suitable for a family to live in!

Hervey house near Bury St Edmunds

We took the opportunity to take an extended walk around the walking tracks of the estate to stretch our legs a little.

After this we took a short drive to Thetford where we planned to spend the night. Another beautiful overnight area next to a nature reserve and river with very pleasant outlook and walks. 

Thetford - the ancient danish-Saxon Capital

Another warm day with a few more to come - so we are told!