The Times Newspaper Recently Published its Top 30 Towns in Britain, with Bungay sitting pretty in the top 20 places to live in the whole country

To Bungay residents The Times Newspaper Top 20 town classification is no surprise. Most already know what a gem this market town is and we think it is best described by Guardian Journalist Tom Dyckhoff in his article about why Bungay is a great place to move to when he says: ‘Bungay is a town that’s fallen down the back of the sofa. All sorts of peculiar things end up here. Like Julian Assange who, before he holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy, chose to squirrel himself away in Bungay. They still have shops selling wicker baskets.’

So what did The Times have to say about Bungay in Suffolk and why they feel it is a Top 20 Town to live in The UK

‘Why is it so great? Set in a meander of the River Waveney, Bungay is a tranquil and historic town. Lots of walking, cycling and fishing and there is a theatre. The Norfolk Broads are near enough for day trips.
Who lives here? Nigel Steele of Jackson-Stops & Staff says it’s still a farming community but it is popular with Norwich commuters.

House prices: Most property is Georgian and Victorian, especially Upper Olland Street and The Staithe, costing up to £1 million. The average price is £173,714.

So it looks like this article may increase the exposure of Bungay’s property to outside markets, could Bungay be in for a property boom?

Articles like this are on the whole a good thing. They reinforce peoples opinions who have always lived here and also those who have recently moved to Bungay that yes it is a great place to live. It possibly also reminds those who live here why it is such a great place to live. Articles such as this will increase the interest in the town and that can only be a good thing for local businesses. I guess the only fear would be for residents who may already be struggling to buy their first home due to current property prices and the difficulties in getting a larger enough deposit for a mortgage.

Articles such as this may encourage second home buyers to buy-up property in Bungay and therefore inflate the bungay house prices as their non-local salaries are not the same as those living locally. Having said that, there may be local property owners who welcome an increase in house prices. Either way, its got to be a good thing that Bungay is a top 20 place to live in the UK, so lets celebrate it and continue to welcome visitors to our wonderful market town.

What are your thoughts on Bungay making the top 20 places to live? Leave your comments below…

As one of Britain’s great undiscovered towns, Bungay is the place to go if you’re looking for a Great British holiday which combines beautiful landscapes, unspoilt rural living and thousands of years of heritage.

As part of the newly-formed Waveney Valley Tourism group, Bungay is uniquely poised to cater for all kinds of holiday, from family adventures to romantic getaways. The Waveney Valley Tourism Group is designed to co-ordinate local facilities, and to make sure that tourists have the holiday of a lifetime.

Along with Beccles and Halesworth, Bungay has been identified as a gem of the Waveney Valley holiday circuit, and tourists are now able to access attractions via the Waveney Valley Tourism Group website. With everything from images of the region to innovative Waveney Valley Green Tourism initiatives, this new local tourism hub is a great way to see what East Anglia has to offer.

So if you’re planning a holiday in the Waveney Valley, make sure you check out this incredible new resource, so you can see for yourself what makes this area so special.

The weather isn’t great in winter, but let us think of summer time. To help you get the most out of the sunshine this year, we’ve put together this handy guide to the best summer days out in Bungay, so if you’re looking for the chance for some family fun in the sun, read on.

Summertime is the perfect time to celebrate Britain’s unique heritage. Bungay is steeped in history and spending a few hours walking around the town and visiting its wide range of independent shops is a great thing to do this summer. How about a day trip around the grounds of Bungay Castle? It is an unmissable opportunity. With a newly-built visitor centre and a delightful courtyard cafe, the medieval castle really does have something for everyone.

Bungay and nearby Beccles is a great base for a day spent exploring the South Broads, and Hipperson’s Boat Hire offers some great one day rental deals, perfect for soaking up a little extra sun.

If you really want to treat your kids to a fun-packed day out, why not taker them to the
Moo Play Farm which lets kids enjoy all the fun of the farm and spend time with a whole host of adorable animals? While they tire themselves out, you can enjoy the excellent cafe facilities and walk around the farm’s stunning grounds.

For more details on things to do in Bungay, check out our directory of Bungay attractions

Have you ever wondered which day is Market Day in Bungay? Well, its Thursdays

Bungay is a wonderfully delightful Suffolk Market town, the name gives it away a bit, but yes there is a market day in Bungay. That day is Thursdays. So if anyone asks you when is market day in Bungay? You can tell them that market day in Bungay is Thursday.

If you are thinking of visiting Bungay, anyday is a good day, but if you want to experience Bungay is full market town swing then come on a Thursday, as market day is Thrusday in Bungay. People selling their local produce is great to see and really handy if you are actually in need of some high quality local produce. These bits make great gifts to take home, a little slice of Bungay based cheese will go down well at a dinner party in north London that is for sure. So Once again, if you want to come to Bungay in Suffolk, market day is on THURSDAY!

We all love our mums, and with Mothers Day around the corner, it’s time to make sure we’ve got our gifts and activities ready for the big day. Luckily, Love Bungay is here to help with this handy Bungay Mothers Day Guide to what’s on and what’s new!

No Mothers Day would be complete without flowers, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a beautiful bunch ready for the big day. Bungay florist New Beginnings Florist is a great place to get your bouquet, with a huge range and same day delivery available.

Remember, Bungay itself is a great place to take your mum on a special mothering sunday day out. Take a walk around town, and treat her to something special from one of Bungay’s unique boutique shops, then finish off with a tasty pub lunch at one of the town’s excellent eateries.

We’ve hunted down the very best Bungay-themed Mothers Day gifts on the net, so if your mum loves Bungay like we do, make sure you don’t miss out!

If your a fan of Electronica music, Bungay is the place to go!

The Bungay Bash arrives at The Fisher Theatre in Bungay on Saturday June 4th, and plays host to some of the finest electronica and progressive rock bands in the UK.

At the gig are Code Indigo, who’s music is often said to be hard to describe, so who better to have a crack at it than the band themselves.

“Code Indigo is one of those hard to categorize progressive rock bands whose music and concept style albums cross genres and appeal to a wide range of audiences. With strong melodic compositions, an imaginative combination of keyboards, guitar, samples and rhythms plus a good helping of atmosphere and sublime “off the wall” moments, their music compares to that of a Blade Runner style soundtrack.

A sort of ‘electronic keyboard music meets guitar based instrumental rock with vocal textures, masses of samples, experimental, ambient and down tempo chill out influences’ all part of the mix. Think ‘Art of Noise, Enigma and instrumental Pink Floyd’ or classic rock music for ex-rockers who have mellowed with age.”

If that’s not enough to intrigue you, there are a collection of other electronic bands that are sure to get you buzzing.

Get yourself down to the Bungay Bash in Bungay for a bit of musical entertainment this summer. To find out what else is going on in Bungay, check out our What’s On page.

The Fisher Theatre plays host to As You Like It by William Shakespeare this summer.

On the midsummer nights of the 6th to the 9th of July Shakespeares Globe Theatre will present the classic play.

‘As You Like It’ follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution in her uncle’s court, accompanied by her cousin Celia and Touchstone the court jester, to find safety and eventually love in the Forest of Arden.

This summer will provide a great opportunity to get a taste of the famous Shakespeare production, whether a new comer or lover of Englands most famous Playwright.

As well as this, the Fisher Theatre is putting on a whole range of shows. The Bungay Theatre Groups ‘Prepare to meet thy tomb’, promises murder, mayhem, secret passages and plenty of laughs!

Its not only theatre though. There’s plenty of music to get involved with, from Jazz nights to Salsa lessons, there is something for everyone.

Famous Guitarist Juan Martin will also be at the Fisher Theatre, Bungay, in April. The Flamenco guitarist has recorded with Herbie Hancock and played with legend Miles Davis. His track ‘Love theme from The Thorn Birds’ broke into the top ten in 1984.

There is certainly a lot to choose from, and just one of the reasons to visit Bungay this spring and summer.

The theatre is always an interesting place to go. If you haven’t been, take a visit and you’ll find out whether its “to be or not to be”.

A Video of the town of Bungay in Suffolk

Here is a video put together to show just what Bungay in Suffolk looks like, and what to do and see when you get to Bungay in Suffolk. One of the main reasons people will come to visit Bungay is for its history. Lovely old buildings adorn this Suffolk market town and the peaceful pace of life make it a very relaxing place to live and visit.

Let us know what you think of this Video of Bungay in Suffolk

If you have made a video which can assist in promoting Bungay and also help people who have not visited the town before to get an idea of what Bungay in Suffolk is like, then please get in touch with the team here at Love Bungay.

If you are looking for a great day out in Suffolk make sure you pay a visit to the Bungay Festival this summer!

The Bungay Festival runs from 3rd –to the 25th of July. Its is a family friendly three week long festival packed with lots of fun activities which aim to celebrate the local culture. The famous Ale Trails will allow the ale lovers to try a number of local specialities and the annual antiques market will prove as popular as ever with people who like antiques. Visitors will also find music, literature, theatre, sport and arts will also feature in the Bungay festival programme.

Full Bungay Festival Listings

Saturday 3rd July:

Opening Ceremony – Caslte Meadow, 10:30am
The flag will be raised by the Town Mayor and the Town Reeve followed by a procession led by the Town Crier to the Country Market and finishing at the Old Grammar School Playing Field.

Country Market – The Butter Cross, 8:30am-12pm
Selling home baking, savouries, preserves, plants, crafts and seasonal vegetables & flowers.

Kid’s Fun Day – Old Grammar School Field, 11am-5pm
Organised by Bungay Rotary, Bungay Youth Association & St. Edmund’s PTA.

Band Concert – St Mary’s Church, 7pm
Leiston Royal British Legion perform.

Black Dog Arts: Garden Art Trail – Bungay, 11am-3pm
A chance to see artworks in six Bungay gardens.

Sunday 4th July:

Youth Football Tournament – Maltings Meadow Sports Ground, 10:30am-4pm
Football tournament for under 10s and under 13s.

Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – Willows Cafe & Three Willows Garden Centre, 2-4pm
Alice in Wonderland themed cakes served with teas and coffees.

Black Dog Arts: Garden Art Trail – Bungay, 11am-3pm
A chance to see artworks in six Bungay gardens.

Monday 5th July:

Come and Try Running – Maltings Meadow Sports Centre, 6-7pm
Eight-week course starting today.

Celebrating 75 years of St Johns Ambulance in Bungay – St Johns Ambulance HQ, 7-9pm
Display and refreshments.

Tuesday 6th July:

Bungay Festival Ale Trail – Meet at Castle Inn, 7:30pm
Visiting the Castle Inn, the King’s Head, the Three Tuns, and the Chequers where the hosts are supplying a buffet.

Thursday 8th July:

Display of St. John Through the Ages – Emmanuel Church, 9:30-11:30am
Display and refreshments.

A Musical Evening in St Edmunds – St Edmund’s Church, 7pm
Bungay Choral Society and St Edmunds Choir perform, with refreshments during the interval.

Friday 9th July:

Alice in Bungleland – Fisher Theatre, 7pm
A festival dinner with a performance on Alice in Bungleland performed by Bungay Theatre Group written by Betty Warnes, Chris Reeve & Marlene Jervis.

Saturday 10th July:

Bungay Camera Club Annual Exhibition – St Mary’s Church, 9am-6pm

Teddy Bears’ Picnic – Castle Meadow, 11am-2pm
Bring your bears and a picnic for lots of fun and games.

RAF Film & Exhibition – Bungay Community Centre, 7pm
A history of the Royal Air Force film and exhibition to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain with refreshments and a raffle.

Sunday 11th July:

Antiques Fair – Earsham Street, 9am-4pm
Antiques, collectables and much more!

Craft Fair – Fisher Theatre, 10:30am-4pm

Youth Football Tournament – Maltings Meadow Sports Club, 10:30am
Organised by Bungay Town FC, with barbeque, bar, teas and coffees.

Bungay Camera Club Annual Exhibition – St Mary’s Church, 9am-6pm

Monday 12th July:

Readers and Writers Evening – Bungay Library, 7:30-9:30pm
Speaker: Henry Sutton – the Daily Mirror Brooks Editor, local novelist and the Creative Writing Fellow at UEA.

Bungay Camera Club Annual Exhibition – St Mary’s Church, 9am-6pm

Tuesday 13th July:

Real Ale Trail – Meet at Duke of York, 7:30pm
Visiting the Duke of York, the Green Dragon, the White Swan and the Fleece where a buffet will be supplied by the hosts.

Wednesday 14th July:

Probus Open Meeting: An Indian Experience – Mettingham Village Hall, 10:45-12pm
The Probus Club open their doors to all for a talk by Peter Baker with plenty of parking and coffes & teas.

What? Where? When? – 25 Trinity Street, 6:30pm
Dowsing objects & maps to discover what it is, where it is and how old it is.

Thursday 15th July:

Guided Tour – St Edmund’s Church, 7pm
A guided tour of St Edmund’s Church followed by a tour of the gravestones & ceiling bosses of St Mary’s.

Friday 16th July:

Coffee Morning – All Hallows Nursing Home, 10am-12pm
Homemade produce and cake stall, drinks and scones.

Saturday 17th July:

Open Churches Week – Holy Trinity Church, 9am-5pm
Come and view this beautiful church, refreshments available.

Horticultural Show – Community Centre, 1:30-4:15pm
Displays of fruit, veg, and flowers plus refreshments and a raffle.

The Norwich Mozart Orchestra – St Mary’s Church, 7:30pm
Performance by the Norwich Mozart Orchestra presented by the NSPCC Bungay Committee.

Sunday 18th July:

Classic Car Rally – Maltings Meadow Sports Club, 10am-4pm
Lowestoft & District Classic Car Club have their annual classic car rally with bar, barbeque, teas & coffees, car boot sale and entertainment.

The Godric Way Cycle Ride – Meet at the Butter Cross, 10am

Church Tower Tour – St Mary’s Church, 11am-4pm
See Bungay as you’ve never seen it before in this tour of the Church Tower of St Mary’s.

Tuesday 20th July:

Bungay Festival Ale Trail – Depart from the Butter Cross, 7pm
By coach to St Peter’s Brewery, The Rumburgh Buck, The Artichoke and The Queen’s Head where the hosts will supply a buffet.

Bungay WI Open Meeting – Bungay Community Centre, 7:15pm
Speaker: Mr Pip Wright on John Steggal, the Suffolk Gypsy.

Wednesday 21st July:

Shakespeare at the Castle – Bungay Castle, 7:30pm
Performance of Othello at Bungay Castle – for tickets call 01986 892905.

Friday 23rd July:

Flower Festival – Holy Trinity Church, 10am
This year’s theme is Summer Wedding.

Town Reeve’s Ball – Bungay Caslte, 7pm-12am
Cocktails, cabaret, 3 course meal. For tickets call 01986 894681.

Saturday 24th July:

Flower Festival – Holy Trinity Church, 10am
This year’s theme is Summer Wedding.

Sunday 25th July:

Festival Songs of Praise – St Mary’s Church, 3pm

Flower Festival – Holy Trinity Church, 11am
This year’s theme is Summer Wedding.

Flag Lowering Ceremony – Bungay Castle, 5pm
The Town Mayor and the Town Reeve mark the end of this year’s festival.

Swimming is a Great Way To Keep Fit & Healthy | Spash Down To Bungay Swimming Pool

The Bungay Swimming Pool Is a a super fun swimming pool for all the family. Featuring a thrilling 42ft water slide which provides an exciting way to enter the water at the indoor heated Swimming Pool. For the less adventurous there are the more conventional steps to the pool.

Bungay Swimming Pool Features include:

The Bungay Swimming pool is open 7 days a week and has lane swimming, junior swimming lessons, adult swimming lessons, mother and toddler swim groups and clubs. Bungay Swimming Pool in Bungay in Suffolk is also available for private hire or galas on either Saturday or Sunday evening

Bungay Swimming Pool, St Johns Hill, Bungay, Suffolk NR35 2AQ
Tel: 01986 895014