Bungay, Suffolk

Bungay is rich in history, having been inhabited from pre-historic times, and many features survive indicating its importance and prosperity.

The Roman Well in the town centre is a reminder of the important Roman station at nearby Wainford, and Holy Trinity church dates from Saxon times. Several Saxon burial sites have been discovered both close to the church and in the surrounding district.

The Norman castle, built by Earl Hugh Bigod, dates from the 12th century and was reputed to be one of the most formidable strongholds in the kingdom. A Benedictine priory was established at roughly the same period, and the conventual church of St. Mary's attached to it still dominates the town centre with its elegant flint-faced tower. Bungay survived the devastation caused by the Great Fire of 1688, and, rebuilt in fashionable Georgian style, became so popular as a resort in the 18th century that it was termed "Little London".

The fine Butter Cross with its statue of Justice is one of the best known landmarks in Suffolk, and looks particularly attractive surrounded by colourful stalls on Thursday, market day, a survival from mediaeval times.

Bungay is also famous for the legend of Black Shuck, the savage dog which appeared in the church during a thunderstorm in August, 1577. Two men were killed, and others injured. The beast then ran off to commit similar atrocities at nearby Blythborough. Some folk claim he can still be encountered in the region today. His image is featured in metalwork around the town, and in an embroidered wall-hanging in St. Mary's church. Traditionally Bungay's most feared demon, he has recently become so popular, that he has almost acquired the status of a patron saint.

Apart from its wealth of history, Bungay benefits from a beautiful riverside setting, where swimming, boating, and riverside walks can be enjoyed. The town centre has a good variety of independent and specialist shops, including well established family businesses, Wightman's the drapers, and Nursey's sheepskin products.

There are a number of restaurants, English, Thai, and Indian, and a remarkable range of ancient pubs, which feature every year in the annual Ale Trail during the July Festival.

The town also boasts a superb golf-course, and indoor swimming-pool. New attractions include the Fisher Theatre, recently renovated as a performing arts centre, the Riverside Centre which can be used as a venue and is also home to the Beccles and Bungay Area Community Transport and state-of-the-art canoe club. There is also the Bungay and District Sports Association's Maltings Meadow, upgraded as a multi-sports centre, just across the river at Ditchingham in Norfolk.

The sport of "dwile-flonking" originated in Bungay and has recently enjoyed a revival.

With such a wealth of attractions to offer, Bungay can truly be described in the words of the Georgian song:
"Oh, what a town is old Bungay!
Old Bungay's a wonderful town".

More information on Bungay can be found on the Bungay website

Waveney Valley Blog - www.waveneyvalleyblog.com

The Waveney Valley Blog was set up by Nigel and Susan Bedingfield and it contains very interesting facts and detail about this wonderful area in which we live. For those of you who do not understand what a Blog is then this is taken from the website

"Blog means a web log, which is a daily addition of information and media, it can be about anything, the Waveney Valley Blog is about everything to do with people and communities in the region, so anyone can use the Blog, either to add information or to seek information. The information can be factual as per community related information, photographic records of past and present, what’s on, or fictitious stories and yarns.

This Blog also features local business editorials that inform the regular browsers of the Blog about who can do what and where. Everything being added to the Blog is stored to create a library of information and interest, a web log that can be looked back on for research or amusement.

We hope this helps to explain it, and we look forward to receiving anything you would like to add."