Near Norwich Is A Small Town With Shops, Tasty Eats, And A Scenic Castle Inside A National Park

Many visitors to England naturally focus on London, which receives more than 20 million tourists most years. Sure, you can follow the crowd and spend most of your time in the capital city, ticking off the big sights. But there are a lot of interesting towns and cities worth discovering beyond that famous urban center. One of these, Bungay (pronounced Bun-gee with a hard "g"), is a historic market town dating back to the Roman Empire. Located in Waveney Valley, it's about three hours' drive from London and 45 minutes south of Norwich.

Bungay is by no means a large place. You can stroll around most of its downtown in about 20 minutes. The town also hasn't changed much over the past 150 years, and its population these days barely exceeds 5,000 residents. Known as "the jewel in Waveney's crown," it possesses old-world beauty on a small scale. Downtown has narrow streets intersecting historic buildings now housing shops and restaurants that spill out onto the squares. Squat, brick buildings crowd along the sidewalks, with cute stores on street level lending color to the otherwise largely brown and gray architecture.

All this surrounds what's arguably Bungay's most prominent attraction, the medieval Bungay Castle. It's a captivating reminder of the town's rich history, but certainly isn't the only one. A Grade 1-listed church and priory ruins (a designation indicating structures of extreme interest or historical importance) also reside downtown, as well as a Georgian theater and the 17th-century Butter Cross that represents Bungay's market town heritage. History weaves in and out of this place, complementing the retail therapy and enticing dining opportunities on offer.

Today, regular market days maintain Bungay's historic traditions. They're also a great time to visit the town if you fancy shopping. The town's Thursday markets around the Butter Cross have been running since the 14th century. There aren't a ton of stalls at this one — mostly vendors selling fruit and vegetables, olives, cakes, and pet food. The Butter Cross also holds the Local Artisan & Producers' Market on the last Saturday of each month during summer. This one has more variety, with stalls selling home-baked treats, homemade clothing, jewelry, refurbished furniture, and local produce. Bungay also hosts special seasonal markets along Earsham Street, including a lively Christmas Market in December and the Garden Market in May.

Local shops are open during and outside of market days, helping you get a little retail therapy most days of the week. Crocks of Bungay is a cute gift shop worth browsing for unique souvenirs. The family-owned-and-run shop sells various items, including artfully decorated books, mugs, and handbags, as well as jewelry. A Sweet For You caters to sweet tooths, selling traditional candy in a medieval building. It also stocks Pez, ice cream, puppets, and high-quality wooden toys.

Don't fill up on candy though, because Bungay has multiple restaurants and cafes worth visiting. The Fleece Inn is considered to be one of the town's top restaurants. This cozy pub transports you back to the 15th century with its exposed timber beams and low ceiling. The sunny courtyard caters to summer days, while the fireplace warms chilled bones on winter nights. Wash down wild boar, venison, and farm-fresh vegetables with local ales. Fancy a high tea? Pop into The Old Bank, a vintage tearoom serving homemade cakes and scones with tea served on traditional tiered cake stands. It also hosts open mic nights.

Bungay Castle (aka Bigod Castle) is an important historic landmark in the town, dating back to the 12th century when it was constructed as a stronghold during repeated conquests between lords and kings in the region. It has had many owners since, eventually coming to be owned and looked after by the Castle Trust. One of the castle's most unique features is its unassuming entry, which is found in the adjacent Bigod's Kitchen. The castle is temporarily closed in 2026 for ongoing preservation works, but you can learn more about it at the cafe or picnic on the adjacent Castle Hills while admiring valley views.

The castle and town sit on the edge of Norfolk Broads National Park, known locally as The Broads. This is a vast and varied national park, sprawling across bits of Norfolk and Suffolk. Visitors have a lot of activities on offer, including boating, sailing, and paddling down miles of meandering waterways. You can also walk along nature trails, go stargazing and fishing, and visit numerous historic sites, including churches, halls, and gardens. The Broads also contains other interesting towns and cities like Norwich, a medieval charmer with UNESCO status, unique shops, and historic delights.

You can easily drive to Bungay from London and Norwich. You can also catch a combination of trains and buses from London, which takes about three hours. The number 41 bus from Norwich tends to take one hour. Bungay has a few hotels and bed-and-breakfasts. If you prefer to explore Norwich's nearby coastal towns, check out Cromer's renowned ocean pier and beachside cliffs. You could also combine Bungay with Great Yarmouth, another coastal town that offers visitors beach beauty and family-friendly parks, only a 40-minute drive away.