Bungay

Bungay, a picturesque market town in the Waveney Valley, can date it's history back to Roman times. Due to it's high position and the fact that it is partly encircled by the River Waveney, it became an important Roman fortification and many Roman artifacts have been found in and around the area.



While you're unlikely to find Roman artifacts there now, what you will find is streets full of historic character, several independent shops such as Nursey and Son, restaurants, tea and coffee shops, cafes and bars. Bungay is also home to St. Peter's Brewery in St. Peter's Hall, founded in 1996, and carrying a wide variety of organic ciders and ales.



Bungay's rich history includes a spooky side--The Black Shuck. According to legend, on Sunday August 4, 1577, a ghostly hound known as Black Shuck, or 'The Black Dog of Bungay' is said to have appeared at St. Mary's Church during a service, and killed two people and left another injured. The dog then disappeared, though it was later believed to have visited the Cathedral of the Marshes in the same hour on the same night. The Black Shuck's legend has inspired such sporting fare as 'The Black Dog Marathon', which begins in Bungay, and the town's football club is nicknamed the 'Black Dogs'. Black Shuck was also the subject of a song by Lowestoft legends, The Darkness.



Bungay also hosts several notable past residents. It was home to Margaret Barber, the religious writer, and early Canadian writer Susanna Moodie, who was the autor of Roughing it in the Bust, first published in 1852. Novelist Sir H. Rider Haggard was born in nearby Bradenham, later in his life he presented St. Mary's church with a wooden panel still displayed behind the altar.



Thursday is market day in Bungay, and Earsham Street is where you’ll find many of Bungay’s shops. Take a look at the ruins of Bigod’s Castle, built in 1170, details of which can be found at the castle visitor centre on Cross
Street. Bungay Festival, focused around the castle, is held in July.
The town museum is in the District Council Office in Broad Street, and St. Mary's Church, with its tall tower, is the site of the famous local Legend of
BlackShuck.

For more market days and events, check out What's on in Suffolk.
For more on ghostly goings on in Suffolk, check out our Halloween page.
Or, check out Shopping in Suffolk for the best places to shop in the area.