September is the month of Heritage Open Days

Between 11 and 20 September events will be taking place across the country celebrating our fantastic history and culture. The range of what’s on offer is breathtaking, and it’s all FREE!

Why not take the train and visit some of the amazing events being held along St. Edmund’s Line?

There's so much on offer it's impossible to cover it all here but there are just a few examples below to whet your appetite. For further information including any booking details for these events, and to see the full list, visit https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ - there’s something for everyone!

11 Sep 2026   Discover Cambridge Biomedical Campus – Walking Tour

Explore one of the world’s leading centres for health, science and innovation on a guided walking tour of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

12 Sep 2026   Making Marks: Celebrating Hertha Ayrton and pioneering women scientists

Find out more about Hertha Ayrton (née Phoebe Marks) and other trailblazing women scientists at the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, with songs from The Cambridge First All-Ladies Fire Brigade musical!

12 Sep 2026   Let the bells ring out for Stowmarket at St Peter & St Mary's Church

Experience the sound of the bells from within the tower, watch the bells ringing at close hand and find out what goes on.

16 Sep 2026   Everyday Selwyn: snippets of staff and student college life since 1882

Learn more about everyday staff and student life at Selwyn since the college was founded in 1882, guided by our Archivist, Elizabeth Stratton.

17 Sep 2026   Architectural Oddities

One of a series of talks by architect Stuart Edgar about special architectural features in Suffolk. Ipswich Unitarian Meeting House.

20 Sep 2026   The Hardest Bridge

As a volunteer with the IRA, Pat Magee planted a bomb in the Grand Hotel, Brighton which killed, among others, Sir Anthony Berry MP, father of Jo Berry. They met up in person later in life and this film records their ongoing dialogue.

20 Sep 2026   Bury St Edmunds Guildhall

Enjoy a weekend of re-enactment in an 800-year-old Grade I listed building in Suffolk. Explore the stories of unsung heroes in the WWII Royal Observer Corps Operations Room, and wander in the beautiful walled gardens.

Norman Tower, St Edmundsbury Cathedral (multiple dates)

Visitors will be able to enjoy a brief history of the Norman Tower, find out information about the bells in the Tower and hear about the art of bellringing. This will include a demonstration of bellringing. There are timed visits lasting 45 minutes.

Ipswich Maritime Trust festivities in the Heritage Harbour (multiple dates)

A weekend of maritime events in Ipswich's Heritage Harbour. Explore heritage vessels, look round our displays in the Old Custom House, and take a self-guided walking tour around the harbour.

Days out by Rail - not just for August!

Did you see the Community Rail Network’s “Days out by Rail” campaign which ran throughout August? No?

Not to worry, there are great things to enjoy up and down our railway lines at any time of year, and St. Edmund’s Line is no exception.

Each week we’ll shine the spotlight on one of our stations through Facebook but here’s a flavour of the great things coming up within easy reach of the line this autumn.

·       Autumn walks along the River Gipping or in our beautiful countryside

·       Exhibitions and events at museums along the line

·       Trips to the theatre in any of our towns and cities

·       Music events at various venues

·       And much, much more!

Don’t forget your train ticket! In fact, why not try Greater Anglia’s Anglia Plus ticket? It comes in a “one-day” or a “3 in 7 day” version. You can buy them on the day of travel and 'hop on and hop off' the train to visit more than one destination in a day. Visit https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tickets-fares/discounts/rangers-rovers/anglia-plus to find out more.

Ipswich to Cambridge rail line to be promoted as St. Edmund’s Line

31 March 2026

The Ipswich to Cambridge rail line is to be promoted as St. Edmund’s Line following a competition launched earlier this year by Greater Anglia and the Ipswich to Cambridge Community Rail Partnership (CRP) to find a promotional name for the route.

Over 1000 entries were received and by far the most popular suggestion was St. Edmund’s Line, reflecting the history of Saint Edmund who in his lifetime was King of the East Angles and was later canonised to become a saint. His life in, and links to, the area have long been recognised, not least in the name of the town of Bury St Edmunds, and over the years has also been highlighted in names for local authorities, churches, and appropriately, trains too. There have even been attempts to have St Edmund adopted as the patron saint of England.

With these long-established links which relate to the history of the area, the name St Edmund’s Line is a fitting title to help raise the profile of this important regional rail axis, as the CRP works to help promote and develop the line, consistent with the needs of the local community.

The CRP was set up in Autumn 2024 and today held its first external stakeholder event following the appointment of a CRP officer, a chair and the adoption of the promotional name for the line. It will now ramp up its proactive work to promote the use of the railway for work, education, leisure, retail and tourism, to help communities make their station an attractive asset in their area, and to promote the locations along the line.

The CRP officer, Lesley Rayner, is already in touch with many local groups and organisations along the line and the list is expanding all the time. Initiatives are likely to include increasing the profile of St Edmund’s Line, developing promotional materials, supporting local events and improving station facilities.

Tracey Harding, Chair of what is now the St. Edmund’s Line CRP said:

“We were really pleased with the high level of interest and participation in our competition to find a promotional name for the Ipswich to Cambridge line and the attractive locations it serves. The name St. Edmund’s Line was by far the most popular and really captures the essence of the area. It will help us strengthen ties with the local community and increase passenger numbers.”

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs, Greater Anglia, said:

“We’re delighted that there was such a popular and appropriate name put forward for the Ipswich to Cambridge Line. The St Edmund’s Line title will help us raise the profile of the route and encourage more people to take the train, visit the exciting places along it, and support the local economy. We’re sure it will help this key regional rail route to continue to thrive in the years ahead.”