Angel Hill is a famous landmark in Bury St Edmunds. It was originally created in the late Norman period, and is a reminder of the influence the church had in the shaping of the town. Illustrations from the 1800s show Angel Hill as a large open space used by stagecoaches and for hosting major events like the Bury Fair, which by the end of the 15thcentury attracted traders from all over England. It is still used for major events including the Freedom of the Borough ceremonies and the Christmas Fayre.
It is the focus of the town centre conservation area and fronting the square there is an ancient monument, five grade 1 listed buildings and 35 other listed buildings.
Angel Corner is on the north side of Angel Hill, between the Borough Offices and a majestic row of Georgian houses. Nearby is the war memorial, and in the centre of the square is the unique traffic sign, installed in 1935 and the only traffic sign in the country to be listed (Grade 2), known as the 'pillar of salt'.
On the west side are the shop fronts on the corner of Abbeygate Street (which leads up the hill into Bury St Edmunds town centre) and the Angel Hotel. Dickens stayed in this late 18thcentury hotel and used it as the setting for an episode in Pickwick Papers. During elections the hustings was put up in front of the hotel doorway.
On the south side of the hill is The Athenaeum, a recently refurbished Grade 1 listed building which housed the Assembly rooms in the 18thcentury. It has a wonderful chandeliered ballroom and a range of other rooms ideal for special occasions such as wedding receptions and celebration dinners.
The Abbey Gate is on the east side of the hill. It was built in 1347, mainly to defend the Abbey. It, replaced the original gate which was destroyed by the townspeople in 1327 in protest at the Abbey's power over the town. The gate provides a dramatic entrance into the award-winning Abbey Gardens, which border the river Lark and feature the ruins of St Edmunds Abbey as well as magnificent floral beds, playground, sports facilities, aviary, sensory garden and other attractions.
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