Nowton Park is open all year round from 8.30am until dusk (10pm at the latest in summer). Admission is free.
The park consists of almost 200 acres of beautiful Suffolk countryside landscaped over 100 years ago in typical Victorian style. Until 1985 the park formed part of the Oakes family estate. It is now owned by St Edmundsbury Borough Council and managed for recreation, leisure and nature conservation. Routes around the park vary from a thirty minutes stroll to a one hour walk on the circular path on the perimeter of the park. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.
Access for all - Major routes are wide and way-marked, but the terrain can be variable. The postcode for navigation is IP29 5LU.
The Ranger Centre has been temporarily closed due to the construction of the new building which is due for completion in February 2012. On 28 April 2010 Cabinet recommended the replacement of the old buildings with a single new building containing a cafe, public toilets, set of changing rooms, function room and staff offices. Cabinet report A659, Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds: Proposed Visitor Centre (PDF 148Kb) has more information. The public toilets are still open. The rangers have a temporary office and a new telephone number - 01284 760150 they may be out of the office so for more urgent matters please call the parks administration on 01284 757088.
Facilities include: all-weather pitch; children’s play area (including a wheelchair accessible swing); football pitches; parking; picnic area; and toilets (including a disabled toilet). Bury Leisure Centre (Abbeycroft Leisure) are responsible for taking bookings for the sports facilities. To book a pitch and to obtain fees and charges please phone on 01284 753496.
For more information about Nowton Park visit:
Nowton Park received it's first Green Flag award in 2006 and has since won the prestigious Green Flag award in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
The Management Plan for the park contains a full explanation of how the site is managed: Nowton Park Management Plan 2012 (PDF 1.03Mb)
Metal detecting: We do not permit metal detecting on sites which we know to be archeologically sensitive such as the Abbey Gardens or at West Stow. We do not have a problem with people metal detecting elsewhere in our parks as long as they are considerate to other users (for example do not dig holes in out football pitches, or flower beds, create trip hazards for other visitors, walk across the path of other visitors whist operating the detectors or generally upset or irritate other visitors).
For any further information please contact:
Parks
West Suffolk House
Western Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Phone: 01284 757088
Fax: 01284 757066
Email: parks@stedsbc.gov.uk
Updated 11 January 2012
