Introduction
The Manor House on Honey Hill, Bury St Edmunds was a Georgian mansion which has been restored to its 18th century glory, housing collections of horology and fine and decorative art. Here you can discover clocks, watches, paintings, furniture, costumes, ceramics and objets d'art from the seventeenth to the twentieth century.
The collections are displayed in superb surroundings and interpreted through computer screens, bringing a wealth of knowledge to your fingertips.
The Manor House Museum, a magnificent Georgian town house in the timeless setting of Bury St Edmunds' Great Churchyard, houses a superb series of collections. The displays feature some of the finest clocks and watches to be found anywhere in the world, costume and textiles from the seventeenth century to the present day, and portrait paintings of national importance.
Art and technology constantly interweave themselves through these collections, whether in the intricate inventions of the clockmaker's craft, with magnificent examples drawn from every period and place, or in the gorgeously elaborate beaded decoration of the unique 1920's costume collection, or the innovative print making techniques of artists like Sybil Andrews.
At the same time the changing face of life in the small town of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, is unfolded for us, sometimes comically, as in the satirical prints of Henry Bunbury, sometimes grandly impressive, in portraits by Reynolds or Tissot.
We are most grateful to Graham Portlock for taking the majority of photographs of exhibits displayed on the Manor House pages.
There is a changing programme of events and exhibitions. A range of leaflets is available.
The Cafe
The Manor House Cafe serves a delicious selection of refreshments, lunches and teas seven days a week. The secluded courtyard garden is the perfect place for a relaxing lunch before visiting the museum or for a refreshing cup of tea after a busy morning in town.
The Manor House Shop
The Museum Shop offers a wide range of gifts, including many that hark back to the presents of Victorian England. Particularly popular at Christmas, the shop also stocks an impressive range of books on both the collections and the history of the area.
Friends of the Museum
As a Friend of the Museums of Bury St Edmunds you can play an active part in helping to preserve our heritage, and have the opportunity of participating in special events at the Manor House and Bury's other museums. Friends receive a regular newsletter, which includes background articles and information on the exhibitions.
Mabilla
This group of people interested in costume and textiles includes volunteers who play a central role in assisting the museum curators to conserve and interpret the collection.
Opening Times
The Manor House Museum was open for restricted hours:
11 am to 4 pm, on Wednesday - Sunday;
(available to booked groups at other times).
