This time last year I was wandering around Manchester city centre on the hunt for witchy shops and tarot cards. We tried various places and found a handful of shops, but nothing that staggering considering the size of Manchester.
The following weekend I headed into Bury St Edmunds town centre and was amazed by the number of shops catering to witches, folklore lovers and the spiritually curious. Considering how much smaller Bury St Edmunds is than Manchester, it has an incredible selection of places to browse for tarot and oracle decks, crystals, incense and magical treasures.
As someone who creates folklore-inspired textile art for Wild Minder, I’m always on the lookout for shops like these. So I thought I’d put together a walking guide to help fellow magical souls discover some of my favourite spots in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
Bury St Edmunds is easy to reach whether you’re travelling by car or train.
If you’re driving, I’d recommend parking at Ram Meadow Car Park, which is the starting point for this walking route.
If you’re arriving by train, Bury St Edmunds railway station is around a 10–15 minute walk from Abbey Gardens, where this guide begins.
From there, the whole route is fully walkable, with each stop only a few minutes from the last.
I’ve written this guide as though you’ve parked in Ram Meadow Car Park, with each stop following naturally from the last. Simply follow the route and you can wander from one shop to the next without doubling back.
After you’ve parked and wandered through the beautiful Abbey Gardens, you’ll come to the first stop.
I first discovered Shabby Shack when they had a market stall selling houseplants. Since then they’ve opened a beautiful shop filled with houseplants, garden plants, gorgeous crystals, oracle and tarot decks, essential oils, incense burners and plenty more besides.
The owners are always welcoming and happy to answer questions, whether you’re completely new to crystals or already know exactly what you’re looking for. Set within the beautiful Abbey Gardens, which are magical in their own right, it’s a wonderful place to begin your witchy shopping trip.
Next, make your way up Angel Hill and you’ll come across Lisa Angel.
Originally founded in Norfolk, Lisa Angel has grown into a much-loved independent-inspired lifestyle brand with shops across East Anglia and beyond. They sell jewellery, beautiful homeware, books, wellness gifts and, from time to time, some lovely modern tarot and oracle decks.
Every visit feels slightly different, and there’s always something new to discover. It’s the perfect stop if your style leans more towards modern spirituality, self-care and beautiful design.
Before heading to the market, I’d highly recommend stopping for a coffee (and, more importantly, one of their incredible cakes) at the locally owned café and bar Blend, just a little further up Angel Hill.
If you’re visiting on a Wednesday or Saturday, you’ll find Bury St Edmunds’ weekly market in full swing. There’s often a stall selling crystals, making it well worth a browse.
If you visit on the first Sunday of the month, you’ll catch the wonderful Makers Market, where there are often even more crystal and tarot stalls. It’s also where you’ll sometimes find me with Wild Minder, surrounded by fellow local artists and makers. It’s a fantastic market and well worth planning your visit around if you can.
Now it’s time to head down St John’s Street, one of my favourite streets in Bury St Edmunds.
Packed with independent businesses, it’s home to some real gems. A few honourable mentions include Bimbo’s (my wonderful hairdressers), Vinyl Hunter (my partner’s favourite shop), Odyssey for outdoor adventure gear, and Pocket Watch & Petticoats, which is full of beautiful rock ‘n’ roll-inspired dresses.
But if you’re following this witchy shopping trail, these three shops are essential stops.
3 Cats Vintage is packed with vintage clothing, books, CDs and curiosities. Alongside these you’ll also find incense, tarot and oracle cards, journals, crystals and even miniature besom brooms.
It’s the kind of shop where you’ll almost certainly spot something unexpected.
Sunrise is an absolute must-visit.
It has one of the biggest collections of tarot and oracle decks I’ve found locally, alongside shelves of crystals, incense, candles, ethical clothing, crystal balls, singing bowls, body jewellery and all kinds of mystical treasures.
Whether you’re searching for something specific or simply browsing, it’s very easy to lose track of time in here.
The final independent stop on this trail is Love It.
Alongside beautiful gifts and homeware, they have an impressive collection of crystals as well as palm reading, chakra and astrology cards. It’s another lovely little shop that’s always worth popping into while you’re exploring St John’s Street.
Finally, although it isn’t an independent shop, I couldn’t leave Waterstones off the list.
As a book lover, I could happily spend hours browsing their shelves. They stock a fantastic range of books on folklore, symbolism, astrology, magic and witchcraft, and you’ll usually find a selection of tarot and oracle decks nearby too.
Their rewards scheme is excellent if you’re a regular reader, and I’m always happy to support a bookshop on the high street.
Bury St Edmunds actually has two Waterstones stores. Personally, I tend to visit the one on the main high street rather than the Arc Shopping Centre, and it makes a perfect final stop before wandering back towards the car.
Of course, shop stock changes regularly, so you never quite know what magical treasures you’ll come across on the day – that’s all part of the fun.
Bury St Edmunds has managed to keep such a magical atmosphere. From the ancient ruins of Abbey Gardens to the cobbled streets of Angel Hill and the independent charm of St John’s Street, it’s a wonderful place to spend a day exploring.
If you’re planning a witchy day out in Suffolk, I couldn’t recommend it more. I hope this little guide helps you discover somewhere new – and perhaps even a little bit of magic along the way.