I climbed 202 steps to the top of St Edmundsbury Cathedral Tower in Bury St Edmunds - and here’s why you should too

Built to last 1,000 years, it’s hard to imagine that the St Edmundsbury Cathedral tower has been part of the town’s skyline for only 20 years.

Standing at 160ft (nearly 50 metres) high, the Millennium Tower Project was completed in July 2005 after six years of construction using traditional methods and materials.

The vaulted ceiling, with its bright red, green and blue colours, honours the cathedral’s original architect, John Wastell, and Master Hugo, the illustrator of the Bury Bible.

Completed in 2010, it marked the final phase of the project.

In fact, the tower may be one of the few places in the world to offer a glimpse into how ancient cathedral towers once looked in their pristine condition - and possibly one of the last of its kind to be built.

These are just some of the fascinating facts I learned while climbing 202 steps - though, I might add, out of breath - up the cathedral tower last week.

Along with six other visitors, I joined the first tower tour of the season on a day when the weather could not have been better - clear, sunny, and, as some said, even hotter than Barcelona - but was the climb worth it?

Here’s my experience:

What can I expect to learn on the tour:

For some, the word ‘history’ might not be their cup of tea – but for me, it always has been, so I knew I was in the right place

However, even for those less eager, the history of the Abbey – its destruction some 500 years ago – and how King Charles helped push the project forward by laying the first brick in 1999, are stories too interesting to miss.

Our tour guides Jill and Robert took us through 1,000 years of the cathedral’s history, shedding light on the site’s complex past.

I was very impressed by not only their sense of humour, which made the 75-minute tour fly by and worth its £12 price tag, but also by the wealth of detailed history they had memorised.

Without giving too much away, there are some key sights that make the climb worthwhile, such as watching the organist play – something much harder to see from the ground floor – or the two time capsules stored in the vaulted ceiling.

Those won’t be opened for another 500 years (and unfortunately, we won’t be around to witness it) - but you can definitely find out what was put inside them.

That however, I will leave as a surprise for those who brave the climb.

The climb and the views from the top:

Although navigating 202 steps of the spiral staircase, with a step ladder thrown in for good measure, was hard work, if I managed to climb it (without being the most active person), so can you.

Luckily, there was a chance to catch our breath as we stopped to look inside the cathedral and admire the impressive vaulted ceiling.

We also stopped on the south side of the tower, where we caught the first glimpse of the Norman Tower, before ascending to the top – though watch out for the few spider webs along the way.

Reaching the top and seeing Bury from 160ft, I could only say one thing: Wow.

From spotting the chimneys of Greene King and the Sugar Beet Factory to the Angel Hotel and the Abbey ruins, I was lost for words.

In my 17 years of living here, I'd always wanted to do this – and it was better than I ever expected.

At the top, we had plenty of time not only to take in the views (and catch our breath) but also to snap plenty of pictures.

What to think about before the tour:

The first thing I want to emphasise is to wear comfortable shoes.

The tour, which runs every Wednesday at 2pm and Saturdays at 10.30am, from March to October, needs to be booked in advance via the cathedral website.

The staircase is steep and narrow, and the stop points on the way up can get crowded, so all bags will be locked away by the tour guides. However, you can bring your phone or camera.

Concluding thoughts:

If you haven’t been - book now. And if you have, why not go again? I’d definitely do it a second time.

Bury has a rich history and stunning architecture, and the tower tour offers a glimpse into both.

I think many Bury residents are in the same boat as me – always wanting to go but never getting around to it.

Bury’s history attracts thousands of visitors each year, many of whom take tours like this. I never realised just how good they were until I went on one last week.

I think the 20th anniversary is the perfect opportunity to join the visitors and learn more about the town's landmark, which many of us pass by daily without knowing what it holds inside.