St Edmund's Monument

St Edmund's Monument is a stone and brick structure standing in a field east of Abbey Hill, marking the location traditionally associated with the king's death at the hands of Viking raiders. The simple form is built from durable materials designed to withstand the English weather and remain standing across generations.

The memorial was built in 1849 after an ancient tree at the site fell and revealed an embedded arrowhead within its wood, offering a tangible link to the medieval tragedy. This discovery reinforced the belief that the location held genuine connection to the historical event.

The monument honors St Edmund, an East Anglian king whose veneration has shaped local identity for centuries. Visitors sense the deep connection between local history and religious faith that continues to define this place today.

The site is accessible by foot along designated pathways and is protected as a national heritage site, so visitors should stay on marked routes. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the surrounding terrain can be uneven and the approach requires walking across fields.

The current structure is not the original - a previous version collapsed during a storm and was later rebuilt under the oversight of Agnes Burrell Bateman-Hanbury. This reconstruction shows how local communities actively preserve and restore their history.

Location: Hoxne

Inception: 1849

Made from material: dimension stone, brick

GPS coordinates: 52.34484,1.20354

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:04