Bury is frequently celebrated for its cultural assets, having served as the Greater Manchester Town of Culture from 2019 to 2021.

: The town was home to John Kay , inventor of the flying shuttle, and his son Robert Kay , who invented the drop box—innovations that revolutionized the global textile trade.

: Sir Robert Peel , twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and founder of the modern Metropolitan Police, was born in Bury. His legacy is marked by the Peel Tower atop Holcombe Hill and a monument outside Bury Parish Church. Cultural Landmarks and Community

The name "Bury" stems from the Old English burh , meaning a fortified place or stronghold. While its roots reach back to Roman occupation, the town’s modern character was forged in the 18th and 19th centuries.