East of England

Beautiful timber-framed villages, traditional market towns, gently rolling countryside and unspoilt coastline - this is England as you always thought it should be - right on London's doorstep.

Based around the ancient kingdom of East Anglia, the East of England covers the six counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk - a region where tradition is a way of life, eccentric customs are commonplace and people take the time to offer the warmest of welcomes.

Visit the famous University city of Cambridge, with its ancient colleges, magnificent King’s College Chapel and punting on the river. The medieval city of Norwich is dominated by a superb cathedral and 12th C. castle - plus a vibrant mix of arts, shopping and restaurants. Also don't miss, Colchester - Britain's oldest recorded town, or St. Albans, with its cathedral and the rich treasures of Verulamium, the third city of Roman Britain. Look out for year-round cultural treats, from spectacular festivals to carnivals, theatres and fine galleries.

The Broads are Britain’s largest nationally protected wetland, whilst stretching out from The Wash - The Fens are noted for their dramatic skies and sweeping vistas. To the west of the region, the rolling Dunstable Downs offer chalk life flora and fauna. All offer fantastic wildlife-spotting - and alongside other key nature reserves - the region is one of the UK’s best places for bird-watching.

Cycling is a great way to get around - exploring our quiet rural lanes, country pubs and a superb collection of churches. Look out too for scrumptious culinary delights. This is the ‘Food Basket of Britain’ - delicious hams, fine ales and wine, prize-winning jams, seafood treats and fresh fruit and vegetables. Meet our award-winning producers at food halls and farmers’ markets.

The coastline comprises unspoilt sandy beaches, tiny fishing villages, crumbling cliffs, estuaries, shingle spits and Britain's best mudflats and saltmarshes. Here smugglers inns nestle close to the waters where Lord Nelson learnt to sail. Enjoy the
fun-packed family resorts of Great Yarmouth and Southend, alongside idyllic coastal towns such as Southwold and Cromer.

Inland, explore the inspirational landscapes of our artists, authors and films - such as Constable Country, where Britain's greatest landscape painter was born and worked. Whilst picturesque medieval villages (Lavenham) and fine Georgian towns are the legacy of a prosperity past, from weaving to Hanseatic trading. Newmarket is internationally renowned for being the historic home of horseracing.

Discover the spectacular colours and delicate fragrances of some of Britain's finest gardens, and magnificent treasure houses such as Woburn Abbey, Hatfield House, Blickling Hall and Royal Sandringham - alongside ancient castles, steam trains, intriguing museums and a rich aviation and maritime heritage.