Regional Royal driving itineraries for East England
Day 1
Begin at Tilbury Fort in Essex. Here, Elizabeth made her famous Armada speech to rally her troops. Rebuilt and refortified many times over subsequent years, Tilbury has played a key part in England’s defences. Imagine the future Queen Elizabeth I as a child at Hatfield House’s old Royal Palace, and then explore the Jacobean glories of the ‘new’ House.
Overnight: Cambridge
Day 2
The university city of Cambridge has a wealth of attractions. Punt on the river (as Elizabeth does in the film); visit St John’s college or beautiful King’s College Chapel. Discover the Fitzwilliam Museum, described as ‘the finest small museum in Europe’. From here, its not far to Ely where the magnificent cathedral, nicknamed ‘the ship of the Fens’, doubles as Whitehall Palace in the film.
Overnight: Cambridge
Day 3
The stately home Audley End, situated at Saffron Walden in Suffolk, was built by Sir Thomas Howard, an Elizabethan naval hero. His wealth and status created the glorious stately home we see today, and later additions and renovations have made it even more spectacular. Finally Melford Hall in Sudbury - this fanciful Elizabethan extravaganza hosted the Virgin Queen herself (and the 2,000 members of her Court).