Destination Guide to the East of England
Seemingly frozen in time, enjoy the East of England where sweeping pastoral landscapes are dappled with cathedral cities, medieval villages and an abundance of stately homes.
Often overlooked by overseas visitors to Britain, the East of England is an undiscovered gem. Spreading across the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire the landscapes here are decidedly lacking in drama, characterized by low-lying pastoral countryside, sweeping fields and gentle hills further north, but hold their own more subtle appeal. The coastline is dotted with charming fishing towns and ports with shingle bays and a number of Edwardian beach resorts. However the region’s countryside is most famed for the idyllic Norfolk Broads National Park a vast region of low lying freshwater lakes, slow moving rivers, marshes and water meadows making an ideal area for boating and wildlife enthusiasts in equal measure.
Once known as the Kingdom of East Anglia and home to the invading Anglo Saxons, in places, the East of England can still today seem frozen in time scattered as it is with charming market towns and quaint medieval villages of whitewashed timberwork houses. Its proximity to London made the region historically prosperous resulting in a high concentration of stunning stately homes and castles which still remain today; not to be missed are those at Audley End House, Blickling Estate and the enchanting gardens and house at Chatsworth. Not to mention of course one of the Queen’s favoured residences at Sandringham.
There are few large cities in the East however those that exist are home to some of Britain’s finest cathedrals including those at Ely and Peterborough and Norwich. Further north, set in the gently rolling hills of Lincolnshire is the city of Lincoln itself, home to a warren of cobbled Tudor streets and squares, an impressive cathedral and interesting Norman castle. The jewel of the region however is undoubtedly the city of Cambridge, peacefully set on the banks of the river Cam with breathtakingly beautiful architecture, a long history but unstuffy, easygoing atmosphere and one of the world’s most famous universities this city is not to be missed.
Any trip to England is incomplete without a day or two spent in the East experiencing her subtle charms, stately homes and the glorious university city of Cambridge.
