Escape to the East of England

If your looking for a last minute mini-break during these turbulent credit crunched days, then East Anglia is definitely a destination to consider.

It is statistically one of the driest regions in England and, given its central location, its accessibility means visitors certainly won’t spend half the weekend on a train or on the road.

What's more, guests won't have to plan for months in advance.

The area remains largely undiscovered (although possibly not for much longer!), and despite this, or perhaps because of it, the East of England is bound to exceed your expectations.

If East Anglia immediately evokes 'flat and boring', prepare to be proved wrong.

For sporty types, there is a variety of water sports on offer, as well as plenty of opportunities for walks and cycle rides. If history or art is more of an interest, there is certainly no lack of it, with a plethora of museums and historic buildings to visit.

Farming and horticulture have long been an important part of rural life in East Anglia and this, as well as the bountiful coastline, is reflected in the vast selection of local produce on offer.

What's to see?

A picturesque place to visit in Suffolk is the town of Orford, where the castle provides some amazing views.

Nearby, Richardson’s Smokehouse offers some traditional charm. The Smokehouse is a family-run business and there is a tempting range of meats, fish and cheeses on offer. Drop by to see the colourful proprietor, who’ll be happy to show guests around and have a chat!

If the Smokehouse’s produce whets your appetite then make a trip over to Aldeburgh, situated about ten miles away along the Suffolk coast.

There, holidaymakers will find the Brudenell Hotel, which is an ideal place to sample some of the culinary delights of the Suffolk coast. The waiting staff are also happy to provide information about the dishes on offer and much of the food is locally sourced.
The seafood is particularly delicious and there are spectacular coastal views while guests enjoy their meal.

The restaurant certainly makes it easy to over-indulge; however, you can reinvigorate yourself with a bracing walk along the beach, where you’ll find plenty of examples of Suffolk’s famous pink houses.

Heading northwards up the coast, visitors can find the seaside town of Southwold. Here, travellers can visit Southwold pier, which might be described as the pier for people who don’t like piers.





Imagine (and imagination is what the minds behind this clearly have in abundance) a typical pier, but replace tacky with quirky, blustery with cosy and dedicated gamblers with families. The arcade has to be seen to be believed, and there are some amazing contraptions designed for the whole family. Other features include a mind-boggling water-clock and a telescope, through which the inquisitive definitely don’t see the horizon.

The cafe is an ideal place to warm your cockles with a hot drink and a cake. Just outside Southwold, visitors can find Adnams Brewery. Adnams produces a range of beers and arguably, if Southwold pier is the pier for those who don’t like piers, Adnams bitter is the bitter for people who don’t like bitter.

Lighter and more refreshing than most other bitters, if is definitely worth sampling. Furthermore, the greener-minded of us might be interested to know Adnams produce East Green, a carbon neutral beer.

For those looking to shop, seek out Wroxham Barns, in Norfolk. It is an ideal place to find gifts, including clothes, handicrafts and food and drink which are all typical of the area.

Situated in converted agricultural buildings, there is a farm and a funfair, making it suitable for a family day out. Wroxham Barns is a fantastic example of entrepreneurship and innovation – with new ideas and brands are continually being introduced.

For instance, for those interested in ethical consumerism, a new clothing brand, Sea Salt, will soon be available at Wroxham Barns. Check out Sea Salt’s ethical and environmental credentials at Sea Salt.

Norfolk is home to several renowned country estates, alluding to its rich heritage. Blickling Hall is a stunning Jacobean House, situated in a lovely estate. The Long Gallery, which houses the library, is particularly memorable. The staff are also extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

Along the north-facing coast of East Anglia, stands the majestic Holkham Hall and Estate. The estate belongs to the Coke family, who have been successive Earls of Leicester and the land is used for agricultural, as well as conservation purposes. The site boasts a 1,600 acre deer park and many different species of birds.

The attractive Victoria Hotel encompasses a restaurant which offers a delicious selection of food, some of which is sourced from the estate. Adjoining the estate, guests will find Holkham Beach, where Gywneth Paltrow filmed the final scene from 'Shakespeare in Love'. A long walk on the beach is also a good way to relax - or just sit and soak up the scenery.

Where to stay

If you fancy a trip to East Anglia, it is certainly worth considering an overnight stay at Fritton House, set in the Somerleyton Estate on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. Situated in heart of the countryside, the rooms are beautifully adorned, with plenty of colour and character.

Guests looking to stay somewhere that feels more like someone’s home, where the host knows just what little touches will make a difference, this is the place for you.

Alternatively, in North Norfolk, visitors will find the Sea Marge Hotel, in the coastal village of Overstrand. The rooms are spacious and there is plenty of space to lounge. After a walk along the coast, the cosy bar area, with a roaring fire, seems very inviting!

So to escape on a weekend excursion to somewhere picturesque, with plenty of places to explore and local produce to sample, the East of England is an ideal destination.

More information

For more information and options about places to stay, activities to do and food to eat, go to East of England.

Elizabeth Shaw