_Things not to miss in East Anglia

There’s no way to see Suffolk and Norfolk in one visit, so we suggest you plan your time here – and decide to come back another time soon.

East Anglia has splendid beaches, beautiful stately homes and estates, some of the best wildlife watching in the British Isles and great local food and drink to enjoy in characterful pubs and fine restaurants.

Norman Norwich

Norwich is the best-preserved medieval city in the UK. At its heart are wonderful cobbled historic streets, a magnificent cathedral and castle whose keep has recently undergone a £28m refurbishment to reimagine it as it was on a royal visit in the 12th century. With the Year of the Normans coming in 2027, it’s a must-see when you come to East Anglia.

Boating on the Broads

The Broads National Park are 125 miles of navigable, lock-free waterways that can only be seen properly on the water. Hire a boat (many are electric now) for a day or a holiday, try canoeing or stand up paddleboarding – however you do it, it’s the best way to enjoy the huge skies, amazing wildlife, quiet reedbeds and countryside.

Sutton Hoo

Site of the most important Anglo-Saxon treasure find and one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. The burial site of King Raedwald, interred in his sea ship, Sutton Hoo is a landscape of mounds with engaging museum and walks that take in panoramas of the River Deben and lovely market town Woodbridge.

Bury St Edmunds

Named for King Edmund, the first patron saint of England who was martyred by the Vikings, Bury St Edmunds is an absolute gem of an historic market town, with Georgian centre, the last complete Regency theatre in the UK, magnificent cathedral and delightful Abbey Gardens. The town is also proud to hold the accolade of ‘Most dog-friendly town in England’ as well as being the foodie capital of Suffolk.

Flatford Mill

Deep in Constable Country, this bucolic riverside scene by the Stour with pretty Willy Lott’s House features in some of John Constable’s best-loved works, including The Hay Wain. Managed by the National Trust, the vista has hardly changed since the locally-born Constable painted it more than 200 years ago.

From July-October 2026 there is a major Constable 250 exhibition at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich including loans from Tate, V&A, Royal Academy, National Galleries of Scotland with many being seen in Suffolk for the first time.

Sandringham

At the core of Royal Norfolk is King Charles III’s rural dacha, where the monarch and his family spend Christmas and New Year. The house and estate have been open to the public since Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Jubilee in 1977 and they’re a fascinating glimpse into how the Royal Family enjoy their leisure time.

Thetford Forest in the Brecks

The largest lowland pine forest in the British Isles, Thetford Forest sits in a natural bowl that means cold nights but warm and dry days, perfect for getting out into nature. There are miles of cycling and walking paths, plus aerial adventures, archery and barbecues. Look out for deer and wild horses and, in the Brecks, discover Pingos and Deal Rows.

Blakeney Spit and seal watching

The four-mile long Blakeney Spit is a National Nature Reserve with amazing birdlife, but its highlight is the winter pupping season of the Grey seals when this becomes home of the largest seal colony in the British Isles – numbering at least 10,000. The best way to get up close is to take a boat trip from Morston Quay. Adjoining Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes is a Premier League birdwatching spot.

Ipswich Waterfront

Many waterside towns have seen their docklands gentrified, but few have been as well done as this. With a marina full of bobbing yachts, campus for the University of Suffolk and boat tours out into the River Orwell, the highlight is a row of smart pubs and restaurants, not least the 4-star Salthouse Harbour Hotel.

Orford Ness

At the tip of the UK’s longest sand and shingle spit, Orford Ness has an eerie, wild and post-apocalyptic atmosphere – you literally feel at the end of the world. Formerly used for military testing and now run as nature reserve by the National Trust, you can visit by boat from Orford, itself worth a trip for its artisan food shops, 12th century castle and to learn about the ‘Wild Man of Orford’.

Holkham

One of the most sustainably-run country estates in the British Isles, a trip to Holkham encompasses so many different facets: Palladian house with tours, agricultural museum, walled gardens, cycle hire, lovely pub and hotel, The Victoria, and then National Nature Reserve with extensive pine woodlands and a beach that is regularly voted one of the best in the UK.

Suffolk Coast Path

Running from Lowestoft to Felixstowe, the Suffolk Coast Path is unique for its estuaries at the Rivers Blyth, Alde sand Deben and takes you through the Suffolk Coast and Heath National Landscape that includes the ‘lost city’ of Dunwich and RSPB Minsmere, one of the most celebrated nature reserves in the British Isles.

The estuaries can be walked around, taking in Blythburgh’s ‘Cathedral of the Marshes’, Snape Maltings and waterside Woodbridge, or take a seasonal ferry.

Aldeburgh Festival

Began as a modest festival by composer Benjamin Britten and his partner Peter Pears, The Aldeburgh Festival has been a pilgrimage for lovers of classical music since 1948. Each June it brings together world premieres, international stars and new commissions, focused on the wonderful Snape Maltings concert venue.

Race day at Newmarket

The world headquarters of flat horseracing, Newmarket and its equine sport was made famous by King Charles II, who built a palace here. Nothing beats a day at the races, but if your visit doesn’t correspond with one, then don’t miss a trip to the National Horseracing Museum or the early morning exercising of the horses on The Gallops - tours are available.

The Snettisham Wader Spectacular

These magnificent displays happen at RSPB Snettisham on The Wash during extremely high ‘spring tides’, mainly in autumn and winter. As the tide rushes in, tens of thousands of Knot, Oystercatchers, Dunlins and Black-tailed Godwits that are feeding on mudflats in the largest natural bay in England, take to the air to avoid the water in an exhilarating display of airborne acrobatics.

If you miss this, then equally exhilarating is the winter dawn spectacle of tens of thousands of migratory geese taking off from the mudflats in their distinctive skeins to feed inland.

King’s Lynn

An historic maritime port which has more Graded buildings than York, King’s Lynn has played a pivotal role in North Sea trade for many centuries through the Hanseatic League. Stroll the old town and ancient waterfront on the River Great Ouse and enjoy buildings including the Custom House, described by Pevsner as ‘one of the most perfect buildings every made’, Hanse House, Marriott’s Warehouse, imposing Minster, the flint-and-stone Trinity Guildhall and St George’s Guildhall, thought to contain the only remaining original stage that Shakespeare appeared on.

The Food Museum

The UK's only museum focused solely on food and how it is grown, made and eaten, this sprawling 84-acre site in the middle of Stowmarket has 17 historic buildings that engage visitors through exhibitions, talks, tours, activities, events and programmes. It may be in the middle of the town, but you’d never believe it – you’ll genuinely think you’re out in a bucolic idyll, particularly with the riverside walk.

Lavenham

Referred to as the best-preserved medieval town in the UK, Lavenham is the perfect example of a medieval Wool Town, when East Anglia was the richest region in the country due to its weaving and wool trades. The picture postcard market town has lovely half-timbered Tudor buildings including The Guildhall, The Crooked House, De Vere House which featured in a Harry Potter film, and The Swan Inn and Hotel.

Framlingham

Known as ‘Fram’ to locals, this delightful market town is focused on the triangular market square and has myriad independent shops, pubs and eateries. If you’re an Ed Sheeran fan, you’ll know it for his hit song ‘Castle on the Hill’ – Sheeran grew up in Framlingham.

There are two magnificent buildings here, the 13th century St Michael’s Church which pays spectacular homage to the Howard family and Framlingham Castle whose crenelations stand sentinel over the town. The curtain wall with its thirteen towers is intact and there’s excitement to be had from walking the battlements and exploring the moat and mere.