East of England

Beautiful half-timbered villages, bustling market towns, rolling landscapes and impressive coastlines - England as you always thought it should be is right on London's doorstep, only a short journey north of the capital.

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

The top cities include Cambridge, with its world famous university and breath-taking architecture, and Norwich complete with its 900 year old cathedral, Norman castle, great open market, numerous medieval churches and bustling nightlife. But don't miss Colchester - Britain's oldest recorded town (near the port of Harwich in Essex), or St. Albans in Hertfordshire, with its magnificent cathedral and historic remains of the Roman city of Verulamium.

The Broads offers over 125 miles of navigable waterways through one of Britain's newest national parks. Wildlife lovers will be far from disappointed by the range of coastal and Fenland bird reserves. Whilst cyclists of all abilities will enjoy touring quiet country lanes from quaint village to medieval church to country pub.

Historic coastlines boasting international music festivals lead on to sandy beaches just made for family holidays. Sedate
Victorian seaside resorts sit alongside fishing harbours and oyster creeks. Smugglers' inns nestle close to the waters where Lord Nelson learnt to sail, or Elizabeth I rallied her ships. Inland there are landscapes which inspired the famed English painters, Constable and Gainsborough, picturesque medieval villages such as Lavenham and Georgian towns which remind of weaving industries, hanseatic trading and prosperity past.

The East of England boasts gardens galore, magnificent red brick manor houses such as Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, or Kentwell Hall in Suffolk (where Tudor life is recreated every summer) - plus a wide range of stately homes, historic houses and ancient castles. There is plenty of family fun from steam railways and rich aviation heritage to wildlife parks, and accommodation to suit every style and budget.