Visiting East Anglia has become a popular destination for many reasons: access to coastal
holidays, outdoor adventures and destinations rich with art and history. Whether you’re looking
to escape the capital as a family, a couple or by yourself, you can rest assured that East Anglia
has something for you!
If you’re looking for a UK-based getaway this year, Greater Anglia has put together 11 compelling
reasons why you should take a trip to East Anglia instead of heading abroad this summer.
- Norfolk Coast
Do you dream of a relaxing beach holiday without the hassle of flying abroad? Norfolk has some
of the best beaches in the country for you to choose from. If you want a sandy beach to lounge
on, we recommend checking out Cromer. You can be there by train in 3hr 15mins from London
Stansted, making it the perfect summer getaway for a long weekend. Bathe in the sun, surf, or
enjoy an authentic British fish and chips on Cromer pier!
- Suffolk Coast
If you don’t fancy heading as far North, why not try Felixstowe? Be there in just over 2hrs from
London Stansted for an amazing day trip or week-long experience with the kids. Felixstowe is a
beach much loved by families, as it stretches four miles around the coast, with a mix of both
shingle and sandy beaches suiting everyone. There are also plenty of arcades and an
amusement park featuring crazy golf and fair games to delight your little ones.
With only a 30 minute longer train journey, you can explore the beautiful beach at Lowestoft,
where you are even able to hire out your very own stylish beach hut to get the full seaside
experience.
- Water Activities
East Anglia is the perfect place to go for water activities. If paddle-boarding is your thing, you
could either hire a paddleboard on Felixstowe beach or head to Lowestoft where you can paddle
on the broads. With a travel time of just 2hr 35m by train, you could even hire a boat too and
take a trip around the broads breathing in the fresh country air.
- Art and Culture
Norwich is a city enriched by art. Travelling from London Stansted will get you there in less than
2hrs. Upon arrival, we would suggest stopping by the Sainsbury’s Centre for Visual Arts on the
University of East Anglia campus to see renowned pieces of work from famous artists, such as
Hans Coper, to awe-inspiring pieces of work, such as Degas’ ‘Little Dancer’.
This ‘Fine City’ is also home to the world’s largest teapot collection. This impressive collection
can be viewed at the Norwich Castle Museum, perfect for any art enthusiast.
- Explore Historical Towns and Cities
If you are someone that likes to take a step back in time and immerse yourself in the history of
your surroundings, we have some great picks for you.
Lowestoft is a town steeped in maritime history. We suggest taking a trip to the Lowestoft
Maritime Museum where you can learn about the town’s history through various artefacts from
World War II to maritime art.
Norwich is also an exceptional historical city, with the old castle wall running throughout the city
centre. The Norwich Castle Museum will keep you busy for the whole afternoon, travelling
through time from Ancient Rome to World War I. You can even take a tour on the roof of the
building for a stunning view of the whole of the city.
- Connect with Wildlife
In Felixstowe, we recommend taking a trip to the Landguard Bird Observatory located by the
Local Nature Reserve. Home to various types of birds, enjoy a leisurely walk around the grounds
and see if you can discover some rare feathery friends. The nature reserve offers the perfect
setting for families to enjoy a day out with children of all ages.
- Relaxing Retreats
Get away from the hustle and bustle of London, and retreat to a cosy, picturesque Norfolk
cottage. Cromer is a great place for couples looking for a summer to remember, with long
coastal walks at sunset, ice creams on the pier or even a stay in Cromer’s Lighthouse cottage,
which has become a holiday let since the lighthouse became automated.
- Cycling Treks
Getting some fresh air is the best way to escape the inner-city madness and reconnect with
nature. Why not take the bikes on a train to Cromer and cycle along the Norfolk coast. With
gorgeous sea views for the whole ride, what more could you want?
- Food and Drink
If you like to centre your holidays around good food, you must visit Mersea Island for their ‘world
famous’ oysters! There are two types of oysters that grow there, the Colchester Rock Oyster and
the Colchester Native Oyster. You can try these oysters at The Company Shed or West Mersea
Oyster Bar.
Or if you enjoy great wine, we highly recommend visiting Mersea vineyard for a wine tasting on
Mersea Island, Essex. The vineyard was first established in 1985 and is home to five grape
varieties. They even have a Bed & Breakfast if you fancy staying over for a long weekend.
- Visit Gardens
Gardens are also a lovely, serene way to experience nature, so why not visit the Botanic Gardens
in Cambridge for a calming day out. With only a short walk from Cambridge train station, you
don’t have to go far to immerse yourself in nature, almost making you forget that you are in the
middle of a city.
Bury St. Edmunds’ Abbey Gardens is also an ideal place to take a romantic stroll or picnic.
Surrounded by tapered flower beds and remains of the old Abbey, we very much advise hopping
on the train from London Stansted, which will get you there in under 2hrs!
- City Escapes
The UK is made up of many wonderful cities, and Cambridge is one of them. With only a train
journey time of 1h 22m, you can enjoy a tour around the famous universities, admiring the
delightful architecture or take a romantic punt on the River Cam for a unique tour of the city. If
you’re looking for a short break, you won’t be disappointed.