Cambridgeshire · City
Cambridge
College courts, riverside walks, museums and one of England's most distinctive historic city centres.
Explore Cambridge →Big skies, waterways and historic places with room to breathe
Explore cathedral cities, quiet coastlines, broad waterways, market towns and open countryside. From Cambridge and Norwich to the Norfolk Broads, Suffolk Coast and Constable Country, the east rewards slower journeys.
Take the long view
Water, open landscapes and historic towns shape the East
It is a region for riverside walks, coast roads, cathedral towers and journeys where the landscape feels as important as the destination.
Explore the East
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore cities, coast, waterways, market towns and countryside across the East of England. Pick a place that suits the trip you want, then discover what else lies nearby.
Featured places
Where to go in the East of England
Start with a city, coastline or landscape, then use the local guide to connect it with the towns, villages and places nearby.
Norfolk · City
Norwich
A cathedral city with medieval streets, independent shops and easy access to the Norfolk countryside and coast.
Explore Norwich →
Norfolk · Landscape
Norfolk Broads
Rivers, lakes, reedbeds and quiet villages best explored slowly by boat, foot or bike.
Explore the Norfolk Broads →
Suffolk · Coast
Aldeburgh & Suffolk Coast
Shingle beaches, fishing boats, estuary landscapes and some of the East's quietest coastal towns.
Explore the Suffolk Coast →
Cambridgeshire · Heritage
Ely
A compact cathedral city rising above the Fens, with riverside walks and wide views across the surrounding landscape.
Explore Ely →
Suffolk · Town
Bury St Edmunds
Abbey ruins, gardens, historic streets and a strong base for exploring inland Suffolk.
Explore Bury St Edmunds →
Suffolk / Essex · Landscape
Constable Country
River valleys, villages and quiet lanes in the Stour landscape made famous by John Constable.
Explore Constable Country →
Essex · Heritage
Colchester
Roman history, castle heritage and a walkable centre with countryside and estuary landscapes nearby.
Explore Colchester →
Norfolk · Coast
North Norfolk Coast
Wide beaches, salt marshes, harbour villages and some of England's best bird-rich coastal landscapes.
Explore North Norfolk →
Choose your kind of day
What is the East of England best for?
Rivers, reedbeds & open waterBroads & Waterways
Beaches, marshes & estuariesCoast & Big Skies
Cathedrals, colleges & old streetsHistory & Heritage
Quiet lanes & river valleysCountryside & Villages
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
The East rewards slower days built around one main place and a nearby landscape or smaller town.
Cambridge, Ely & the Fens
Combine college architecture with cathedral heritage and wide-open Fenland landscapes.
- Cambridge for colleges and riverside walks
- Ely for the cathedral and river
- The Fens for open skies and quieter roads
Norwich & the Broads
A city-and-countryside pairing that works especially well for a weekend.
- Norwich for history and independent streets
- Wroxham or Horning for waterside atmosphere
- Broads walks or boat trips for a slower afternoon
Aldeburgh, Southwold & the Suffolk Coast
Small coastal towns, beaches and estuary landscapes with short journeys between them.
- Aldeburgh for beach and town character
- Southwold for pier and seafront
- Walberswick or nearby coast for a quieter stop
Leave space in the day for the landscape
The East of England is often at its best between the headline stops: on riverside walks, quiet coast roads, broad Fenland views and country lanes. Build the day around one area rather than trying to cover too much ground.
For a dayChoose one city or coastal area and add one nearby stop.
For a weekendPair a historic city with coast, waterways or countryside.
Without a carCambridge, Norwich, Ely and several coastal towns work well by rail.
In summerAllow extra time around popular coastal towns and Broads villages.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Once you have chosen a destination, the local guide will help you turn it into a complete trip.
Keep exploring
There is more beyond the eastern counties
London, the East Midlands and South East England all make natural additions to a longer journey.