15 Must-Do Activities in East Anglia

Rich in stunning coastlines, tranquil wetlands, abundant culture, and a wealth of history, East Anglia truly deserves to be more celebrated. Most areas of Essex, Suffolk, Norwich, and Cambridgeshire are just a couple of hours from London, yet the rolling wheat fields and wildflower-laden meadows provide a nostalgic escape to a more peaceful England. Here’s your guide to the top experiences.

1. Explore the Beaches

The eastern coast of England offers diverse beaches to please every visitor—expansive golden shores, tiny pebbly stretches, serene strolls, and lively spots filled with amusement arcades, thrilling funfairs, and seagulls that have become cunning scavengers of fish and chips. The most pristine sands can be found at Wells-Next-the-Sea, Brancaster, and Holkham in Norfolk, while Aldeburgh in Suffolk is perfect for long, reflective walks.

Local Tip: If you have little ones with you, Wells-Next-the-Sea features shallow waters ideal for splashing around and a convenient beach café just behind the dunes.

2. Stroll Along the Pier

No trip to the British seaside is complete without a leisurely walk along the pier. Southend in Essex boasts the world's longest pier, featuring a charming toy train that travels its 1.3-mile (2km) stretch. Meanwhile, the quaint town of Southwold in Suffolk is home to the region's quirkiest pier, showcasing a collection of imaginative and satirical slot machines crafted by Tim Hunkin, a former creator of Pink Floyd stage props.

3. Sail Through the Broads

Spanning 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) of flooded landscape, the Norfolk Broads were unintentionally formed when floodwaters filled in channels dug by peat-cutters, giving rise to a unique ecosystem amidst the swaying reedbeds. Once, eel-catchers and fishermen paddled through these wetlands in homemade coracles, but nowadays you can enjoy the waterways in cozy motorboats, stopping at charming country pubs, historic churches, and eclectic museums.

Planning Tip: When you rent a 'day boat' or an overnight cruiser, you'll receive basic instruction on navigating the Broads. You can pick up a boat in the twin villages of Hoveton and Wrexham, or in Stalham—all easily accessible from Norwich.

4. Embark on a Pilgrimage

You don’t need to be religious to walk the Walsingham pilgrim trail. This medieval route from London to Walsingham—where an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman experienced a vision of the Blessed Virgin in 1061 CE—winds through 180 miles (290 kilometers) of lush, peaceful English countryside. Those with limited time can enjoy the picturesque final stretch from Saffron Walden or Bury St Edmunds. Upon arrival, grab a bottle of holy water, explore the historic Shirehall, and wander through the ruins of Walsingham Priory, which was dismantled during Henry VIII’s suppression of monasteries.

Planning Tip: For additional walking opportunities, take the miniature railway north from Walsingham to Wells-Next-the-Sea and connect to the 84-mile (135-kilometer) Norfolk Coast Path, which meanders between deserted beaches and reed-covered marshes along the north Norfolk coast.

5. Discover the Wildlife

The coastal marshlands of Suffolk and Norfolk are home to a diverse array of species, including marsh harriers, nightingales, avocets, curlews, and bitterns. Birdwatchers from far and wide flock to the tranquil reedbeds of RSPB Minsmere and Dunwich Heath near Southwold, as well as the Cley Marshes, Holkham Beach, and RSPB Snettisham along the Norfolk coast. Visit between April and June to experience the haunting 'boom' of the bittern.

Detour: For a change of pace from birdwatching, take a boat trip from the village of Blakeney to witness large colonies of grey seals around the windswept Blakeney Point.

6. Indulge in Norwich

The capital of Norfolk is packed with museums, historic churches, and antique shops, plus it boasts some of the finest dining options outside of London. Start your sightseeing with a delightful sticky bun at Biddy’s Tea Room, enjoy gourmet fish and chips at Grosvenor Fish Bar for lunch, and then continue your culinary adventure along foodie St Benedicts St. Be sure to make reservations to savor the inventive Modern British cuisine at Benedicts or Farmyard, or enjoy creative cocktails at Hawthorn.

7. Visit a Medieval Village

Lavenham in Suffolk is often hailed as England’s most stunning village, characterized by its quirky, half-timbered homes, historic coaching inns, and an impressive flint church. Wealth from medieval wool trading funded these striking buildings, and the 16th-century Guildhall and Little Hall host intriguing museums dedicated to rural life. Other incredibly picturesque villages include Coddenham, Orford, Long Melford in Suffolk, and Saffron Walden in Essex.

8. Explore Constable Country

English landscape painter John Constable created many of his most renowned pieces in Suffolk, including The Hay Wain, which he painted at Flatford Mill in 1821. Now under the care of English Heritage, the millpond remains largely unchanged after two centuries, and the scenic walk along the willow-lined River Stour from Dedham is one of East Anglia’s most delightful routes. For a different experience, rowboats can be rented in Dedham to explore the river.

Planning Tip: Constable isn’t the only remarkable artist linked to East Anglia. Thomas Gainsborough was born in Sudbury, Suffolk, and the museum at his former residence is definitely worth a visit.

9. Discover Sutton Hoo

East Anglia’s rich history has filled local museums with fascinating artifacts, but few compare to the treasures unearthed from the Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk. Many original items now reside in the British Museum in London, but visitors can explore stunning reconstructions of Saxon helmets, weapons, and armor while wandering among the ancient burial mounds that held the belongings of Saxon king Raedwald for 1400 years.

10. Ride the Waves in Cromer

While some East Anglian seaside towns are rowdy and lively, charming Cromer focuses on leisurely seafood lunches, historic hotels, and nostalgic evenings at the classic 'end of the pier' show. Families flock to Cromer’s expansive pebble beach to swim and surf (lessons available), while children enjoy the Henry Blogg Museum, dedicated to one of the nation's most dedicated lifeboatmen.

Planning Tip: Be sure to try Cromer’s renowned dressed crab—delicately seasoned white and brown crabmeat served in an upturned crab shell before you leave.

11. Visit the Alma Mater of Isaac Newton

The brilliant mind behind the discovery of gravity is just one of many esteemed alumni from the University of Cambridge, whose medieval colleges have also produced King Charles III, Charles Darwin, David Attenborough, the Monty Python team, and Sir Stephen Hawking. Behind the college gatehouses, you can explore beautiful gardens, artistic bridges, historic libraries, dining halls that feel straight out of Harry Potter, and stunning Gothic chapels—especially the ones at King’s College and St John’s College, which are truly breathtaking.

Local Tip: Be sure to visit the college 'Backs'—the peaceful, green areas where students study and enjoy picnics along the Granta River.

12. Immerse Yourself in Culture in Cambridge

In Cambridge, even the student-run museums are filled with items of national importance. The impressive neoclassical Fitzwilliam Museum—affectionately known as 'The Fitz'—houses antique glass, Egyptian mummies, masterful paintings, Greco-Roman sculptures, and much more. Meanwhile, the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences showcases some of Darwin’s personal collection of nature specimens. For a change of pace, visit Kettle’s Yard, home to the fascinating personal art collection of former Tate Gallery curator Jim Ede.

13. Experience Punting on the Granta

Yes, it’s a classic Cambridge experience, but gliding down the Granta in a pole-propelled punt is a delightful way to spend your time. You can choose to take a guided tour, paddle yourself around the college Backs, or embark on the hour-and-a-half journey to Granchester, where the Bloomsbury Group, including Virginia Woolf, held their intellectual picnics at the Orchard Tea Garden (still serving teas and cakes today).

Planning Tip: If the thought of punting to Grantchester feels daunting, simply hop on the No 18 bus at Drummer St bus stand in Cambridge.

14. Savor Fresh Seafood

East Anglia’s connection to the sea is best appreciated through its seafood, whether indulging in hearty brown crabs in Cromer and Wells-Next-the-Sea or snatching up fish so fresh you can almost hear the fishermen call out 'Haul ‘em in, boys' from the beach shacks at Aldeburgh. Any road leading to the coast in Suffolk or Norfolk promises delicious finds—sample oysters in Orford, mussels in Brancaster, smoked fish in Cley-Next-the-Sea, or sumptuous seafood platters at the White Horse pub in Brancaster Staithe.

15. Explore a Stately Home

East Anglia’s wealth from wool production has given rise to some magnificent homes, many of which welcome the public for a glimpse into aristocratic living. The most renowned is the opulent Sandringham Estate near King’s Lynn, one of several charming residences owned by the British royal family. However, the most enchanting estate might be Holkham Hall, designed in a grand Italianate style by Thomas Coke, the first Earl of Leicester. Audley End near Saffron Walden in Essex also exudes the charm reminiscent of The Remains of the Day.

Planning Tip: Several stately homes offer accommodations on-site; at Sandringham, you can stay in a converted granary or the head gardener's cottage, while Holkham Hall features rooms at the Victoria pub and lodges throughout the estate grounds.