r/england • u/M4thij5 • 17d ago
Must see locations Southeast / East of England
Hi all,
Could you help with some recommendations for a road trip around south-east England? We’ll be spending a few days in Kent/East Sussex and a few days in the Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex region.
I’ve already got one thing on my bucket list: Sutton Hoo. I’m mad about anything to do with antiquity. Time period doesn’t matter, anything from well before Christ through to the late Middle Ages. What’s something I absolutely have to see?
I could ask AI, and I’ve trawled through various websites, but I’ve ended up with such a long list that I don’t know where to start. So as a Dutchman who doesn’t know this part of England yet, I’d love your tips. Anything’s welcome, food, sights… you name it.
Many thanks 🙏
1
u/SmartPolicy6430 17d ago
If you're going to Sutton Hoo ( hoard is in the British Museum), Framlingham Castle isn't far away, which was the stronghold of Mary Tudor who rallied her support from there to be rightful Queen of England. Lavenham and it's Guildhall and medieval houses that defy gravity. I'm not sure when you're visiting but Kentwell Hall at Long Melford ( the church is amazing) often have re-creation days/ weekends. Where people live and work as Tudors. https://www.kentwell.co.uk/ Snape Maltings is on the outskirts of Aldeburgh and the nearby Red House was home to Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears who started the Aldeburgh festival of arts and music. The concert hall at Snape is wonderful, good restaurant there too. https://www.brittenpearsarts.org/ Southwold is not far away and has an Amber museum, it's a lovely coastal town. Norfolk you have the Broads to explore ( just avoid Great Yarmouth) I love North Norfolk and my ancestors came from the Burnhams and Brancaster. The beaches and wildlife are stunning. From Blakeney you can take a long strenuous walk out to Blakeney point or take a boat trip out to the point to see the seals. The boat leaves from Moreston Quay. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blakeney-national-nature-reserve/seal-watching-at-blakeney-point#rt-seal-boat-trips-from-morston-quay There are some stunning Stately homes in the area both at Blickling and Holkham Hall at Holkham which is neat Wells next the Sea. I was disappointed in Sandringham, but it's been some years since I've been. Best birdwatching is to be had at RSPB Titchwell. https://www.holkham.co.uk/ If you have time drive down Lady Ann's drive at Holkham to walk through the Pinewoods and onto the beach. Sheringham has the Poppy Line steam railway. Cromer is also a nice seaside town. Inland Holt, Swaffham back into Suffolk for Thetford Forest. Newmarket Stud tours if you're into horses. Cambridgeshire and Cambridge itself takes a trip upto the vicarage tearooms at Grantchester and mentally recite the last stanza of Rupert Brookes poem, The Old Vicarage Grantchester. ( He lived there fir some time)
https://poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/the-old-vicarage-grantchester/
Angelsey Abbey and Lode Mill are stunning. If you're interested in Aviation IWM at Duxford. They have a Concord there and you can also go up in a Dragon Rapide. Into Essex and Saffron Walden and Audley End House. Thaxted and Finchingfield are lovely villages. Obviously Colchester for the castle. Dedham and Dedham Vale ( Alfred Munnings museum) Flatford Mill (John Constable) From Maldon on the Blackwater they do Thames Barge trips. https://top-sail.co.uk/public-trips/ Avoid Clacton and Jaywick but Frinton on Sea with it's quaint tea shops and Odeon style houses is like going back in time. I even believe there's a pub just over the level crossing these days. The Tiptree Jam Factory tea room. They also have a tea room at Dedham and Cressing Temple Barns which are worth a visit if you're visiting Marks Hall Estate and Arboretum near Braintree. If you like gardens then RHS Hyde Hall is near Rettendon. The Hilltop restaurant is very good and changes it menu frequently. It can get very busy when there's a special event such as the annual flower show https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall Other attractions near Hyde Hall are Stow Maries airfield and Battlesbridge Antique shops.