East Anglia Area Guide

East Anglia is a region in the east of England that is bordered by the North Sea and includes the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Cities here include Norwich (in Norfolk), Cambridge, Ely and Peterborough (all in Cambridgeshire). Suffolk has no cities, with county town Ipswich being its largest settlement.

East Anglia is typically flat and low-lying, characterised by fertile, reclaimed agricultural areas such as The Fens, and well known for its wetlands and waterways, of which many lie within the Broads National Park. Major towns along the coast include Felixstowe (a significant port), Lowestoft (an important fishing hub) and the traditional seaside resort of Cromer.

Top attractions in East Anglia

Cambridge 

Cambridge, on the River Cam, is best known for its prestigious university, founded in the 13th century and consistently ranked among the world’s top academic institutions. Its history is deeply entwined with that of the city, with an enduring legacy that takes in some outstanding architecture and a wealth of museums and galleries. If you’d like to get a flavour of university life, it’s possible to tour most of the 31 colleges (including Kings, Trinity and Clare), as well as the beautiful botanic garden. You can visit eight museums and galleries including the Fitzwilliam Museum (Tuesday to Saturday, free to enter), set in an ornate Grade I listed building filled with treasures from Egyptian artefacts to medieval manuscripts, and Kettle’s Yard art gallery. Meanwhile, punting tours on the ‘Backs’ pass many colleges and the renowned Bridge of Sighs.

The city itself is easy to explore on foot, or by renting a bike, and its winding lanes are home to a lively market, independent shops and numerous places to stop for lunch, including many historic pubs.

Norwich

Blending contemporary culture with historic charm, Norwich is a fascinating place to explore. On a trip here you can take a (free) tour of the city’s Norman cathedral – with sublime vaulted cloisters, beautiful modern stained glass by artist John McLean and an iconic spire that towers over the city – and visit medieval Norwich Castle, built for William the Conqueror, which now houses a museum and art gallery.

The city also has a busy outdoor market, while meandering lanes and streets like cobbled Elm Hill are dotted with handsome Tudor buildings and offer some great options for shopping and dining. If you’d like to see the city from the water, you can hire a kayak or take a boat tour on the River Wensum.

Art lovers need look no further than the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts (on the University of East Anglia campus) which has an outdoor sculpture garden and a significant collection including works by Picasso, David Hockney and Henry Moore, all housed in a striking modern building designed by architect Norman Foster. 

Ely 

Ely, in Cambridgeshire, was once an island in a marsh until the Fens were drained in the 17th century. A must for historians, it’s another city with a handsome medieval cathedral, whose striking design led to its nickname, the ‘Ship of the Fens’. On a visit here you can tour the dazzling 14th-century Octagon Tower, climb to the top of the West Tower for panoramic views of the city and explore the UK’s only museum dedicated to stained glass.

Other city attractions include the former home of 17th-century Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, with an exhibition on the English Civil War, and the Ely Museum, which traces the history of life in the Fens. The River Great Ouse flows through the city, and is a great place for a boat trip or a waterside picnic. Several weekly markets offer opportunities for shoppers, while the surrounding countryside is a haven for nature lovers, home to the National Trust’s Wicken Fen Nature Reserve and the Welney Wetland Centre.

Scenic countryside and coastlines of East Anglia

If you love nature and the outdoors, East Anglia has many great places to visit, from National Landscapes like the Suffolk Coast and Heaths, North Norfolk Coastline and Dedham Vale (Suffolk), the latter known as ‘Constable Country’, as it's where the great British artist was born and from where he derived much of his inspiration. 

The jewel in the crown is the Broads National Park, which has miles of waterways and wetlands to explore and is particularly beloved of sailors and bird watchers. The many treasures to discover range from historic wind pumps and windmills like those at Thurne, Turf Fen and ruined St Benet’s Abbey to numerous nature reserves and the fascinating RAF Radar Museum at Neatishead, a quirky relic that should delight any historian. For lots more details on everything you can see and do here, including cycling, boating and cultural attractions, check out Pitchup’s guide to the Broads National Park. 

If you fancy a visit to the seaside, the East Anglian coast has plenty to offer too, from the classic British resort of Great Yarmouth and the quaint traditional town of Cromer (which has a stellar reputation among foodies for its delicious crabs) to Aldeburgh in Suffolk, the site of a renowned summer festival of classical music, founded by composer Benjamin Britten.

Cultural highlights of East Anglia

Great Yarmouth 

If you’re looking for a quintessential British holiday experience, Great Yarmouth is the place for you. With miles of golden sand, a historic amusement park, arcades, boat trips and a ‘Golden Mile’ lined with seaside attractions, this classic resort has been delighting holidaymakers for more than 200 years. 

Bury St Edmunds 

The big draw for visitors to Bury St Edmunds are the atmospheric ruins of the Benedictine Abbey of St Edmund, set in beautiful gardens at the heart of the town. St Edmund, a 9th-century king of East Anglia, was once the patron saint of England. His shrine was a major medieval pilgrimage site, and hundreds of thousands of people still visit every year.

The historic market town is also renowned among foodies, and the Greene King Brewery here has been making beer for more than 200 years. A tour of the site (Tuesday to Sunday) offers the added bonus of a trip to the rooftop, which has great views of the town. There’s also a flourishing arts scene, and the 19th-century Theatre Royal is an intimate Regency playhouse that presents a wide-ranging programme of drama, music and comedy throughout the year.

With historic cities, beautiful countryside and charming coastal areas to explore, East Anglia has plenty to offer visitors. Whether you want to go sailing on The Broads, build sandcastles, explore historic sites or venture inside a windmill, there’s something out there for you. 

If you'd like to keep costs down and make the most of the fresh air and scenery, check out Pitchup’s collection of the best campsites in East Anglia, which has more than 200 to choose from.