📍 United Kingdom

EASTERN ENGLAND: BROADS, TOWNS AND ACADEMIC HERITAGE

Punts gliding under stone bridges, cathedrals piercing cloudy skies, pebble beaches stretching away. Eastern England, academic grace and quiet beauty.

≈ 9
Days
438
Km
8
Stops
📖 5 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Discover eastern England through its peaceful towns. Navigate Cambridge's river, explore Norwich cathedral, wander along Aldeburgh's pebbles, discover Bury St Edmunds' history and visit Thetford at the heart of forest landscapes. Learning and sea converse naturally here.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Cambridge

flat college town dreams on quiet water

Cambridge - Photo 1Cambridge - Photo 2Cambridge - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Historic center of Cambridge and main colleges (Kings College, Trinity College, St Johns College)
2
View from the tower of St Mary the Great Church
3
Visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum
4
Walk in Jesus Green and Midsummer Common parks along the Cam
🎯

Activities

→
Punting boat ride on the River Cam along The Backs
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 64 km
Travel time: 1h16
2
Day

Braintree

market town stands proud on hillsides

Braintree - Photo 1Braintree - Photo 2Braintree - Photo 3Braintree - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Seaside resort of Wells-next-the-Sea and great beaches
2
Holkham Estate and neighboring coast
3
Village of Burnham Market
4
Village of Burnham Thorpe, birthplace of Nelson
+4 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Migratory bird watching on the Norfolk Royal Coast
3
Day

Bury St Edmunds

abbey ruins rest in market square

Bury St Edmunds - Photo 1Bury St Edmunds - Photo 2Bury St Edmunds - Photo 3Bury St Edmunds - Photo 4Bury St Edmunds - Photo 5Bury St Edmunds - Photo 6Bury St Edmunds - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval village of Lavenham and half-timbered houses
2
Long Melford and its historic high street
3
Village of Clare, former fortified town
4
Town of Hadleigh and old center
+6 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Strolling through the Wool Towns of Suffolk
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 48 km
Travel time: 57min
4
Day

Thetford

historic town guards flint stone heritage

Thetford - Photo 1Thetford - Photo 2Thetford - Photo 3Thetford - Photo 4Thetford - Photo 5Thetford - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Town of Newmarket, British capital of horse racing
2
Palace House and racing quarter of Newmarket
3
Sandy heathland landscapes of the Brecks
4
Thetford Forest, large pine forest
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking or cycling on the marked trails of Thetford Forest
→
Visit to The English Distillery in Roudham
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 25 km
Travel time: 30min
5
Day

Ipswich

port city pulses with trading heritage

Ipswich - Photo 1Ipswich - Photo 2Ipswich - Photo 3Ipswich - Photo 4Ipswich - Photo 5Ipswich - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Landscapes of Dedham Vale along the River Stour
2
Village of East Bergholt, birthplace of John Constable
3
Stour estuary and surrounding countryside
4
Christchurch Mansion and painting collections in Ipswich
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
River Orwell cruise departing from Ipswich
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 42 km
Travel time: 51min
6
Day

Aldeburgh

shingle beach welcomes artistic wanderers

Aldeburgh - Photo 1Aldeburgh - Photo 2Aldeburgh - Photo 3Aldeburgh - Photo 4Aldeburgh - Photo 5Aldeburgh - Photo 6Aldeburgh - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Minsmere nature reserve and bird watching
2
Seaside resort of Southwold and seafront
3
Coastal town of Aldeburgh and pebble beach
4
Original village of Thorpeness and its lake
+3 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Boat ride on Thorpeness lake
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 74 km
Travel time: 1h29
7
Day

Norwich

cathedral city preserves medieval magnificence

Norwich - Photo 1Norwich - Photo 2Norwich - Photo 3Norwich - Photo 4Norwich - Photo 5Norwich - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Norwich Cathedral
2
Norwich Castle and museum
3
Shopping district of the Lanes and large covered market
4
Walk along the River Wensum in the center
+1 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Evening in the lively center of Norwich
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 38 km
Travel time: 46min
8
Day

Great Yarmouth

seaside resort faces north sea breezes

Great Yarmouth - Photo 1Great Yarmouth - Photo 2Great Yarmouth - Photo 3Great Yarmouth - Photo 4Great Yarmouth - Photo 5Great Yarmouth - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Village of Wroxham in the heart of the Norfolk Broads
2
Landscapes and villages of the Broads National Park
3
Seaside resort of Great Yarmouth
4
Coastal town of Cromer and seafront
🎯

Activities

→
Cruise or rental boat on the Norfolk Broads
→
Free time on the beaches and promenades of Great Yarmouth
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 147 km
Travel time: 2h57

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

ENGLAND'S MUST-SEES: LONDON, BATH, COTSWOLDS, LAKE DISTRICT AND YORKSHIRE

📅 16 days 🛣️ 860.2 Km

GRAND TOUR OF ENGLAND: FROM CORNWALL TO THE NORTHERN LAKES

📅 24 days 🛣️ 1964.8 Km

ENGLISH GASTRONOMY: MARKETS, PUBS AND CULINARY TRADITIONS

📅 12 days 🛣️ 1587.2 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - United Kingdom

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest daylight, peak tourist season, highest prices, festival season, ideal for all regions.

Spring (April-May): Mild weather, blooming gardens, fewer crowds, moderate prices, excellent for countryside, comfortable temperatures.

Fall (September-October): Pleasant weather, autumn colors, fewer crowds, good value, comfortable for sightseeing, cozy pub atmosphere.

Winter (November-March): Cold temperatures, shortest days, Christmas markets, lowest prices, indoor attractions, cozy cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 7 and 11 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in United Kingdom?

Rich history with royal heritage, diverse cultures, and iconic landmarks from London to Edinburgh. Experience pub culture, literary heritage, and beautiful countryside. The country offers excellent transportation with cultural depth and historical significance. United Kingdom provides cultural richness with historical importance and modern amenities in compact island nation.