📍 United Kingdom

EAST ANGLIA RETREAT: GARDENS, VILLAGES AND PEACEFUL COAST

Secret gardens overflowing with flowers, rivers winding through green valleys. East Anglia, the English countryside dream.

≈ 15
Days
314
Km
5
Stops
📖 8 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Explore England's most peaceful east between gardens and sleepy villages. Navigate through Cambridge, discover Dedham Vale, wander through Southwold, visit Burnham Market and relax on Sandringham beaches.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Cambridge

colleges river willow dreams

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

Discover

1
Discovery of Cambridge's historic center and the university's main colleges
2
Walk on The Backs along the River Cam
🎯

Activities

→
Punt boat ride on the River Cam
2
Day

Cambridge

colleges river willow dreams

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

Discover

1
Visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum
2
Exploration of the Grantchester area
3
Visit to the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens
🎯

Activities

→
Strolling through the streets of Cambridge
3
Day

Cambridge

colleges river willow dreams

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

Discover

1
Houghton Mill and village of Houghton
2
Walk along the historic waterfront of St Ives
3
Discovering the village of Abbots Ripton
4
Village of Barrington and its traditional cottages
+2 Places visited
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking in the countryside around Houghton and St Ives
4
Day

Cambridge

colleges river willow dreams

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

Discover

1
Visit to the town of Ely
2
Discovering Ely Cathedral
3
Visit to Oliver Cromwell's house
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll through the streets of Ely and along the Fens
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 84.7 km
Travel time: 1h25
5
Day

Dedham Vale

constable landscape artist valley

Dedham Vale - Photo 1Dedham Vale - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Cambridge - Bury St Edmunds route
2
Discovery of Bury St Edmunds and its historic center
3
Bury St Edmunds Cathedral and surroundings
4
Walk at Ickworth House and in the park
+1 Places visited
6
Day

Dedham Vale

constable landscape artist valley

Dedham Vale - Photo 1Dedham Vale - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Walk in Dedham in the Dedham Vale
2
Flatford and Constable Country landscapes
3
Village of East Bergholt
🎯

Activities

→
Hike in the Dedham Vale between Flatford, East Bergholt and Dedham
7
Day

Dedham Vale

constable landscape artist valley

Dedham Vale - Photo 1Dedham Vale - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of the medieval village of Lavenham
2
Visit to Long Melford and its historic high street
3
Visit to Melford Hall
4
Long Melford Church and Kentwell Hall estate
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 80.1 km
Travel time: 1h20
8
Day

Southwold

pier harbor clifftop charm

Southwold - Photo 1Southwold - Photo 2Southwold - Photo 3Southwold - Photo 4Southwold - Photo 5Southwold - Photo 6Southwold - Photo 7Southwold - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Route from Dedham Vale to Woodbridge
2
Discovery of Woodbridge
3
Visit to the Anglo-Saxon site of Sutton Hoo
4
Stop at Framlingham
+2 Places visited
9
Day

Southwold

pier harbor clifftop charm

Southwold - Photo 1Southwold - Photo 2Southwold - Photo 3Southwold - Photo 4Southwold - Photo 5Southwold - Photo 6Southwold - Photo 7Southwold - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Southwold: pier, beach huts, lighthouse and picturesque streets
2
Village of Walberswick and its beaches
🎯

Activities

→
Crossing by small pedestrian ferry between Southwold and Walberswick
10
Day

Southwold

pier harbor clifftop charm

Southwold - Photo 1Southwold - Photo 2Southwold - Photo 3Southwold - Photo 4Southwold - Photo 5Southwold - Photo 6Southwold - Photo 7Southwold - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Coastal village of Orford and its castle
2
Walk between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness
3
Discovery of the town of Aldeburgh
4
Village of Thorpeness and 'House in the Clouds' with windmill
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 122.3 km
Travel time: 2h02
11
Day

Burnham Market

georgian square market town

Burnham Market - Photo 1Burnham Market - Photo 2Burnham Market - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Journey from Southwold to Norwich
2
Historic district of Elm Hill in Norwich
3
Visit to Norwich castle
4
Discovery of Norwich cathedral and the Cathedral Close
+1 Places visited
12
Day

Burnham Market

georgian square market town

Burnham Market - Photo 1Burnham Market - Photo 2Burnham Market - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Holkham white sand beach
2
Visit to Holkham Hall and its estate
3
Village and port of Wells-next-the-Sea
4
Steam train journey from Wells to Walsingham
+1 Places visited
13
Day

Burnham Market

georgian square market town

Burnham Market - Photo 1Burnham Market - Photo 2Burnham Market - Photo 3
3 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Blakeney village and its quay
2
Boat excursion to Blakeney Point to observe seals
🎯

Activities

→
Walk along the North Norfolk coast from Burnham Market
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 26.6 km
Travel time: 53min
14
Day

Sandringham

royal estate private beaches

Sandringham - Photo 1Sandringham - Photo 2Sandringham - Photo 3Sandringham - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the royal estate of Sandringham and its gardens
2
Possible visit to Oxburgh Hall
🎯

Activities

→
End of itinerary and departure from East Anglia

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

EAST ANGLIA: WILD NORFOLK, MEDIEVAL SUFFOLK AND CAMBRIDGE

📅 11 days 🛣️ 598.3 Km

SOUTHEAST AND KENT: WHITE CLIFFS, CASTLES AND ENGLISH GARDENS

📅 11 days 🛣️ 334.5 Km

COTSWOLDS AND OXFORD: GOLDEN STONE VILLAGES AND LEGENDARY UNIVERSITY

📅 11 days 🛣️ 381.1 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 12 and 18 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.