All posts filed under: East of England

Ely by edubarros on Pixabay
Ely by edubarros on Pixabay

Historic Ely, home of Oliver Cromwell

Ely in Cambridgeshire, takes its name from its history of trading in eels. Set in marshes, the Fens, eels were for many years the mainstay of the local economy. If you are interested in the life cycle of the eel then follow the Eel Trail. This self-guided circular tour connects 5 pieces of art which […]

St Mary in the Castle © Jim Linwood
St Mary in the Castle, Hastings © Jim Linwood

Heritage Open Days – England’s unexplored heritage sites at a town near you. Here’s your starter for ten

In early September the doors will be open on hundreds of unusual and exceptional historic and iconic properties. We start you off with some ideas of where to visit around the country.

Wroxham © bvrw
Wroxham © bvrw

Wroxham, the capital of the broads

Wroxham, the capital of the Norfolk Broads, is really two villages by the beautiful River Bure. There is much for visitors to see and do here. Miniature Worlds is the newest attraction with model railways, Scalextric, and Lego, miniature villages from around the world, and a good deal more. For a fun activity with children […]

Guildhall and Newton © Ruth Crook – Grantham Civic Society

Grantham in the heart of England, always in the thick of it.

Grantham is a market town in Lincolnshire dating from Saxon times or earlier. In the heart of England, it was the birth place of our first female Prime Minister. History of Grantham The town has always been in the thick of things! The Royal Manor belonged at one time to Queen Edith, wife of Edward […]

Southwold harbour by RonPorter on Pixabay

Visit Southwold in Suffolk to see some of the finest flint flushwork in England and sample a pint or two of Adnams

Southwold near Aldeburgh in Suffolk has always had a strong connection with seafaring and shipbuilding. As long ago as 1512 the town sent six shipwrights to help build Henri Grace a Dieu for Henry VIII. The town saw action during the C17th Anglo Dutch wars. In the third Dutch War the town was the headquarters […]

Lavenham Suffolk by MemoryCatcher on Pixabay
Lavenham Suffolk by MemoryCatcher on Pixabay

Visit Lavenham, a Suffolk wool town, to find a treasure chest of medieval timbered buildings. In its heyday it was one of the wealthiest settlements in England.

The history of Lavenham is one of gains and losses. In 1524 the village, a successful wool settlement, paid more in taxes than either Lincoln or York. Yet, 500 years later in 1824 the village was struggling with poverty. Today, it has recovered and is one of the best preserved medieval English villages. Lavenham in […]

A pretty row of old cottages in Castle Street Saffron Walden © Visit Essex
Castle Street Saffron Walden © Visit Essex

Pay a visit to Saffron Walden, in rural Essex, is a quaint medieval market town about 50 miles from London

The town has an ancient heritage, and since medieval times has been prosperous. The name Saffron comes from the valuable Crocus sativus crop, which was cultivated here between the 15th and 18th centuries and was used as a dye, flavouring and medicine. The Woolcombers Hall survives from this period. The area is a good place […]

Great Yarmouth seafront showing miles of sandy beach © Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Great Yarmouth seafront © Great Yarmouth Borough Council

Great Yarmouth a beach resort with a tradition that goes right back to the C18th

Great Yarmouth is one of the UK’s top seaside resorts with stunning beaches and a newly revived seafront. It has a fascinating maritime past with a wide range of period architecture. As the beautiful countryside around includes the famous Norfolk Broads, Great Yarmouth is hard to beat as a holiday base. Its coastal location, almost […]

Grimsby Town Hall © visit Lincolnshire
Grimsby Town Hall © Visit Lincolnshire

Great Grimsby a town built on its fishing heritage

Grimsby Town Hall © Visit Lincolnshire The Town of Grimsby, built upon a rich maritime heritage, has a reputation as the UK’s seafood centre. Grimsby Smoked Fish even has Protected Geographical Indication Status! Traditional Grimsby Smoked Fish is fillets of cold-smoked cod or haddock, smoked according to the traditional method. The tradition, reputation, smoking process […]

Visitors assembles for an accessible tour of Stratford
© Stratford Town Walk

The market town of Stratford in Warwickishire, home of the world’s most-loved playwright and poet

Stratford in Warwickshire is a market town with more than 800 years of history. Many of the buildings we see today would have been familiar to Shakespeare, the world’s most loved bard. The town is also a thriving community offering a wide variety of leisure, places to stay and shopping. Visitors to Stratford can make […]