Top Reasons to Go

Top Reasons to Go

Cambridge: A walk though the colleges is grand, but the best views of the university's colleges and immaculate lawns (and some famous bridges) are from a punt on the river. Try not to let your pole get stuck in the mud.

Constable country: In the area where Constable grew up, you can walk or row downstream from the pastel-shaded village of Dedham straight into the setting of one of the English landscape painter's masterpieces at Flatford Mill.

Grand houses: When the Queen's not in residence you can visit the Royal Family's holiday home of Sandringham. If that's out of bounds, other options, including Audley End, Holkham Hall, and Burghley House, are just as spectacular.

Lincoln's old center: The ancient center of the city has a vast, soaring cathedral, a proper rampart-ringed castle, and winding medieval streets lined with small shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Wild North Sea coast: Trendy North Norfolk has enormous sandy beaches (great for walking) and opportunities to see seals and birdlife, especially on the salt marshes around Blakeney.

Lavenham: This medieval town is the most comely of the tight-knit cluster of places that did well from the wool trade: nearby are Sudbury and Long Melford. All have perhaps the region's most memorable architecture, including timber-framed houses gnarled into crookedness by age.