"Inquiring what you mean by an unspecific term like "big budget" is highly relevant..."

Indeed, I was in no way intending to be "snarky", if the comment by "Rich" (ironically) included me. I travel on a budget and may have something to contribute, if I knew. And it seems we still don't know.

When someone who is obviously unfamiliar with a place gets several snarky responses, it is no wonder they do not come back for more . .>

hey hey happens all the time - the same ole Fodorgarchs with downright rude comments - hey if you don't want to waste your valuable time answering such general questions why waste your time berating the person?

Happens all the time - firs-time Fodor's users chased away forever by such rude comments - much to the detriment of Fodor's of course itself as those first-timers are the ones likely to buy Fodor's guides, respond to their banner ads, etc - but it happens time and time again - first timers met with such downright mean remarks - there is a way of saying something without being rude but I guess being rude is what some folks want to be - whether they are paid to be so or not, ironically.

Well Marilyn stick in here - there are a lot of great Fodorites who will patienty and gladly and expertly answer your questions - guidebooks are great but can you ask a guidebook a question and guides can be outdated the day they are published.

Please stick around - there are more helpful folks here than the louts by a wide margin.

Marilyn - when you say you are going to visit London - is that from your Bury St Edmonds base or for a proper stay - it is about 2 hours each way on trains from Bury S E to London each way - consider staying in London - also a better way to get a feel for it than commuting two hours each way.

Sorry - but it seemed obvious to me that when the OP said she had a big budget that didn;t mean she had unlimited funds but that her budget was a very strict one - reason I reco'd the many free museum in London.

Agree it can be tricky if the OP uses a phrase like that.

Thanks everyone for all your helpful tips.

@PalenQ, Thank you for your help, I know I can always use a guidebook but I was trying to get input from insiders. (Maybe get information on spots to go to that aren't so touristy). Now, I know for the future my questions need to be more specific. Lol!

@bilboburgler, Thank you! Love the biking idea! I will definitely be looking into Cambridge, York & East Anglia. :)

Mrs Bilbo had digs in Bury St E years ago and the town has a tiny pub (possibly the smallest in the UK)

This site was developed really for mainland Europe but it has this Essex set of pages, should amuse http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Essex_Guide.php