East of England

Britain, places to visit, attractions, heritage
Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.

This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in the North of England, including Yorkshire.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Places to visit in England’s East Midlands are currently being moved to ABAB’s Places.

Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse. 

FLATFORD

Flatford Mill and the area around it inspired the artist John Constable.  The National Trust has a small exhibition nearby and there are waymarked walks which take in the places Constable knew, and painted.  Guided tours are also available.  Or you can hire a boat on the river Stour.

There is no public access to Flatford Mill or Willy Lott's House (pictured).

Region/Nation
Location/Address
East Bergholt
County
Suffolk
Post Code
CO7 6UL
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Colchester
Primary Management
National Trust
FRAMLINGHAM CASTLE

Framlingham is a late 12th century castle once owned by the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk. By the mid 16th century, it was in the hands of Mary Tudor, elder daughter of Henry VIII, and it was here that she gathered support and heard that she had been proclaimed queen in 1553. In the 17th century it became the local poorhouse. The imposing walls of the castle are still pretty much standing, though the other medieval buildings have gone. Unusually, it is possible to walk right round the walls at Framlingham, giving marvellous views. There is also a small exhibition on site and an interesting local museum, the Lanman Trust's Museum.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Church Street
Framlingham
County
Suffolk
Post Code
IP13 9BP
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Tip/Nearby
St Michael's church next door
Primary Management
English Heritage
Great St Mary's, Cambridge

Great St Mary's (aka 'GSM') is a parish church and the University Church, the first home of the University in 1209. The present building dates from the 15th century. The Protestant reformer, Martin Bucer (1491-1551), preached here, was burnt nearby, and his ashes are interred in the church. Queen Elizabeth I visited the church and Stephen Hawking had his funeral service here. It is famous for its bells, which date from 1515, and its clock, installed in 1793. For a fee, visitors can climb the tower for fabulous views over the city. The picture is the view to the north, showing Gonville and Caius College in the foreground.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
The University Church
Senate House Hill
Cambridge
County
Cambridgeshire
Post Code
CB2 3BQ
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Cambridge Colleges, including King's
Primary Management
Educational establisment
HAPPISBURGH

Happisburgh (pronounced Haze-bruh) is an ancient and attractive village, mentioned in the Domesday survey of 1086, on the north Norfolk coast. It has a medieval church and working lighthouse, built in 1790, but is perhaps best-known as the site of the oldest evidence of human presence in the UK, dating back over 800,000 years. There is nothing to see, but flint tools were unearthed in 2010 and human footprints were discovered on the beach in 2013, dating back to the time when this area was part of a river estuary.

There is a convenient pay and display carpark, with access to the beach. Spot the pillbox on the clifftop, near the lighthouse.

Region/Nation
County
Norfolk
Post Code
NR12 0PR
Main Historic Period
N/A
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Cromer. Some of the coastal villages in this area are pretty grim, but Happisburgh is lovely.
Primary Management
Local Authority
HINDRINGHAM HALL

Hindringham Hall is a small 16th century brick and flint moated manor house, like something from the pages of a story book, with medieval moat and fishponds, known for its delightful gardens.  The current house was built by a Martin Hastings, a courtier in the service of Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Richmond and Somerset, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII by his mistress Elizabeth Blount. It was completely refurbished in the early 20th century.

Most visitors come to see the peaceful gardens, which are the work of the owners since the 1990s, but tours of the house are available too.

Image credit: Historic Houses

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Blacksmiths Lane
Hindringham
County
Norfolk
Post Code
NR21 0QA
Main Historic Period
Tudor
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Walsingham, Blickling, North Norfolk Coast
Primary Management
Independent – Historic Houses member
KELVEDON HATCH NUCLEAR BUNKER

Preserved cold war bunker designed to help continue some semblance of government following nuclear attack. Also known as 'the secret nuclear bunker'.  Not recommended.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
A128 Chipping Ongar to Brentwood Road
Kelvedon Hatch
County
Essex
Post Code
CM15 0LA
Main Historic Period
Modern
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Primary Management
Private - open to the public
KING’S COLLEGE, Cambridge

King's College, Cambridge, was founded by King Henry VI in 1441, the year after he founded Eton College, originally a sister college which sent scholars on to King's. It is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge and parts are open to the public. The highlight is undoubtedly the chapel, begun by Henry VI but finished by Henry VIII in 1544. The ceiling, windows and carving are breathtaking. It is also famous for the annual Christmas Eve service of Nine Lessons and Carols, introduced by Eric Milner-White in 1919 and now broadcast all over the world.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
King's Parade
Cambridge
County
Cambridgeshire
Post Code
CB2 1ST
Main Historic Period
Tudor
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
City Centre location close to other colleges and sights
KNEBWORTH HOUSE

Knebworth House is a Gothic-style mansion remodelled in the 19th century, but originally a Tudor red brick manor house.  It has been the home of the Lytton family since 1490 but is possibly best-known for being a venue for rock concerts.

The interior is sumptuous and owes much to the Edwardian designer, Sir Edwin Lutyens.  The house and grounds are open to the public and the latter include gardens, an adventure playground and dinosaur park.  Other events are hosted at Knebworth, in addition to the famous concerts – which have featured rock ‘n’ roll aristocracy such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Dire Straits – and it is a favourite film and TV location since the ‘60s.

Image credit: Historic Houses

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Old Knebworth Lane
Stevenage
County
Hertfordshire
Post Code
SG1 2AX
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Hatfield House, Warner Bros Studios, Whipsnade Zoo
Primary Management
Independent – Historic Houses member
MARTELLO TOWER, Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh's Martello Tower is the largest and most northerly of more than 100 Martello Towers built from Sussex to Suffolk to help defend England from the French. Aldeburgh's tower is unusual because it is quatrefoil in shape - four towers in one, designed to take 4 guns. It was built between 1808-1812. Derelict by the 1970s, it was restored by the Landmark Trust and is now managed by them as a holiday let. It is not generally open to the public so please respect people's privacy is you want to see it from the outside. It sits just a few minutes walk south of Aldeburgh, on the shingle spit of Orford Ness between the River Alde and the North Sea.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Slaughden Road
Aldeburgh
County
Suffolk
Post Code
IP15 5NA
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Tip/Nearby
Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Orford
Primary Management
Private - not open to the public
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM

A small museum telling the history of British military intelligence from the Boer War onwards. There are additional exhibitions dedicated to BRIXMIS, an intelligence gathering mission based in the former DDR during the Cold War, and to the Intelligence Corps' work with SOE, Special Operations Executive, during WW2.

The museum is on a military base. Visitors are welcomed but need to book visits in advance and brink photo ID with them - eg UK passport or driving licence.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Building 200
Chicksands
Shefford
County
Bedfordshire
Post Code
SG17 5PR
Main Historic Period
Modern
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Shuttleworth Collection, Woburn Safari Park
Primary Management
Military

If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch

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