East of England Visitor Guide
With its coastal and country landscapes, market towns and villages, and many family attractions and events, East Anglia is the perfect destination for a holiday, short break or day out. In this guide we cover how to make the most of a trip to this beautiful region...
With its coastal and country landscapes, market towns and villages, and many family attractions and events, East Anglia is the perfect destination for a holiday, short break or day out. In this guide we cover how to make the most of a trip to this beautiful region...
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SWAFFHAM<br />
Swaffham is a delightful town, and was used<br />
for the TV series Kingdom starring Stephen<br />
Fry. Located on the very northern point <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Brecks, an area <strong>of</strong> outstanding beauty,<br />
Swaffham is a naturally pretty town <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
history, culture and plenty to see and do.<br />
The town has a great weekly market on<br />
Saturdays, beautiful Georgian buildings and a<br />
magnificent church.<br />
Nearby Oxburgh Hall is a romantic, moated<br />
manor house. It was built by the Bedingfeld<br />
family in the 15th century and they have lived<br />
there ever since. Inside, the family’s Catholic<br />
history is revealed, complete with a secret<br />
priest’s hole which you can crawl inside.<br />
Outside, you can enjoy panoramic views from<br />
the gate-house ro<strong>of</strong> and follow the wood-carving<br />
trails in the gardens and woodlands. Swaffham<br />
is a great base for exploring The Brecks.<br />
Close by you can soak up the tranquility in<br />
the Gooderstone Water Gardens - six acres <strong>of</strong><br />
garden including four ponds, waterways, trout<br />
stream, kingfisher hide and more. The Iceni<br />
village at Cockley Cley is a reconstruction <strong>of</strong><br />
an ancient village, with a museum.<br />
THETFORD<br />
Thetford is an ancient market town filled<br />
to the brim with history and heritage sites,<br />
quiet gardens, open parkland and a relaxing<br />
riverside. With Thetford Forest right on the<br />
doorstep, this is also the best base for<br />
discovering the wildlife and outdoor pleasures<br />
<strong>of</strong> The Brecks ideal for walking, cycling, riding<br />
and action-packed adventure days.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> the buildings in the town and<br />
surrounding villages were used for filming and<br />
there is a Dad’s Army exhibition at the nearby<br />
Bressigham Steam Museum near Diss, and a<br />
statue <strong>of</strong> actor Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring<br />
in Thetford town. Thetford has been<br />
the Saxon capital <strong>of</strong> <strong>East</strong> Anglia; an important<br />
medieval religious centre, an elegant 19th<br />
century spa and the manufacturing base <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world-famous Burrell steam engines.<br />
In the heart <strong>of</strong> Thetford Forest you’ll find Go Ape,<br />
an award-winning high wire forest adventure<br />
course <strong>of</strong> rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip<br />
slides, all set high up in the trees. If you’re looking<br />
for a phenomenal family day out, Go Ape is<br />
guaranteed fun. You can also take in Go Ape’s<br />
beautiful location from the ground as you whizz<br />
through the forest on segways. The day is<br />
guaranteed to leave you on an adrenaline filled<br />
buzz as high as the trees!<br />
eastlife.co.uk 113
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