Eastern England Walk

Arrive at London Heathrow airport and transfer to the iconic university town of Cambridge where we spend our first two nights.

We spend today exploring this world-famous university town, with its rich medieval heritage and cutting-edge status as the UK’s center of computing and micro-technology, the heart of ‘Silicon Fen.’ We walk through Grantchester Meadows, celebrated by the poetry of Rupert Brooke, and visit the colleges in the company of a local academic.

Our route today lies to the east as we turn towards the Essex coast and into Suffolk. Pause at the ancient town and church of Long Melford and continue on to beautiful, medieval Lavenham. From there, we ride to our luxury country house hotel in Woodbridge.

Travel to the delightful countryside that served as inspiration for the famous English painter, John Constable. He is renowned for his stunning landscapes of the region of Dedham Vale, which we explore on foot, passing by Flatford Mill, which has changed little since he painted it two centuries ago. This afternoon, we venture to Sutton Hoo, the site of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king. One of archaeology’s greatest finds, the story of Sutton Hoo was recently brought to life in the movie, The Dig. Return by road to our hotel.

The region around Woodbridge is today known for its musical connections. Benjamin Britten, one of the pioneering composers of the twentieth century, was born in Suffolk and made his home in the windswept seaside town of Aldeburgh. We walk from Aldeburgh to the beautiful village of Snape where converted malt houses now host the famous Aldeburgh Festival. After a picnic lunch here, continue to the isolated coastal village of Orford and out to the edge of the Orford Ness National Nature Reserve. A haven for birds, this wild and remote area also played a major role in Britain’s nuclear arms development during the Cold War.

This morning, leave Suffolk and travel north into the heart of Norfolk. Our morning walk leads from the hamlet of West Acre to the idyllic Castle Acre Priory. After our picnic lunch, enjoy a visit to England’s most important Roman Catholic pilgrimage site, Walsingham Abbey. We then travel to our hotel in Burnham Market on the north Norfolk Coast, a mecca for birdwatchers from around the world.

Our walk leads us along the north Norfolk Coast with its quiet, unhurried beauty. This is the coastline where the young Horatio Nelson, England’s greatest hero, grew up and found his passion for the sea. We make our way eastwards to the little village of Holkham, which surrounds Holkham Hall, the great country seat of the Earls of Leicester, pioneers of the Agricultural Revolution. Later this afternoon, return to Burnham Market by road. This evening, we dine in a local pub.

Continue our exploration of the north Norfolk Coast with a beautiful walk that takes us from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Centre at Cley, through the flat, enchanting land and seascapes of Blakeney. After a picnic lunch, we take a boat out onto the water to see the birdlife and seals. Return to our hotel by road.

This morning, head south from Burnham Market, passing the royal palace of Sandringham and entering the county of Lincolnshire. Pause at Burghley House, built by the sixteenth century royal treasurer, William Cecil. From here, walk to the glorious market town of Stamford and enjoy time to explore before continuing by road to our beautiful country house hotel in the Northamptonshire countryside.

Our final walk takes us south on a lovely path past villages with the charming names of Canons Ashby and Moreton Pinkney before arriving at Sulgrave Manor. Built by the ancestors of George Washington, this beautiful manor house claims to be the very home of the “special relationship” between The United States and Great Britain.

After breakfast, transfer to Heathrow airport for flights returning home.