East Anglia has been included in Lonely Planet’s top destinations for 2025 – Out of 10 regions, it’s the only listing from the UK and rubs shoulders with global gems like Germany’s Bavaria, the Valais region of Switzerland, the Terai, Nepal and Australia’s Tamar Valley.
Combining the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk, East Anglia includes fantastic towns and cities like Norwich and Bury St Edmunds, historic gems like Lavenham, Long Melford and Clare and fabulous landscapes to explore like Thetford Forest, the Norfolk Broads (the UK's smallest national park) and our favourite part of the region, the North Norfolk Coast.
This Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers a stunning world of its own: huge open skies, Blue Flag beaches, quaint seaside towns and an abundance of wildlife in the tidal marshes and pine woods. Hike the stunning Norfolk Coast Path, explore charming inland market towns and National Trust estates and discover unique attractions. For exceptional accomodation, consider Titchwell Manor, East England’s 2025 Hotel of the Year, or the four North Norfolk properties featured in The Times’ top 100 Places to Stay in 2025: The White Horse, Brancaster, the Gin Trap Inn, Ringstead, the Maltings, Weybourne, and Meadowsweet, Holt.
Wildlife
North Norfolk’s unique blend of habitats support a huge range of wildlife, and the region is renowned for having some of the finest birdwatching in the UK. Spend a day at RSPB Titchwell Marsh, exploring reedbeds, woodland, salt marsh, beach and freshwater lagoons with numerous hides. You might see Avocets and spoonbills, marsh harriers (rare elsewhere but thriving here), bearded tits and even the elusive bittern. At Hunstanton’s striking striped cliffs, fulmars nest in the rocky crevices and soar overhead, and you can take a boat trip to Blakeney Point to see one of the UK’s largest grey seal colonies.
At dusk, look out for ghostly barn owls floating over the fields, and in winter, enormous flocks of noisy pink footed geese pass overhead in V formations en route to their feeding grounds.
Towns and villages
From award-winning fish and chips to local ales and fresh seafood, these towns offer a true taste of North Norfolk’s unique charm:
Wells Next the Sea: a classic seaside town, its miles of glorious beach, stretching past Holkham all the way to Burnham Overy Staithe, are regularly voted best in Britain. Follow the rows of colourful striped beach huts to the long causeway into town for award winning fish and chips (French’s, on the front, has been family run for over 100 years and won last year’s National Fish and Chips Awards), winding streets full of little shops, penny arcades and ice creams.
Sheringham: Home to an award winning Blue Flag Beach and the North Norfolk Railway, visitors can ride the heritage steam railway through stunning coastal scenery to Holt. Sheringham Park is full of lovely walks and the nearby Muckleburgh Military Collection has the largest privately owned military museum in the UK.
Cley-next-the-sea – Explore this picturesque village (pronounced "Cly"), famous for its 18th century windmill and the Cley Marshes Nature Reserve, run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. In the village itself you’ll find a 13th century church, tea shops and for lunch, Picnic Fayre deli and the Cley Smokehouse.
Blakeney – Another delightful village with a harbour and salt marsh views, home to quaint flint cottages and the historic Guildhall, where you can see the red brick vaulted remains of a 15th century merchant's house. St Nicholas Church is also medieval and is unusual for having two towers. Head to the Blakeney Hotel for lunch to try delicious seafood and local delicacy, samphire and take a boat trip from the quay to see the famous seal colony at Blakeney Point.
Cromer – A popular holiday resort for over 100 years, visitors can take a walk past the grand Edwardian hotels along the front and down the Victorian pier to the last end-of-the-pier variety theatre in the country. Cromer is home to the tallest parish church tower in the county (160ft) and two fascinating museums: the Cromer Museum in a row of historic fishermen’s cottages and the RNLI Henry Blogg museum, about the town’s lifeboat. Be sure to try Cromer crab, dressed, in a salad or sandwich.
Brancaster –head down past the village church and follow the grassy bank to the golf club house where you'll find Brancaster's lovely, enormous beach. At one end you'll see the shipwreck of SS Vina, used by the RAF as target practice before the D-Day landings. Be careful when walking this part of the beach as the tidal channels can be very dangerous and can cut you off if you don't check the tide times.
You're spoilt for choice when it comes to food options, from fine dining at the Ship Hotel and the White Horse (one of the Times' top 100 places to stay) to stone-baked pizzas and steaming bowls of locally harvested mussels just up the road in Brancaster Staithe at the Jolly Sailors. This 18th century inn with a flagstone front bar and sunny beer garden even brews its own beer - try a pint of Oystercatcher. At lunch time, visit the Crab Hut down at Brancaster Staithe's harbour for generously filled seafood rolls stuffed with crab, prawns or tuna, whole crabs and tubs of whelks, cockles and prawns.
Holt – this elegant market town took its current form following a devastating 1708 fire, resulting in a wonderful collection of flint stone Georgian buildings. Wander around the independent shops, art galleries, and antique stores, tucked away on narrow streets and hidden yards, and don't miss Bakers & Larners, family run for 250 years. This department store is like a mini Fortnum & Masons with it's fabulous food hall.
Just outside of town is the train station where you can catch the North Norfolk Railway to Sheringham, Holt Country Park, a serene area of woods and heathlands with plenty of walks and the tiny Shell Museum in Glandford, the oldest purpose-built museum in Norfolk and the finest seashell collection in the UK.
Points of interest
North Norfolk is a region brimming with diverse attractions, from historic estates and royal residences to wildlife sanctuaries and unique museums:
Holkham Hall: A magnificent 18th-century Palladian mansion set within a vast, beautiful estate. Explore the grand interiors, wander through the parkland, and enjoy the stunning Holkham beach nearby. The estate also hosts various events and exhibitions throughout the year.
Felbrigg Hall: An elegant 17th-century country house with a walled garden and extensive parkland, managed by the National Trust. Discover the hall's fascinating history, admire the fine collection of furniture and art, and stroll through the serene gardens and woods.
Sandringham Estate: The much-loved country retreat of the Royal Family. Tour the house and gardens, learn about the estate's history, and visit the museum, which displays a collection of royal vehicles and memorabilia. The surrounding woodland is perfect for walks.
Bircham Windmill: A restored working windmill offering a glimpse into traditional milling practices. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and enjoy the bakery and tea room.
Thursford: Famous for its spectacular Christmas Spectacular show, Thursford also houses a remarkable collection of steam engines and organs, claimed to be the world's largest. Explore the museum and experience the impressive scale and craftsmanship of these historic machines.
Pensthorpe: A nature reserve and gardens showcasing diverse habitats and wildlife where visitors can explore the beautifully landscaped gardens, observe the birdlife, and enjoy the play areas. It is a great place for nature lovers and families.
SEA LIFE Hunstanton: A marine aquarium and seal sanctuary where visitors can get up close to a variety of sea creatures, including seals, sharks, and rays, learn about marine conservation and enjoy interactive exhibits.
Amazona Zoo - Cromer: A unique zoo dedicated to South American wildlife. See a variety of animals, including jaguars, monkeys, and birds, in naturalistic enclosures.
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