Punting on the River Cam, Cambridge

East of England: Cambridge, Norfolk & Suffolk

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Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

9 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1420 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Historic Cambridge

The delightful city of Cambridge is world-famous for the beauty of its 13th-century university – the second-oldest in the English-speaking world.

Take a punting trip on the river, visit the world-class Fitzwilliam Museum, or simply relax in a cosy English pub. The beauty of Cambridge lives long in the memories of all who visit.

Norfolk coast

With vast sandy beaches and rolling sand dunes, this has been designated an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ for more than 50 years and it’s easy to see why.

Unspoilt Holkham Beach is regularly voted one of Britain’s best beaches, and there are countless picturesque villages and Nature Reserves to visit.

Constable Country

Nestling on the Suffolk-Essex border, Dedham Vale is straight out of a fairytale. With picturesque watermills and babbling rivers, renowned artist John Constable painted some of his most celebrated works here, including Flatford Mill (‘Scene on a Navigable River’) and The Vale of Dedham.

Anglo-Saxon treasures

The Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo is home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.

Walk around the ancient burial mounds and discover the story of the early 7th century ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his most treasured possessions.

Royal connections

Sandringham Estate in Norfolk is a magnificent country house which was first built in 1862 as a country residence for the future King Edward VII. The 400-acre gardens are truly magnificent.

Suffolk coast

This magical stretch of coastline is reminiscent of the Low Countries with its houses on wooden stilts. Discover the vibrant towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh and wander the scenic Suffolk Coast Path.

A Stunning Road Trip Through England’s Historic East

With beautiful scenery and an abundance of fascinating historic sites, the English counties of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk are a delightful destination for a self-drive holiday.

This memorable road trip tour will transport you through a wonderful variety of landscapes, including unique salt marshes, idyllic rolling hills, and some of England’s most beautiful sandy beaches.

The ecosystems here attract an incredibly rich concentration of wildlife such as oystercatchers, otters, curlew and grey seals, and there are many world-class nature reserves where you can see them up close.

You will also experience the magical scenery of Dedham Vale AONB, where renowned artist John Constable painted many of his most famous works.

As well as a rich natural landscape, this region is dotted with impressive historic sites. Explore the magnificent university city of Cambridge, historic Norman castles at Framlingham, Orford and Castle Acre, and the awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo.

You’ll begin your self-drive holiday in Cambridge. This historic city is world-famous for the beauty of its 13th-century university – the second-oldest in the English-speaking world – and you’ll have plenty of time to explore the idyllic campuses which are dotted around the city. Take a punting trip on the river, visit the world-class Fitzwilliam Museum, or simply relax in a cosy English pub.

Travel north into Norfolk – stopping en route in Ely with its magnificent cathedral – to the seaport of King’s Lynn. This was once England’s busiest Medieval port and the legacy can be found in the many impressive merchant houses and other fascinating buildings around the town. King’s Lynn is undiscovered by most tourists and a true hidden gem worth spending some time exploring.

Stop to visit the grand Sandringham Estate – a country house first built in 1862 as a country residence for the future King Edward VII – before travelling to the North Norfolk coast. With vast sandy beaches and rolling sand dunes, this has been designated an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ for more than 50 years and it’s easy to see why.

Unspoilt Holkham Beach is regularly voted one of Britain’s best beaches, and there are countless picturesque villages and Nature Reserves to visit.

Continue through The Broads, a vast network of waterways and windmills, into the ancient county of Suffolk. Your destination is the Suffolk coast; a magical stretch of coastline reminiscent of the Low Countries with its flat terrain and houses on wooden stilts. Discover the vibrant towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh, wander the scenic Suffolk Coast Path, or visit Framlingham Castle which dates back to the Norman conquest.

Depart the Suffolk coast and make your way to the incredible Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo – home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Walk around the ancient burial mounds and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions.

Continue to Dedham Vale. Known as ‘Constable Country’, this magical region is straight out of a fairytale and was where renowned artist John Constable painted his most celebrated works. Spend two nights in West Suffolk where you can explore impressive Medieval wool towns like Lavenham, and relax and enjoy quintessential rural England at its best.

From West Suffolk you’ll make your way back to Cambridge where your memorable self-drive tour will come to an end.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Whilst our suggested itinerary begins in Cambridge, it is also available to start from many other locations including London.

Day 1: Arrive in Cambridge

Your self-drive holiday begins in Cambridge. This delightful small city is renowned for the beauty of its 13th-century university.
Overnight – Cambridge

Day 2: Cambridge Sightseeing

A free day in Cambridge will allow you plenty of time to wander around the idyllic campuses which are dotted around the city.

Take a punting trip on the river, visit the world-class Fitzwilliam Museum, or simply relax in a cosy pub. The beauty of Cambridge lives long in the memories of all who visit.

Just outside the city is Imperial War Museum Duxford – Europe’s largest air museum which houses an extraordinary collection of historic aircraft.

You could also visit the poignant Cambridge American Cemetery which lies just to the west of the city centre. This is the only American WWII cemetery in the United Kingdom.
Overnight – Cambridge

Day 3: Cambridge to King’s Lynn

Collect your hire car this morning and drive north into Norfolk – stopping en route at Ely to see its magnificent cathedral.

Arrive in the historic seaport of King’s Lynn. This was once England’s busiest Medieval port and the legacy can be found in the many impressive merchant houses and other fascinating buildings around the town – many of which have recently been renovated to return them to their former glory.

This town is a hidden gem undiscovered by most tourists and is well worth spending some time exploring.
Overnight – King’s Lynn

Day 4: King’s Lynn to North Norfolk

Today you will make your way from King’s Lynn to the famous Norfolk coast. On your way you could visit Sandringham Estate – a magnificent country house which was first built in 1862 as a country residence for the future King Edward VII, and a favourite retreat of the current Royal family. The 400-acre gardens are a delight to explore.

With vast sandy beaches and rolling sand dunes, the Norfolk coast has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for more than 50 years.
Overnight – North Norfolk

Day 5: North Norfolk Sightseeing

Today the Norfolk coast is yours to discover. You might like to stretch your legs and walk a section of the delightful Norfolk Coast Path, or travel to Holkham Beach which is regularly voted one of Britain’s best beaches.

Elsewhere there are countless picturesque villages, historic country houses, and RSPB Nature Reserves to visit.
Overnight – North Norfolk

Day 6: North Norfolk to Suffolk Coast

Continue through The Broads, a vast network of waterways and windmills, into the ancient county of Suffolk. Your destination is the Suffolk coast – a magical stretch of coastline reminiscent of the Low Countries with its flat terrain and houses on wooden stilts.
Overnight – Suffolk Coast

Day 7: Suffolk Coast Sightseeing

Today you’ll have a free day on the lovely Suffolk Coast. Discover the vibrant towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh, wander the scenic Suffolk Coast Path, or visit Framlingham Castle which dates back to the Norman conquest.
Overnight – Suffolk Coast

Day 8: Suffolk Coast to West Suffolk

Depart the Suffolk coast and make your way to the Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo – home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Walk around the ancient burial mounds and discover the incredible story of the ship burial of an Anglo-Saxon king and his treasured possessions.

Continue to Dedham Vale AONB, informally known as ‘Constable Country’. With picturesque watermills and babbling rivers, this magical region is straight out of a fairytale and was where the renowned artist John Constable painted his most celebrated works.

Make the short drive to West Suffolk where you will spend the next two nights.
Overnight – West Suffolk

Day 9: West Suffolk Sightseeing

This delightful region is quintessential rural England at its best. Lavenham, located in the heart of the stunning Suffolk countryside, is considered to be Britain’s best-preserved medieval village and one of Suffolk’s most important wool towns. There are impressive buildings around every corner.

Nearby there are impressive country houses and grand stately homes to visit. One of the most impressive is Melford Hall, the ancestral seat of the Parker Baronets, which is a testament to the great wealth of this prosperous part of England.
Overnight – West Suffolk

Day 10: West Suffolk to Cambridge and depart

From West Suffolk, you’ll make your way back to Cambridge, where your memorable self-drive tour will come to an end.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 9 nights including traditional English breakfast
Comprehensive information pack
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Map of England with our recommended driving route
8 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
Tickets for the Cambridge City Sightseeing Tour
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

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