Cromer, Norfolk

East Anglia Is The Best Place To Visit In The UK Next Year

2 months ago

…According to Lonely Planet’s latest report

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East Anglia Is The Best Place To Visit In The UK Next Year

Cromer, Norfolk

Every year, Lonely Planet’s roster of expert travellers collates the ‘Best in Travel’ report, highlighting the best destinations to visit in the coming year. In a batch of 30 places spanning five continents, one UK location has made the cut: East Anglia.

C&TH Guide to Responsible Tourism

Norwich Cathedral

Is East Anglia The Best Place To Visit In 2025?

‘East Anglia offers a taste of traditional England without the typical touristy attractions,’ Lonely Planet says. ‘Comprising Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire, this region features charming villages with 16th-century half-timbered houses, artistic wool towns and a coastline adorned with beaches and bird reserves where the sounds of bitterns can be heard in spring.’

‘I love the quirky market towns with unusual shops and a real community vibe,’ Annette Salkald from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds tells Lonely Planet. ‘There are also spectacular places to explore nature, such as Minsmere and Dersingham Bog and some absolutely stunning scenery.’

Home to the nation’s easternmost point, East Anglia dates back as early as the sixth century, when settlers from Northern Germany established the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the East Angles here. As a result, the region is brimming with history to uncover, including in Peterborough, Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge and Ely. Lonely Planet underscores three highlights:

‘Listen as the wind amongst the reeds creates a soul-soothing soundtrack at birding hot spots such as Minsmere.’
‘University-hop in Cambridge, visiting legendary libraries, exceptional museums and college greens.’
‘Have a night out in Norwich, Norfolk’s cultured capital, enjoying theater, live music, art shows and creative dining.’

Husk, Thorington, Suffolk

Where To Stay In East Anglia

Time to start planning your East Anglia adventure, it seems. Lucky for you, we’ve already handpicked the best hotels the region has to offer, spanning Georgian country house hotels, cosy B&Bs and everything in between. Find them here.

Where Else Made The List?

Thirty destinations made Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 report, spanning cities to regions (including East Anglia) to countries. The full list of destinations is as follows: