East Anglia has been named one of the world’s must-visit regions for 2025 (Picture: Getty Images)
When planning a getaway for 2025, places such as Rome, Japan, and Mexico might be on your must-visit list.
But according to travel experts at Lonely Planet, a spot much closer to home should be a top contender for you.
Along with places such as South Carolina, Bavaria, Valais, and the Jordan Trail, the UK’s very own East Anglia made it into the travel guide’s top 10 list of must-visit regions for next year.
East Anglia, which has recently been in the news for having some drone drama, came in eighth place after a ‘long and rigorous selection process’. Travel pros claimed it offers ‘a taste of traditional England’ without the typical touristy attractions’.
For those who aren’t familiar with the region it consists of several counties, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. Lonely Planet also includes Essex within its East Anglia guide, and while it is in the East of England, there’s often much debate as to whether it’s actually a part of East Anglia or not.
Many will now likely be wondering what exactly makes this particular region so great. According to Tom Hall, the head of Lonely Planet UK, it’s the ‘unspoilt beaches, quiet villages, quirky market and seaside towns, as well as thriving cities like Norwich and Cambridge’.
But do locals agree with him? We spoke to people from across the region to find out what they really think of East Anglia. Here’s what they had to say…
Norwich is a foodie paradise and streets like Elm Hill (pictured) have quaint cobbled street(Picture: Getty Images)
For Brendan Padfield, owner of the Unruly Pig gastropub in Suffolk, it’s a no-brainer that East Anglia has been hailed as a must-visit.
‘This is no surprise at all,’ he told Metro. ‘I am not a native East Anglian but I have never regretted moving here 30 plus years ago. It’s an incredible region in which to live and bring up a family.
‘East Anglia’s vast open skies are what struck me when I first moved here from North Wales, and there are many special places across the region such as it’s capital, the city of Norwich (where I met my wife).
‘The north Norfolk coast offers quaint villages, poppy strewn dinky lanes and vast beaches. For example: Holkham beach is just glorious (perhaps best seen in the film Shakespeare in Love) but just watch out for the nudists though (there is a naturalist section to its dunes!)
The North Norfolk coast has some spectacular spots to explore (Credits: Getty Images)
Where to go in Suffolk
‘Suffolk, my adopted and home county is also so beautiful and still really unspoilt – yet it is only and hour or so from London by train.
‘Three particularly standout places to visit include the National Trust’s Orford Ness, Shingle Street Beach (like Dungeness in Kent but more desolate and beautiful), and the viking burial site of Sutton Hoo.’
He adds: ‘My wife …read more
Source:: Metro
