Constable Country & Suffolk Coastlines

Highlights: Southwold, Deben Estuary cruise with cream tea, East Bergholt, Lavenham, Aldeburgh, Flatford Mill, Sudbury

The idyllic pastoral landscapes of the Stour Valley, on the border of Suffolk and Essex, inspired great painters such as Constable and Gainsborough in the 18th century. Once a thriving centre in medieval times, today it is a rural backwater which attracts visitors with its picturesque towns and half-timbered villages, thatched cottages, magnificent churches, and quiet countryside. Venture a little further to the Suffolk Coast and we discover genteel coastal resorts and estuaries thriving with wildlife.

**Please note it is a condition of travel with Grand UK, for all passengers to hold valid travel insurance for the duration of their tour.**Excursions
FULL DAY: Through the quilted landscapes of Constable Country we arrive in East Bergholt where the artist John Constable was born. This area was the focus of many of his famous paintings and we head downhill to Flatford Mill where his most famous painting - the Hay Wain - was produced. Here, Bridge Cottage is worth visiting with an exhibition of his life and work. We conclude our day in Sudbury, home of another of England's finest artists, Robert Gainsborough, where his home is a permanent museum to him in the centre of this charming market town.

FULL DAY: To pretty Lavenham this morning, a medieval wool town with a profusion of half-timbered buildings and galleries. It is one of the most photographed villages in England where the main street was used in the Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows film. From here we head to the River Deben for an afternoon cruise on the Deben Estuary, a protected area rich in wildlife. While on board we also enjoy a lovely cream tea as the on-board commentary tells the story of the wildlife and history of this captivating estuary.

FULL DAY: In the morning to Aldeburgh, a tiny, picturesque seaside resort with a shingle beach and famous for its literary connections and annual Music Festival, founded by composer Benjamin Britten, before moving on to Southwold. Set on a low cliff, with a sandy beach and pier, it was once a fishing town, but nowadays is better known for its brewery and colourful beach huts.

Escorted Travel
Every one of our coach holidays includes the services of a coach driver and is always fully escorted by a knowledgeable Tour Manager, they are on hand every day and night and stay in the same hotel to ensure your holiday is stress-free.




Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday.


We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.


They are simply the best in the business.




Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday. They are simply the best in the business.

We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.


Pick-Up Information
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier.
The Tour Ref on the holiday tab indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.






Traveling from Departure Area A: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Northampton Services on the M11, at junction 15A.





Traveling from Departure Area B: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Beaconsfield Services, M40, junction 2.





Your Pick Up Points
Joining Your Grand UK Coach Holiday
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier, please refer to our Pick-ups section below for more details.
The Tour Ref below indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.Best Western Priory Hotel
Located one mile from the centre of Bury St Edmunds the Priory Hotel is a Grade II listed building with a good reputation and a perfect base for touring Suffolk.

Hotel Facilities
*** (AA)
- Restaurant, terrace bar
- En-suite bedrooms
- Free Wi-Fi
- No lift but rooms available on the ground floor