Surprising Suffolk

A county filled with natural beauty situated on the east coast of England, bordered by 50 miles of glorious coastline and topped with breathtakingly beautiful open skies, it’s the perfect holiday and short break destination. Suffolk, full of genteel appeal, is dotted with picturesque villages, magnificent churches and lavish Tudor buildings seemingly lost in time. Discover Suffolk's quintessential charm with this new itinerary which takes in the Anglo-Saxon burial ground of Sutton Hoo (filming location for the recent film 'The Dig'), a scenic river cruise and a stunning garden with 'resident' vintage train rides. Suffolk is full of surprises!So much to see and do in Suffolk
DAY 1 - Board your holiday coach and head off to Suffolk with a stop en-route for sightseeing and refreshments in medieval Lavenham. This former wool-trade centre is one of the UK's best preserved towns with its exquisite collection of 300 listed half-timbered and thatched buildings which have been left virtually untouched since the 15th century. Travel the short distance to the market town of Bury St Edmunds, your holiday base in Suffolk to check into your hotel for 4 nights dinner, bed and breakfast.

DAY 2 - 4 - At leisure in Bury St Edmunds with two included excursions and one optional excursion

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Bury St Edmunds and Bressingham Steam & Gardens
A short drive this morning into Bury St. Edmunds, whose past is ever present in its handsome Georgian architecture. Once the most famous pilgrimage location in England, Bury is home to the magnificent St Edmundsbury Cathedral as well as the atmospheric ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund in the stunning Abbey Gardens. Known as Suffolk's foodie town, Bury St Edmunds is home to Greene King and many award-winning eateries. Wednesday is market day. Continue 'over the border' into Norfolk for an included visit to Bressingham Steam & Gardens. A paradise for garden lovers, Bressingham covers 16 acres with stunning plant combinations to admire across six distinct gardens including Alan Bloom's Dell Garden, a newly planted Fragrant Garden and spectacular Summer Garden. Bressingham is also home to a fine collection of industrial mainly steam powered locomotives and there is no better way to explore the beautiful gardens, woodlands and countryside than by climbing aboard a magnificent steam engine! With over four miles of narrow-gauge tracks and several journeys to choose from, it's the perfect way to relax and enjoy the scenery! Entrance includes unlimited railway rides as well as the beautiful vintage Gallopers carousel. NB diesel service may operate on some days

Sutton Hoo & Deben Boat Cruise
Enjoy a visit today to Sutton Hoo, England's Valley of the Kings and one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Left undisturbed for 1300 years, the hull of an enormous Anglo-Saxon ship was uncovered here in 1939, buried under a mound of earth. The vessel was the grave of Raedwald, an East-Anglian king, and was stuffed with Saxon riches, reflecting a sophisticated culture. The 27m oak boat no longer exists, having rotted away leaving an imprint in the sand. A full-scale reconstruction of the ship, burial chamber and many of the original finds can be seen in the visitor centre. There is an accessible outdoor walk to the burial mounds (approx. 20 mins on flat ground) or you may prefer to stay at the exhibition, cafe and shop. Later head to Waldringfield where you will be welcomed aboard the all-weather 'Jahan' for a 2 hour boat journey along the river Deben, one of the most beautiful and scenic spots on the East Coast (3 steps down to board the boat). The tidal Deben Estuary is a Special Protection Area and within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. An onboard commentary will tell of its rich wildlife and history whilst you enjoy afternoon tea with a freshly baked scone.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION
Suffolk Coastal Tour - Aldeburgh & Southwold
Head to time-warped coastal Aldeburgh, a neat little seaside resort with its sweeping shingle beach, picturesque streets and charming pastel-coloured houses. Then on to upmarket Southwold, set on a low cliff, with a sandy beach, pebble-walled cottages, rows of colourful beach huts and pier. Once a bustling fishing town, it is more famous nowadays for its brewery and it has attracted artists such as Damien Hirst, Lucian Freud and JMW Turner.

DAY 5 - After a leisurely breakfast, check out of the hotel and head off with a stop in vibrant Cambridge. A university town extraordinaire, Cambridge brims with history, tradition and scholarly charm. Afterwards head homeward via interchange, arriving during the evening.Hotel
Dragonfly Hotel, Bury St Edmunds
This modern 3* low rise hotel is located about a mile outside of Bury St Edmunds. Guestrooms are stylish and comfortable and offer free WiFi, flat screen TV and tea / coffee making facilities. There is a relaxed restaurant, bar and an outdoor terrace.

There is no lift but some ground floor rooms (some internal steps)

Hotels
• Dragonfly Hotel, Bury St Edmunds (Bury St Edmunds) - View Information