Sutton Hoo

Sutton Hoo, whilst a very interesting historical place, may leave a lot to be desired if you like looking at things but it is worth a stop if you are in the area.

Sutton Hoo is a an ancient burial ground. I cannot do the discoveries that have been made here justice o I will just say that the museum that is here explains it really well. It shows how skilled these people were and if you can go on a tour, do it! It really made the trip worth it!

Tie this place in with a visit to Woodbridge.

Wicken Fen

Wicken Fen is  another great outdoors place to visit. It is the oldest Nature Reserve in the country. They provide a safe haven for wild local animals and have a great visitor centre.

There are a few circular walks and you are able to ride a bike here. Its just a nice day out in nature.

Wimpole Hall

Wimpole Hall is a beautiful property outside of Cambridge. You can take the dog for walks along the trails around the property.

They also have a working farm and you can buy food from it.

You can go cycling on the three routes that they have. They also have geocoaching there and you are able to rent a GPS from them.

They have events year round.

Definitely a great day out!

Oxburgh Hall

Oxburgh Hall is a National Trust property located in Norfolk about 20-30 minutes away from Lakenheath (could be shorter but Jane and I got a bit mixed on the way there).

Oxburgh Hall belong to the Bedingfield family and was built in the 15th century. Their property was auctioned off in 1951 because of the state of the economy and the house was bequeathed to the National Trust. It has amazing decorum and history. The Bedingfields were both staunch Catholics and Royalists which meant that they had to walk a very fine line as you could have been killed for being Catholic and times they had to leave the country for their safety. You can see and go in a priest hole, see where Henry VII and his wife stayed and the needlework of Mary the Queen of Scots (not to be confused with Bloody Mary). The tour of the house ends with a beautiful view from the roof terrace.

This is a great place to visit with the children and any history buffs. Pack a lunch and make it a day.

As a Catholic, it was interesting to hear the Catholic history displayed in such a way but this will amaze anyone.

Also visit the church outside the walls of the property, it has amazing terracotta statues that are in very good condition.

Why not stop at The Swan in Hilborough for a pint or a meal on the way home? It is family friendly and has that old pub charm I love.

Blickling Hall

Blicking Hall, a National Trust property, is a great day out in the East Anglian area for children, dogs and history lovers. It is an hours drive from RAF Lakenheath, so try to get there earlier and then you will not be rushed to take it all in.Also pack a lunch! There are facilities there to eat but if you are watching your purse, have your own picnic.

Blicking Hall was the childhood home and birth place of of Anne Boleyn, Henry the VIII's second wife. It is a lovely Jacobean building built in the 17th century.

Another interesting point about this property is that it is rumoured on the anniversary that Anne Boleyn lost her head, her ghost appears carrying the head in her hands.

They also have a display about the people that worked at the hall in the 1930s. It was privately occupied until 1939 and then it was handed over to the National Trust and used as an officers mess during World War II.

There are a number of walks around the property which you can take your dog on a lead. I know Dusty was exhausted when we were finished! There is also a playground so the children can burn off their energy.

A great local property for a last minute trip.

Great Yarmouth

A lot of British people would say that Great Yarmouth is a 'kiss me quickly' place to visit. I didn't know what they were talking about until I got there. I went to Great Yarmouth because I was running my first marathon (4:03:57- not too shabby!)

Greta Yarmouth was first a great place for fishermen as they fished herrings here. Then it was a seaside resort and gained popularity when the Victorians thought bathing in the sea was good for you. It was hit very hard in both WWI and WWII by bombs.

Great Yarmouth has 2 sandy beaches and 2 piers. It has a few rides, miniature golf and arcades too.  I would suggest that if you are looking for a beach with sand, this is nice but I prefer Southwold.

All is not lost if you go to Great Yarmouth though. I visited the Elizabethan House (National Trust) which is where they think that the execution of Charles I was planned.It was a quick visit as it was just before closing but you could definitely spend an hour or two here.

There are also some English Heritage Row Houses. in Great Yarmouth, the houses were in rows where the alleys were no more than 3 feet apart and when people opened the windows to the houses they could hold their neighbors hand. Sadly most of the houses were ruined in the WWII so these two houses are all that is left of the 17th century rows.

If you still decide to go to Great Yarmouth, I highly suggest staying at the Tudor House. The people are lovely, its walking distance from the beach and the town centre.

I was skeptical about some of the eateries there but I do suggest that you have a fish and chips at the seaside. I also suggest eating at The Regent on Regent Street, the food was great!

Some other intresting things about Great Yarmouth:

• Charles Dickens wrote David Coppefield
• Ann Sewell, the author of  Black Beauty was born here.

Anglesey Abbey

Angelesey Abbey is a lovely property to visit. Very local to the Burwell, Cambridge and Newmarket area.

The house was a priory but after the dissolution enforced by Henry VIII, it became a country home. It is a very interesting property with a Mill where you can buy flour made there.

It holds a lot of events especially for children. Its a great place for a day out and a picnic but dogs are not allowed.

Enjoy!

Lavenham

Lavenham is a medieval village which found fortune in the wool trade and most of the buildings are from the 15th century. The Church of St. Peter and St Paul is beautiful inside and dominates the skyline, but it shows how wealthy this village was.

It is a very picturesque village as it is full of half-timber and thatched roof houses. It feels like you have gone back in time. The crooked house you see in the picture comes from the well known rhyme “there was a crooked man, who lived in a crooked house”.

It is a lovely drive down and a lovely place to go away to for the day or the weekend. I love just to go down there, have lunch at The Swan, browse the little shops and walk around.

This is a great last minute trip but booking ahead is advised at the Swan.