v  MERSEA ISLAND & SMUGGLERS COAST
v  MALDON & TIPTREE
v  BURY ST EDMONDS & LAVENHAM
v  MELFORD HALL
v  CAVENDISH AND CLARE
v  CAMBRIDGE AND HISTORIC ELY
v  BLUE BADGE GUIDE FOR ONE DAY

 Set in the heart of the Stour Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty, is the ancient market town of Sudbury, birthplace of the artist Gainsborough. Sudbury is our base for this tour featuring many contrasting and varied aspects of East Anglia, from the colleges of Cambridge to the smugglers haunts of the coast.  A tour with something for everyone.

YOUR HOTEL  The Mill Hotel in Sudbury is an absolute gem. Originally a flour mill, the hotel stands on the banks of the River Stour, the restaurant overlooks the terrace and delightful mill pond, and to set the scene, housed behind a glass screen between the restaurant and the lounge is the working mill wheel. All bedrooms are en suite and have television, telephone, hairdryer and tea & coffee making facilities.  There are no lifts but some ground floor rooms are available.

MONDAY  Depart from your home area travelling to East Anglia and arriving late afternoon at Mill Hotel Sudbury.

TUESDAY  Leaving the hotel we cross into Essex and meander through the land of smugglers and intrigue – a land of marshes and hidden coves and lonely inlets – to Mersea Island before calling at a famous smugglers inn, The Peldon Rose.  Booty at this inn was not concealed in the cellar, but in a large well hidden in the middle of the adjacent pond.  We continue on our way to the Blackwater estuary with a wealth of legends about smuggling, to Maldon before our final call at Wilkin’s Tiptree Jam Museum, tea room and shop.

WEDNESDAY  This morning we make our way via Great Dunmow and Thaxted to Saffron Walden.  Dating back to medieval times, the town has many ancient and historic town centre buildings.  From here we drive to the University City of Cambridge where we have time to explore the famous colleges why not take a ride on a punt or explore the many individual shops.   Return late afternoon via Newmarket, with its many racing connections.

THURSDAY  Our day begins with a ride to historic Lavenham with its many colourful and old buildings.  After a break we continue to Bury St Edmunds, famous for its stunning Abbey Gardens surrounding the Abbey ruins.  Nearby is the Angel Hotel, where Dickens had Mrs Pickwick stay, and the Nutshell pub, the smallest in Britain.  From here we continue into rural Suffolk and through the pretty Suffolk villages of Clare and Cavendish, with pastel coloured houses, thatched roofs, antique shops and art galleries to Long Melford.  Here we visit the superb Melford Hall. Now in the care of the National Trust the picturesque turrets of Melford Hall have dominated Long Melford’s village green for almost five centuries.  After a devastating fire in 1942 the house was brought back to life and offers an insight into family life of the time.

FRIDAY  After breakfast we leave and begin our journey home via the historic City of Ely, with its beautiful Cathedral, known as the ‘Ship of the Fens’.  Why not visit Oliver Cromwell’s House built in the thirteenth century or visit the Stained Glass Museum.

PRICE PER PERSON                                                    £315

 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT                                            NONE THREE AVAILABLE

PRICE INCLUDES:- Pick up from local area or car parking on our premises (please state when booking as this is less time on the coach).  Executive air-conditioned coach travel with toilet, hot and cold drinks facilities.  Half board accommodation.  All excursions.  Half board accommodation.  Admission to Melford Hall.