Suffolk

One of England's oldest towns, dating back to Saxon times - its streets are lined with historic buildings such as 12 medieval churches, and the Ancient House which has amazing pargetting. Sitting in parkland, the beautiful red brick Christchurch Mansion houses a fascinating free museum home to some of John Constable's paintings. The town also has a rich maritime heritage, with an interesting waterfront and marina area.

Take the short train journey to the historic town of Needham Market. Pick up from the trainstation and you will get your travel documtens and rental bikes. On a small cycle path you will goto Debenham, a pretty, historic village with its overhanging, half-timbered houses, antique shops and huge church, then continue on to Saxtead Green. Here you can visit the beautifully restored 18th century post mill before discovering the charms of nearby Framlingham, a very English town with a bustling market square full of interesting little shops and a mighty 12th century castle. Stop a while for refreshments and to drink in the atmosphere – or to walk the castle walls for stunning views of the town and its rolling Suffolk countryside. Leafy lanes and open, undulating countryside lead on via cottage-lined villages and more medieval churches to the market town of Halesworth.

Halesworth has a wide range of historic facades and welcoming little shops, and medieval St Mary’s church is worth a visit too before setting off on a circular route towards the coast to discover more of Suffolk’s historic treasures. Pass the post mill at Holton en route to Wangford, a village packed with a variety of cottages, time-honoured houses and an impressive coaching inn all with stories to tell. The Suffolk Heritage Coast and Sole Bay are soon on the horizon together with Southwold, Suffolk’s very dignified and charming seaside town with wide open greens edged with smart, historic houses; a pier and lighthouse, excellent local brewery and a prom lined with really colourful beach huts. Cross the River Blyth by small bridge or foot ferry to historic Walberswick and on along the estuary to picturesque Wenhaston and back to Halesworth.

Head coastwards again to Dunwich, the medieval capital of East Anglia, now largely disappeared beneath the waves. Take a look at the ruined Greyfriars Priory clinging to the cliff tops, then continue along breath-taking heathlands, perhaps visiting the famous bird reserve at Minsmere. Leafy lanes lead through Eastbridge past more ruins at Leiston Abbey towards the winding creeks of the River Alde. Here at Snape Maltings, the Aldeburgh Festival concert hall sits amidst a great little collection of galleries, shops and antique sellers and is a lovely place to enjoy refreshments whilst drinking in the river views. You cross the river Deben with a ferry before you end the stage in Felixtowe.

You leave Felixtowe in direction Orwell. Here you can enjoy some small ferry trips before you will follow the river Stour to the heart of Contable Country. You cycle through amazing landscapes, the setting of Stour Valley and Dedham Vale. Same day you will visit the famous acts of the landscape artist John Constable from the 18th century.

Rolling countryside leads across from Stoke by Nayland and the pretty village of Shelley to the fine ‘Wool Town’ of Hadleigh where a Tudor red brick Deanery Tower sits alongside the most impressive medieval church topped with a spire and leaning houses with bright pargetting line the main street. Next historic Kersey thrills with a downhill from church to watersplash. Together with  nearby Chelsworth, it counts amongst the prettiest villages in England.  More historic farmsteads and villages line the undulating route to the impressive wool town, Long Melford. This impressive village has not one, but two red brick Tudor manor houses, wide greens, a remarkable medieval church and a mile long main street, busy with interesting shops, antique centres, historic pubs and restaurants.

Start the day with the medieval labyrinth of half-timbered houses that is Lavenham, the most famous ‘Wool Town’.  More rolling countryside follows and a visit to the pretty village of Hartest before dropping in at the eccentric, oval stately home of Ickworth House a few miles outside the ancient market town of Bury St Edmunds.  Bury is full of history, tiny streets and old Suffolk charm. Walk through the massive stone gateway to the ruined abbey flanked by beautiful gardens leading down to the River Lark. The cathedral here gained its impressive tower to celebrate the new millennium .There’s a twice weekly market and a chance for a drink at The Nutshell, the smallest pub in Britain.