East Anglia 4 day trip

Cambridge - Norwich

4 days

This 4 day East Anglia itinerary from Cambridgeshire to Norfolk takes in broad vistas, historic cities and the tranquil coastlines of England’s eastern counties. Cambridge, a quintessentially English city with the River Cam meandering through the centre, is a great place to start. It has an abundance of museums, colleges and attractions to keep visitors entertained for the first two days of their trip. Then on to Norwich, a medieval market town rich in history, with Norwich Castle and Cathedral the focal points in the town centre. The Norfolk Broads is worth a full day of exploration by boat; this area of wetlands with connecting rivers and lakes is truly impressive.

Start your journey

The train from London King’s Cross to Cambridge takes around 45 minutes and is best started in the morning to make the most of a full day.

For short trips, individual rail tickets can be booked in advance through the Trainline. For longer journeys, one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to explore Britain is with a BritRail Pass, which allows unlimited journeys and the freedom to explore.

Days 1 and 2

Cambridge

Cambridge is home to one of the world’s oldest and most famous universities. It pulls together magnificent architecture, riverside picnics, punting and fascinating tours and museums into what feels like a fairy-tale city.

Things to do in Cambridge

Kings College

One of Cambridge’s most iconic buildings, the grand gothic chapel of King’s College forms part of the historic Cambridge University. The best way to soak up the beauty of choral song or classical music is with a concert, or one of the daily evensong services.

Website: Kings College

Punting

Punts are traditional flat-bottomed boats that are propelled and steered with a long pole, historically used for angling. Today they’re an iconic part of Cambridge life; dozens can be seen cruising along the river on sunny days, with visitors using them as a way to get some exercise in a very English way!

Book on the Visit Britain shop

Sandringham Estate

The charming Sandringham House is a warm and welcoming country house, open to the public from April to October. This delightful country retreat is situated in the heart of 60 acres of beautiful wooded gardens, and is still maintained in the style of Edward and Alexandra, the Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra).

Website: Sandringham Estate

To get to Sandringham Estate, it is a 45 minute train journey to King’s Lynn. From here, the King’s Lynn bus station is a 3 minute walk. The hourly number 11 Stagecoach bus goes to Sandringham.

Days 3 and 4

Norwich

Catching the train from Cambridge to Norwich is a 1 hour and 20 minute direct journey, arriving in the heart of the ancient city. During the middle ages, Norwich was England’s second largest city after London, and the city today still has all the colour and charm of a bustling medieval market town. It has plenty of attractions, in particular its Norman castle and its towering cathedral, not to mention some of its great cultural charms, from museums to galleries, theatres and more.

Things to do in Norwich

Norwich Castle

Built as a Norman royal palace almost a thousand years ago, Norwich Castle is today a fascinating museum, full of fine art, archaeology and military exhibits. It’s an easy walk from the station, and definitely worth a visit.

Website: Norwich Castle

Norfolk Broads

The Norfolk Broads is one of Britain’s national parks. It’s a network of rivers and lakes that criss-cross the beautiful open landscapes of Norfolk, famous for their iconic traditional windmills. The best way to explore is on a boat tour, or by hiring a boat to fully appreciate this tranquil setting. The train from Norwich to Hoveton & Wroxham takes just 13 minutes, followed by an 8 minute walk to the boat tour office.

Website: Norfolk Broads

Britrail Pass

For those exploring Britain by train, a BritRail Pass is the easiest and most cost-effective way to travel. For a single fixed price, pass holders can make unlimited train journeys around the whole country or a region of their choice. BritRail tickets are exclusive to overseas visitors so they will need to buy their ticket before they arrive in the UK.

Book on the Visit Britain shop

Explore related content

Explore Central England

Stretching from the Cotswolds in the West, to the waterways and coastline of Norfolk in the East, with vibrant Birmingham at its heart, Central England is home to many well-loved, and easily accessibly destinations, including Stratford-Upon-Avon – the birthplace of Shakespeare.

Explore Warwick

Famously the home county of William Shakespeare, who hailed from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire is crammed with historic sites, castles and the beautifully green rolling fields and forests of the English countryside. The town itself is full of inspiring historic sites waiting to be explored, from the medieval Collegiate Church of St Mary to the magnificent Warwick Castle.