{"id":7847,"date":"2024-06-15T22:45:43","date_gmt":"2024-06-15T22:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/16-best-places-in-the-east-of-england-to-visit\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T08:53:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T08:53:07","slug":"16-best-places-in-the-east-of-england-to-visit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justpaste.in\/blogs\/16-best-places-in-the-east-of-england-to-visit\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Best Places In The East of England To Visit (Ultimate Travel Guide)"},"content":{"rendered":"

England is an incredible country to explore, with so many incredible cities<\/a>, the most beautiful castles<\/a> and stunning national parks<\/a>. Best of all, these are dotted all across the country, meaning there are lots to explore along your trip around England. This is especially true with the best places in the East of England to visit, with so many gems to find.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, as you\u2019ll probably know, we\u2019ve got a proper love affair for exploring England, and we\u2019ve been making plans to travel around the stunning spots in the north of England<\/a>, the lovely places in the south of England<\/a>, whilst also heading to the West of England<\/a> to explore places like Cornwall<\/a>, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This is exactly why I wanted to pop you a few of my total favourite and best places in the East of England you should think of visiting. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now, before we all get technical on what is considered the East of England, I\u2019m going for anything east of Southampton<\/a> and Leeds<\/a> (just to make things easy). <\/span>Anyway, totally rambling again (as normal), but take a look at some of the best places in the East of England to visit on your next adventure. Have the best time.<\/span><\/p>\n

1.) York<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Okay, York<\/a> is probably one of my favourite \u201csmaller\u201d cities in England, but it is totally stunning and has centuries of history packed into this walled city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once here, make sure to explore York Minster, which you can even scale to reach the roof, too. Afterwards, take a stroll past Guy Fawkes’ stomping ground before heading across to The Shambles<\/a>. It\u2019s honestly like something right out of Harry Potter.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finally, make sure to take a wander around the walls, or even hop on a self-drive boat up the river. It\u2019s a lovely way to chill out.  <\/span>If it\u2019s museums and art you love, be sure to check out the York Art Gallery<\/a> and Castle Museum, too. York is one of the best places in the East of England to explore the history of England.<\/span><\/p>\n

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For a tasty bite to eat, pop over to Roots<\/a>, which has one of the yummiest menus in the city. <\/span>They create dishes with seasonal produce, and it\u2019s just amazing. Also, they have one pretty epic cocktail menu to boot!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oh yeah, and if you\u2019re staying in York for a long weekend, make sure to pop into Skosh, a fusion restaurant that serves up some tasty dishes! We both loved it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for the best hotel in York<\/a>? Make sure to book this iconic property, right in the heart of old York. Its name is the Grand York<\/a>, and one of the city’s most iconic hotels to stay<\/a>. The building has been around for centuries, and the character is incredible. We loved these suits<\/a>. Plus, it’s within walking distance of all the key sights to see in York.<\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in York<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

2.) Arundel<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Situated around a 90-minute drive (south) from London, Arundel<\/a> is an incredible town to visit with a glorious history and one massive castle that the town surrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Home to the Duke of Norfolk, you can head inside and view the stunning rooms, estate and gardens that make so much of the town itself. <\/span>Just make sure to give yourself 2-3 hours to leisurely see everything here, it\u2019s pretty big!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Afterwards, pop out of the castle, and you\u2019ll be smack-bang in the town itself! Take a wander across the little streets, which are filled with little restaurants and independent shops that are so cute.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a yummy bite to eat, reserve a table at The Parsons Table, who serve up some of the best locally sourced food in the region. We loved this spot so much.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finally, if you fancy staying in an actual castle, check into Amberley Castle<\/a>, which is not too far away. <\/span><\/p>\n

This castle dates back hundreds of years and is such a picturesque place to stay. We stayed for a long weekend and didn\u2019t want to leave. It really is one of the best places in the East of England to visit if you are close to London or the south-east coast.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Exploring Arundel Castle<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

3.) Whitby<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Just up the coast from Robin Hood\u2019s Bay<\/a>,  <\/span>Whitby is another town that\u2019s perfect for a little visit, especially if you want to explore more of Yorkshire. <\/span>Around a 70-minute drive from York<\/a>, it\u2019s a pretty easy place to visit whilst you\u2019re heading across the North York Moors National Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once you\u2019re here, make sure to first stop at Whitby Abbey, which overlooks the town itself and dates all the way back to the 7th-Century. Afterwards, take a little wander into town and explore the harbourfront and small pubs that line the way. <\/span><\/p>\n

Oh, and for some proper British fish and chips, stop off at the Magpie Cafe, you\u2019ll leave properly stuffed.<\/span><\/p>\n

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That being said, if you fancy a gorgeous spot for lunch, drive a little out of the town and head for the award-winning Estbek House<\/em> in Sandsend.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s about 1km from the harbour. Just make sure to book a table in advance, it\u2019s a cosy restaurant, and tables can fill up fast, especially for the fresh, wild fish they serve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for a great hotel in Whitby<\/a>? Make sure to check into Sneaton Castle<\/a>, which is under a mile away from the centre of Whitby. It’s absolutely stunning, and, as the name suggests, it’s a castle. After all, you’re in the North East of England, which has the highest concentrations of castles in the country! <\/p>\n

Read more: Exploring Whitby<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

4.) Berwick-upon-Tweed<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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The northernmost town in all of England, Berwick-upon-Tweed, has had a long and turbulent history due to its proximity to the Scottish\/English border for many years. This all means there is lots of history to explore once in the town, with a few cool things to see on a day trip. <\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure to see the Berwick Town Walls that\u2019ll take you on a relatively easy one-and-a-half-mile circuit around the area (and you\u2019ll get to glimpse the waterfront, too). <\/span>If you fancy a little less walking, pop into the Berwick Barracks to learn more about its turbulent past and the history of this region. Interestingly, it\u2019s the oldest barracks in all of Britain.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finally, if you\u2019re hankering for some grub, grab a table at Audela, a warm and yummy spot that\u2019s located on Bridge Street. <\/span>Honestly, their crab and smoked haddock risotto is so tasty (and I\u2019m not even the biggest fan of risotto). <\/span><\/p>\n

5.) <\/b>Beverley<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Founded way back around 700 AD (by Saint John of Beverley), this town\u2019s name was not only the inspiration for Beverly, Massachusetts, many centuries later, too. <\/span>Now, one of the town\u2019s most famous landmarks and attractions is Beverley Minster, an incredible and imposing Gothic place of worship that remains one of the biggest parish churches in all of Britain. <\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, if you happen to find yourself in Beverley either on a Wednesday or Saturday, make it a point to explore the open-air markets that sell everything from local produce to snazzy little gifts and second-hand books. It\u2019s one of the best places in the East of England to explore if you love history.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Prettiest places in England to explore<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

6.) Durham<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Durham is a gorgeous city that\u2019s perched in the northeast of England. As soon as you arrive, you\u2019ll quickly notice the stunning cathedral and castle that seem to dominate this pretty small city. <\/span><\/p>\n

Once here, make sure to take some time to explore the city\u2019s open-air museum, which is perfect on a sunny day. Oh yeah, and you obviously can\u2019t miss Durham Castle, which has many centuries of history to explore.<\/span><\/p>\n

For a tasty bite to eat, pop into Uno Momento, which will serve you up a feast of Italian dishes that will fill you up in no time at all. Just make sure to reserve a table if you want to visit on the weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Prettiest places in England to explore<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

7.) Windsor<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Just west of London, Windsor<\/a> is a town that\u2019s steeped in history, especially with the grand Windsor Castle<\/a> that\u2019s almost 1,000 years old (although it has been remodelled quite a few times). <\/span>After exploring the grounds and rooms within the royal palace, make sure to take a wander around the streets, hop on a boat across the river or head across to Eaton, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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For a stunning hotel<\/a> on the outskirts of Windsor, check into Fairmont Windsor Park<\/a>. It’s a mere 10 minutes from the centre of Windsor by car, and it’s within the most stunning estate. It’s a literal oasis. We loved staying here, especially for their gorgeous restaurant and luxe rooms<\/a>. Such a treat! <\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Windsor<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/div>\n

8.) Embleton<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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The small village of Embleton might not be the biggest place to visit, but trust me, it packs a hefty punch when it comes to a gorgeous and relaxing place to stop for the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

This is especially true as it\u2019s only a few short miles from the unspoilt coast of Northumberland<\/a>. It\u2019s a lovely little spot to visit when in Northumberland, especially if you want to visit Embleton Bay and its gorgeous beaches. <\/span><\/p>\n

9.) Lewes<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Now, Lewes is probably most well-known for its autumn bonfire festivals, which take over the town, and it\u2019s amazing to see. This is incredible if you\u2019re visiting in autumn, as you can plan your trip around the festival date itself. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not only that, Lewes has ancient ruins of a priory that can easily be seen, too. Finally, and without getting into a massive history lesson, Lewes was the site of the 1264 Battle of Lewes, where King Henry III was defeated! <\/span><\/p>\n

Today, you can learn all about the history of the area by paying a visit to Lewes Castle and Museum. Oh yeah, and you can visit the home of Anne of Cleves, who was sent here to live by Henry VIII after he was properly tired of her romancing. Well, at least he didn\u2019t behead her!<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Prettiest places in England to explore<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

10.) Cambridge<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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So, Cambridge<\/a> is Yaya\u2019s old stomping ground for University and a place we both totally love. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s such a great city that\u2019s really easy to visit if you\u2019re already in London. After all, it only takes about 45 minutes on the train.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once here, make sure to take some time to explore the King\u2019s College Chapel (which is incredible), get yourself onto the river for a punting session and stop off at Fitzbillies for a tasty brunch.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It\u2019s easily one of the best places in the East of England to explore, especially as a day trip from London.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Cambridge<\/strong><\/a> <\/p>\n

11.) Newcastle<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Located on the River Tyne, Newcastle<\/a> has become a pretty cool city to visit for a short weekend break, especially if you want to explore a city in England that\u2019s quite different from the likes of London.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the last few decades, the city has transformed, especially around the River Tyne. Once here, make sure to explore the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, with its seasonal and permanent exhibitions that show local and international pieces of art.<\/span><\/p>\n

If that\u2019s not your thing, pop over to the Life Centre to learn all about, well\u2026 life! It\u2019s a great spot to visit on a rainy day or with kids, too.  <\/span><\/span>Oh, and make sure to explore Grainger Town, an area of Newcastle that\u2019s filled with Victorian buildings that are filled with lots of shopping spots and little cafes, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Finally, if you\u2019ve got time, take a little trip just outside the city to see the Angel of the North<\/em>, a towering art installation that overlooks the whole region and can be spotted from far away. It is one of the best places in the East of England to explore, especially if you love a little city break.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Newcastle<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

12.) Norwich<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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During the Middle Ages and throughout some of the more modern eras, Norwich<\/a> was the second-largest city (after London) in the entire United Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, it was a very important city, too. Honestly, Norwich is a mecca of historical heritage, and you\u2019ll easily find it one of the best places in the East of England to visit for this. <\/span>Hoarding a ton of gorgeous spots, like the medieval castles, cathedral and national monuments, it\u2019s a great place for a day or weekend trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Oh, and don\u2019t forget to pop into Grosvenor Fish Bar, it\u2019s one of my favourite chippies in all of England, and they serve the best fish and chips, which are always fresh and yummy. <\/span>Finally, Norwich is the only city in England that is located inside a National Park, so be sure to take some time to explore the outdoors if you\u2019re fancying a more chilled trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Best things to do in Norwich<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

13.) Rothbury<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Located on the River Coquet, this village is located outside of the hustle and bustle of some of the more famous of England’s cities to visit. This is a place where you go to relax and take in the beauty of the countryside. <\/span><\/p>\n

There are plentiful opportunities for biking or walking as well as a number of shops, inns and tea rooms on the High Street, while history buffs will want to visit the Cragside House, which was the first home ever to be powered by hydroelectricity! <\/span>Oh, and don’t forget to be on the lookout for Lordenshaws Prehistoric Rock, too. You’ll get to ramble all around the areas of the Simonside Hills that are just stunning. <\/p>\n

14.) Robin Hood’s Bay<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Nestled on the east coast of northern England, Robin Hood’s Bay<\/a> is a historic smuggler and fishing town that\u2019s picturesque. Built between the hills and the sea, the town was often cut off from the rest of England many hundreds of years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

This meant that the only way to get here was by boat, which smugglers used to their advantage! Apparently, there are still tunnels that the smugglers would use to bring in the contraband items. <\/span>Nowadays, you don\u2019t need to worry about smugglers, and you can easily pop over to Robin Hood’s Bay after visiting Whitby. After all, it\u2019s only about 20-30 minutes away.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once here, take a stroll around the town, pop into the local pubs for a pint and hop into the Old Post Office that\u2019s now an independent cafe called Tea, Toast & Post <\/em>(Google Maps pin<\/a>), serving up massive sandwiches and piping hot soups.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Exploring Robin Hood’s Bay<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

1<\/span><\/b><\/span>5.) London<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Of course, I couldn\u2019t forget to mention London<\/a> when looking for some of the best places in the East of England to visit. <\/span><\/p>\n

Obviously, the city needs little introduction, especially with its beautiful palaces<\/a> and diverse areas<\/a> to explore, like Camden<\/a> and all the cool markets<\/a> across the different neighbourhoods.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Without delving into a whole post on London, I thought it best to share a link to our bumper list of posts on everything in London that\u2019ll help you plan your trip.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Best areas in London to visit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

16.) Holy Island<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

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Another little spot in Northumberland, Holy Island<\/a>, is a tidal island that is linked to Great Britain at certain points of the day. <\/span>This all means you can drive across during designated times and explore the island itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once here, head across to visit Lindisfarne Castle and explore the priory that sits on the other end of the island. <\/span>Oh yeah, and make sure to taste some Holy Island Mead that the monks used to make on the island itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

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After making it back to the mainland, take a tour of the nearby Bamburgh Castle<\/a>, which is idyllic. Oh, and there\u2019s a yummy spot to grab some great seafood called the Potted Lobster<\/a>. It\u2019s totally lip-smacking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more: Prettiest places in England to explore<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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20 Prettiest and Best Places to Visit in England (Ultimate Travel Guide)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n