the counties of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire & Northamptonshire
Cambridge – University city
England’s second, but arguably most beautiful University city. The thirty five Colleges have produced many famous graduates, from Sir Isaac Newton to Prince Charles. The soaring majesty of King’s College Chapel is one of the architectural marvels of Britain. The Fitzwilliam Museum has a world class collection that would be a credit to any National Gallery. If time permits, maybe take a punt out on the river Cam to view the colleges from “The Backs”.
Combines well with: Hatfield House, Duxford, Madingley, Ely
Woburn Abbey – Duke’s Treasure House
Home to the Dukes of Bedford (the Russell Family) the house boasts some fine furniture and paintings with a collection of Canalettos to rival that of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The 3000 acre grounds are also host to ten species of deer, including the Pere David, descended from the Imperial herd of China and saved from extinction by breeding at Woburn. The Antiques centre has over 40 dealers displaying their wares behind Georgian shop fronts. Drive through safari park – Africa in Bedfordshire!
Combines well with: Hatfield House, Bletchley Park, St Albans, Althorp
Hatfield House – Elizabethan & Jacobean jewel
Glorious house in a 1000 acre estate, where in 1558 young Princess Elizabeth learned of the death of her half-sister Mary; consequently she had become Queen Elizabeth I. “It is most glorious in our eyes” she said. Fabulous early furniture and paintings – including the famous Rainbow portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. A must-see for Tudor fans.
Combines well with: Woburn Abbey, Bletchley Park, St Albans, Althorp
Bletchley Park – birthplace of computers
“Where the geese laid the golden eggs and never cackled” (Churchill). Nerve centre of the breaking of the Enigma code in World War Two and birthplace of modern computer programming. Saved from demolition by enthusiasts and volunteers, this special place is still developing and deserves support!
Combines well with: Hatfield House, St Albans, Althorp, Cambridge
Althorp – Diana’s grave
Ancestral home and final resting place of Diana, Princess of Wales. Only open in July & August – pre-booking essential. N.B. Diana’s grave is set on an island to which there is NO public access. The stableblock is the setting for an exhibition celebrating Diana’s life. The Spencer family have lived here for nearly 500 years and the house contains a fascinating collection of paintings, furniture and ceramics acquired over that time.
Combines well with: Hatfield House, Bletchley Park, St Albans, Woburn
Constable Country – English countryside & antiques
Beautiful countryside that inspired two of England’s finest landscape painters – John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. The neighbouring counties of Suffolk & Essex are a popular area for dealers to source antiques.
Combines well with: Cambridge, Duxford
Duxford – aircraft and warfare
The Imperial War Museum’s airbase with masses of military and civilian craft, including an original Concorde. Visit the American Air Museum with the finest collection of American combat aircraft outside the USA. Visit the Working Museum to see aircraft being restored. In Hangar 4, The Battle of Britain exhibition tells the story of Britain “finest hour” and “The Few”. On certain days in the summer aircraft fly from the base, so it maybe possible to see Spitfires, Hurricanes, Messerschmitts, Mustangs & Zeros all in the air.
Combines well with: Cambridge, Madingley, Hatfield, Bletchley, RAF Hendon (London)
Madingley US cemetery – World War Two
The Cambridge American Cemetery at Madingley, 3 miles from Cambridge is one of only two US military cemeteries in Great Britain. The 30.5 acre site was a gift from the University of Cambridge. The cemetery contains the graves of 3,812 World War Two veterans, mostly victims of the Battle of the North Atlantic and in the strategic bombing of North West Europe. The Tablets of the Missing record the names of 5,127 whose remains were never recovered. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. Beautifully designed and impeccably maintained, it is a tranquil site and a place of sober reflection.
Combines well with: Cambridge, Duxford, Hatfield, Bletchley, RAF Hendon (London)
St Albans – Roman capital
Known as Verulamium, this was the Capital of Britannia during the Roman occupation and the only British city whose inhabitants had the right of Roman citizenship. The Romanesque Cathedral was built in the 11th century on the site of the martyrdom, in 287, of the first English saint, Alban.
Combines well with: Woburn, Hatfield House, Bletchley Park, Althorp
Sandringham – Royal retreat
Private personal retreat of the Royal Family set in a 600 acre estate, originally acquired by Edward VII when still Prince of Wales and maintained in the style of his time. All the Ground floor rooms used by the Royal Family, full of their treasured ornaments, portraits and furniture are open to the public. 120 miles from London – open mid April – late July & early August to late October.
Combines well with: Cambridge, Constable Country