Enjoyed your staycation this summer and want to do it all over again? Plan a short trip to the region’s bustling cities and towns with our pick of the best destinations for a festive or winter escape.
Weekend Breaks in Cambridge
Where to stay: The Hyatt Centric, located in the Eddington District, is a stunning hotel complete with a roof terrace. There are four dining options and an impressive fitness centre on site. Make your way out to see the sights on one of the hotel’s bicycles or electric scooters available to hire to make exploring easy. For more details and offers click here.
Eating out: Restaurant Twenty-Two serves contemporary British dishes using seasonal locally sourced ingredients. Every experience in this elegant Victorian-style dining room is special with a menu that changes daily based on what’s supplied by its Cambridgeshire partners. For something a little extra, why not indulge in the full tasting menu?
What to see: Take a whizz around the ice rink, stop for a drink at the ice bar or brave the ice slide at this year’s Cambridge’s North Pole pop up on Parker’s Piece until 3 January.
Something not to be missed: Explore the Christmas trail at Wimpole just outside the city from 26 November
to 2 January. The magical trail features spectacular light installations transporting you to a winter wonderland with a glimpse of Father Christmas. There are also some tempting food and drink stands to enjoy. Created by Culture Creative with Sony Music in partnership with the National Trust, tickets start from £14.
Discover more winter light trails
Trips to Colchester, Essex
Where to stay: GreyFriars is a stunning Michelin recommended, luxury hotel with superb restaurant and lounge bar, which opened in 2015. Situated at the top of East Hill, at the Eastern end of Colchester’s High Street, GreyFriars is perfectly located in the centre of Colchester’s Cultural Quarter and only a couple of minutes’ walk from the town centre.
The Cultural Quarter is home to Colchester Castle, the largest Norman keep in Europe, the Hollytrees Museum, the Natural History Museum, Colchester’s art galleries and the ruins of St. Botolph’s 12th century Priory. The town centre has a flagship Fenwick’s store and some great independent and artisan shops to explore.
The stylish rooms offer 5-star service and there are various dining options. The Baroque Bar serving delicious cocktails is not to be missed!
Eating out: The Church Street Tavern is a Michelin-star restaurant in a stunning townhouse with a rustic interior and artwork supplied from award-winning Essex artist Philippa Down. Owned by Piers Baker, who also renovated the award-winning The Sun Inn in Dedham, the downstairs bar has an extensive menu that includes rare breed burgers. In the light-filled dining room upstairs you can enjoy the a la carte menu including vegan options with one of an eclectic mix of cocktails. There are attractive rooms to stay in too.
What to see: The acclaimed gardener Beth Chatto created an informal garden next to her home in 1960. These five acres had been left empty for decades because of the poor gravelly soil and boggy hollows. Now transformed, the gardens are a textbook example of how to choose the right plant for the right conditions and there’s a nursery to buy plants as well as a lovely café for a relaxing break. Find out more.
Something not to be missed: Rediscover the real-life murder mystery, ‘The Ballard of Maria Marten’, one of Suffolk’s most haunting stories, at the Mercury Theatre in February 2022. This award-winning production will have you on the edge of your seat. Book your tickets.
Overnight Breaks in Bury St Edmunds
Where to stay: Book a room in the historic town centre at the cosy Angel Hotel, once a favourite of Charles Dickens while he worked as a journalist for the Morning Chronicle. You can even stay in room 215 or the Charles Dickens suite, decorated in true Victorian style. Prices start from £139 including a hearty breakfast.
Eating out: Home to Suffolk’s only Michelin star restaurant, Pea Porridge was opened by Justin Sharp and
his wife Jurga in 2009. The rustic style dining rooms feature exposed brickwork and the tasty nose to tail dishes on the menu change each day.
What to see: Stand amongst the ruins of the 11th century Abbey of St Edmunds set in the stunning Abbey Gardens and appreciate its beauty. Celebrating its 1000th anniversary, the space is beautiful, especially
on a frosty winter’s morning. The Abbey was one of the most important monasteries in medieval Europe but the whereabouts of St Edmunds still remains a mystery! Book a tour here.
Something not to be missed: Moyses’ Hall is home to a one-off art exhibition celebrating the world of Mary
Beale, one of the most successful portrait painters of the late 17th century and thought to be England’s first professional female painter. ‘Observations: The Mary Beale Collection’ will run until 30 January 2022. Entry from £3.
Winter Breaks in Norwich
Where to stay: Dunston Hall, built in 1859, is an Elizabethan-style mansion that’s been lovingly restored to all its former glory. Located a short distance from the city so you can get the best of Norfolk’s city and country life, stay in one of 166 bedrooms and experience the leisure facilities, including an indoor pool, steam room, whirlpool and gymnasium. You can enjoy a winter’s round of golf on the 18-hole championship-level course before eating in one of three dining areas including an outdoor terrace for sunny winter days.
Eating out: Admire the peaceful surroundings of the stunning Victorian St John the Baptist Cathedral, one
of the most impressive buildings in Norfolk, then have lunch in the pretty garden café – an annex to the cathedral – serving delicious hot and cold food, hot drinks and wine. Find out more.
What to see: The South Asia Collection Museum and Shop, otherwise known as Country & Eastern, located on Bethel Street is an old building that originally sold exotic imports from countries including Pakistan, Burma and China. Now it’s been transformed into an Aladdin’s cave selling beautiful furnishings such as oriental runs, bed linen, crafts and even kimonos! The museum has some fabulous exhibits form South East Asia to view.
Something not to be missed: Perfect for a winter’s night, go with one of the experienced guides at Ghost Walks Norwich on a journey through the most haunted areas of the city. Hear tales of the many lost spirits and poltergeists who are still seen and heard to this day. Walks start from outside the Adam & Eve Pub and last around 90 minutes.
Weekend trips to Hertford
Where to stay: Set in acres of idyllic Hertfordshire countryside, enjoy an overnight stay at The Manor of Groves Hotel that starts with a chilled glass of Prosecco and tasty nibbles before being shown to your comfortable room. You’ll have access to the hotel’s leisure facilities and your break includes a three-course meal in the Brasserie restaurant, breakfast and a fun three-hour gin tasting cruise on the River Lea. Soak up the views while discovering new ways to drink gin. Price £289 per person, email [email protected] for further details.
Eating out: The Millstream pub, Port Vale, is one of Hertford’s best- kept secrets. Peter and Nicky, the husband-and-wife team who run the pub, make sure this friendly venue serves up some of the tastiest food
in the region including daily specials and Sunday roasts. There’s a brewery on site with a great selection of real ales on pump and you can bring your dog to the gardens where they can choose from their own menu too.
What to see: Paradise Wildlife Park is a fun day out for all the family and has recently been awarded Hertfordshire’s best outside attraction by Trip Advisor. The zoo is home to over 800 animals including Amur tigers, snow leopards, European wolves as well as African penguins and many more. In 2020, the zoo launched their first TV series; CBBC’s One Zoo Three.
Something not to be missed: Visit Hertford Castle this winter as it hosts its first Christmas market within its spectacular grounds. Shopping includes homeware, crafts, jewellery, as well as festive food and drink to keep you toasty. Perfect for those who like to shop early, entry is free, but you’re encouraged to make a donation to the Mayor’s charity.
