Beautiful Villages in East Anglia
Lovely villages and hamlets in Norfolk and Suffolk
See the Beautiful English Villages Index
The Hoste Arms, Burnham Market
Burnham Market, Norfolk
Close to the North Norfolk coast, Burnham Market is a comparative youngster in historic terms, having developed primarily through the Georgian period. Map
Places to stay: The Hoste Arms is a fine 17th century coaching inn with connections to Lord Nelson, while Vine House Boutique Hotel offers seven Georgian-style guest rooms. See our specific page devoted to the Hoste Arms
Close to the North Norfolk coast, Burnham Market is a comparative youngster in historic terms, having developed primarily through the Georgian period. Map
Places to stay: The Hoste Arms is a fine 17th century coaching inn with connections to Lord Nelson, while Vine House Boutique Hotel offers seven Georgian-style guest rooms. See our specific page devoted to the Hoste Arms
Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk
Less than a mile from Burnham Market (see above), this waterside hamlet was once the stamping ground of a young Horatio Nelson (born in nearby Burnham Thorpe). Map
Places to stay: For heritage accommodation, see Burnham Market.
Less than a mile from Burnham Market (see above), this waterside hamlet was once the stamping ground of a young Horatio Nelson (born in nearby Burnham Thorpe). Map
Places to stay: For heritage accommodation, see Burnham Market.
The Ostrich, Castle Acre
Castle Acre, Norfolk
Famed for the ruins of its castle and priory (both English Heritage), this picturesque Norfolk village is an historic delight in its own right. It possesses an array of listed buildings from various eras, including private cottages, church and the ‘Bailey Gate’. Map
Places to stay: The Ostrich is a classic 16th century coaching inn within Castle Acre, while nearby Swaffham is home to Lydney House and the part-16th century George Hotel – see Swaffham’s entry at Booking.com
Famed for the ruins of its castle and priory (both English Heritage), this picturesque Norfolk village is an historic delight in its own right. It possesses an array of listed buildings from various eras, including private cottages, church and the ‘Bailey Gate’. Map
Places to stay: The Ostrich is a classic 16th century coaching inn within Castle Acre, while nearby Swaffham is home to Lydney House and the part-16th century George Hotel – see Swaffham’s entry at Booking.com
Hingham, Norfolk
Many of its attractive buildings may date from the Georgian period (when it was sometimes referred to as ‘Little London’) but Hingham’s history runs far deeper than that which is visible to the eye. Indeed, the village is the ancestral home of Abraham Lincoln’s family, with his forbear, Samuel Lincoln, amongst a group of Puritans who sailed to America during the early 1600’s. Map
Places to stay: We are unaware of any period accommodation within Hingham itself, but Sherbourne House in Attleborough dates from 1740 and is only around 10 minutes drive away.
Many of its attractive buildings may date from the Georgian period (when it was sometimes referred to as ‘Little London’) but Hingham’s history runs far deeper than that which is visible to the eye. Indeed, the village is the ancestral home of Abraham Lincoln’s family, with his forbear, Samuel Lincoln, amongst a group of Puritans who sailed to America during the early 1600’s. Map
Places to stay: We are unaware of any period accommodation within Hingham itself, but Sherbourne House in Attleborough dates from 1740 and is only around 10 minutes drive away.
The George, Cavendish
Cavendish, Suffolk
The term ‘chocolate box village’ might be considered an insult by some, but in describing Cavendish it is anything but. With an ancient village green, beautiful church, and cottages any estate agent would give their left arm to market, it certainly ranks as one of the most picturesque in East Anglia. Map
Places to stay: The George is a 600-year-old inn located close to the centre of the village - see TripAdvisor. Nearby Long Melford offers several other options that might interest the heritage-traveller. The Bull is a striking half-timbered house dating from around 1450; The Black Lion an early Georgian inn; and The Crown a traditional pub that dates from 1610. See the entry for Long Melford at Booking.com for further details.
The term ‘chocolate box village’ might be considered an insult by some, but in describing Cavendish it is anything but. With an ancient village green, beautiful church, and cottages any estate agent would give their left arm to market, it certainly ranks as one of the most picturesque in East Anglia. Map
Places to stay: The George is a 600-year-old inn located close to the centre of the village - see TripAdvisor. Nearby Long Melford offers several other options that might interest the heritage-traveller. The Bull is a striking half-timbered house dating from around 1450; The Black Lion an early Georgian inn; and The Crown a traditional pub that dates from 1610. See the entry for Long Melford at Booking.com for further details.
The Swan, Lavenham
Lavenham, Suffolk
Once one of the most prosperous towns in the whole of England, Lavenham is undoubtedly an architectural treasure trove, full of ancient timber frame houses. This extraordinary medieval village boasts over 300 buildings of listed status including the renowned Church of St Peter and St Paul. A true piece of living English heritage.
Places to stay: Lavenham possesses so many historic inns and hotels that the heritage traveller is almost spoilt for choice. Dating from the 15th century The Swan is arguably the most famous, while The Angel was first licensed in 1420. Also worth noting is the highly-rated Lavenham Old Rectory on the outskirts of the village, and Lavenham Priory which is a Grade-I listed 13th century building of extraordinary heritage.
Once one of the most prosperous towns in the whole of England, Lavenham is undoubtedly an architectural treasure trove, full of ancient timber frame houses. This extraordinary medieval village boasts over 300 buildings of listed status including the renowned Church of St Peter and St Paul. A true piece of living English heritage.
Places to stay: Lavenham possesses so many historic inns and hotels that the heritage traveller is almost spoilt for choice. Dating from the 15th century The Swan is arguably the most famous, while The Angel was first licensed in 1420. Also worth noting is the highly-rated Lavenham Old Rectory on the outskirts of the village, and Lavenham Priory which is a Grade-I listed 13th century building of extraordinary heritage.