Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Brightlingsea

29 St Mary's Street, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4HF, Tel: 01353 662062

Visit the former Lord Protector’s family home. Experience what domestic life would have been like in the 17th Century in a variety of re-created period rooms as well an exhibition detailing the Civil War.

Tolhouse Street, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 2SH, Tel: 01493 858900

Visit one of the UK's oldest gaols, dating back to the 12th century. See the original cells and discover the fate of the thieves, smugglers, witches, pirates and murderers who were confined here.

Harwich Road, Wrabness, Essex, CO12 5ND, Tel: 01473 328006

Estuarine nature reserve, with adjacent woodland & views over the Stour. Famed for large numbers of waterfowl in winter & a range of breeding woodland birds in summer, including the nightingale. Easy walking distance from Wrabness Station.

Mill Close, Burwell, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB25 0HL, Tel: 01638 605544

A local rural history museum depicting life through the centuries on the edge of the Cambridgeshire fens. The site includes an early 19th century windmill.

Helmingham Events Office, Helmingham, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 6EF, Tel: 01473 890799

A moated and walled garden with many rare roses and possibly the best kitchen garden in Britain. With a new rose garden and herb and knot garden created in the early 1980's.

Beach Road, Hemsby, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR29 4HS, Tel: 01493 731500

A stunning, dinosaur themed minigolf course. Nine holes of family fun, and why not try your hand at ‘panning for gold’ while you’re here! Floodlit at dusk.

46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EU, Tel: 01787 372958

Gainsborough’s House is the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough RA and shows an outstanding collection of his work. A varied programme of temporary exhibitions is also on show throughout the year. Gift, coffee shop and garden.

Pier Gardens, Gorleston-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 6PP, Tel: 01493 662832

The Gorleston Pavilion is an original Edwardian seaside Theatre situated on the East coast of Norfolk and offers unique seating at cabaret style candle-lit tables.

Stow Estate Trust, Home Farm, Stow Bardolph, Norfolk, PE34 3HT, Tel: 01366 382162

Farm fun for all the family - whatever the weather. Rare breed animals, tea room & gift shop.

Pound Corner, Easton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 0EQ, Tel: 01728 746475

Award winning farm park set in 35 acres of beautiful Suffolk scenery. We offer a daily activities programme for the children including pony, pony and cart and train rides as well as the opportunity to meet some of our animals.

Orford, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 2ND, Tel: 0870 333 1181

Discover one of England’s most complete and unusual keeps at this fascinating attraction. The polygonal tower keep stands beside the pretty town and former port which Henry II also developed here.

Jerwood DanceHouse, Foundry Lane, IP4 1DW, Tel: 01473 433100

DanceEast, based at the beautiful Jerwood DanceHouse on the Ipswich waterfront, brings the best dance performances to East Anglia. There is also a full programme of dance classes and workshops for everyone to enjoy.

C/O RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve, Westleton, Suffolk, IP17 3BY, Tel: 01728 648281

This delightful nature reserve is superb for wildfowl in winter, butterflies and dragonflies in summer, and breeding marsh harriers, nightingales and bitterns.

Farmers Avenue, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3JU, Tel: 01603 493625

One of the city’s most famous landmarks, Norwich Castle was built by the Normans as a Royal Palace 900 years ago. Now a museum and art gallery, it is home to some of the most outstanding collections of fine art.

Church Road, Sutton, Nr Stalham, NR12 9SG, Tel: 01692 580595

'Open Studio' displaying large range of wheel made practical and decorative stoneware. Pre booked tuition undertaken. Visitors welcome all through the year.

The Visitor Centre, New Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, Essex, RM19 1SZ, Tel: 01708 899840

RSPB Rainham Marshes is a unique nature reserve which has been restored to a grazing marshland following 100 years of use as a MoD shooting range.

c/o RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, Westleton, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3BY, Tel: 01728 648281

Avoid the crowds and enjoy superb views across the Alde Estuary on this remote Suffolk heathland, surrounded by fantastic wildlife.

Lynford, Thetford, Norfolk, IP26 5DE, Tel: 0870 333 1181

Grime’s Graves is the only Neolithic flint mine open to visitors in Britain. This grassy lunar landscape of 400 pits was first named Grime’s Graves by the Anglo-Saxons.