Visit East of England

Other Activities

Enjoy the region's unique activities and experiences

Santa Pod Raceway (Podington, nr. Bedford) (image credit: Dave Jones) - North Norfolk Railway (Sheringham)

Speed Freaks

Enjoy the thrills and spills of motorsport. Book a
‘Track Day' at Bedford Autodrome or Snetterton
Circuit
(nr. Attleborough) - and you can explore your
own car's potential in a safe and controlled
environment, plus experience driving around some of
the UK's leading race circuits. Similarly Santa Pod
Raceway
 (Podington, nr. Bedford), the home of
European drag racing has ‘Run What Ya Brung
Days'
. If you are feeling really brave, then experience
a ride in their two-seater dragster - a ¼ mile at
170mph in around eight seconds. Bedford
Autodrome
offers the opportunity to master the iconic
Porsche 911, flat out on their high speed racing
circuit. Ready, get set, go... 

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Trains and Tanks

Turn back the clock... and enjoy the sights, sounds
and smells of a bygone age - as you take the
controls of a real steam train. Take a driving
experience at the Bure Valley Railway
(Aylsham/Wroxham), Colne Valley Railway (Castle
Hedingham), East Anglian Railway Museum (Wakes Colne, nr. Colchester), 
Mid-Suffolk Light Railway (Wetheringsett, nr. Stowmarket), Nene Valley
Railway
 (Peterborough) and the North Norfolk Railway (Sheringham).

Wildtracks (Kennett, nr. Newmarket) is the UK's only purpose-built off-road activity
park - whizz around the karting circuit and get really muddy on the quads. Take the
controls of a real tank at The Muckleburgh Collection (Weybourne,
nr. Sheringham) - and master the challenging terrain. Or why not test your skills
behind the wheel of a giant truck with Monster Events (Thurleigh, nr. Bedford).

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Swinging in the Trees

Swing through the trees and zip down to the ground at Go Ape (High Lodge Forest
Centre, nr. Brandon) - the award-winning high wire forest adventure course. Whilst
at Extreeme Adventure (Weasenham, nr. King's Lynn), dare you brave the 3G
swing with its g-force effect. Not sure you are up to the challenge - then try out our
junior version with the Crocklebogs and Twiggles at BeWILDerwood
(nr. Wroxham). A magical kingdom of tree houses, slides and winding pathways.

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Woburn Safari Park - BeWILDerwood (nr. Hoveton)

Animal Magic

Learn to fly hawks and owls at The English School of
Falconry: Bird of Prey and Conservation Centre
 (Old
Warden, nr. Biggleswade), The Raptor Foundation
(Woodhurst, nr.  Huntingdon) and the Suffolk Owl
Sanctuary
(Stonham Aspal, nr. Stowmarket). Go
walking in the woods and parkland of the Duke of
Bedford's country estate, with the majestic elephants
at Woburn Safari Park Become a ‘Keeper for a Day'
at Colchester Zoo and Africa Alive! (Kessingland,
nr. Lowestoft) - learn about reptiles, lions, lemurs,
giraffes and penquins. Get up close and personal,
and help with the feeding and mucking out. At
Paradise Wildlife Park (Broxbourne), you can
become a human climbing frame for the meerkats,
face your phobia with spiders and snakes, or even
hand feed the big cats.

Meet the gentle giants of the animal world - and
harness up for a wagon drive with the ‘Heavy Horse
Experience'
at Banham Zoo (nr. Diss). Then go on a
unique equine tour at the horseracing capital of the
world - Newmarket See the throughbreds at close
quarters and visit the horse's swimming pool.

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Alpine Treats

Get on the piste - and experience winter sports all year around. Try your hand at
skiing and snowboarding at our dry ski slopes: Brentwood, Ipswich, Norwich and
Welwyn Garden City Want to go ‘Dancing on Ice?' - then head to the ice-skating
centres
at Chelmsford and Peterborough, which both offer learn to skate courses.

Hot air balloons (image credit: www.britainonview.com)

For a more gentle aerial adventure, take a
hot air balloon flight - enjoy the
spectacular views and celebrate with
a glass of champagne

Imperial War Museum Duxford (nr. Cambridge) - Parachuting (image credit: www.britainonview.com/McCormick-McAdam) - Bodyflight (Bedford)

Aerial Adventures

Take to the skies in the East of England. Soar over
the Dunstable Downs with the London Gliding Club,
from gentle introduction flights to thrilling aerobatic
lessons. Classic Wings based at the Imperial War
Museum Duxford
(nr. Cambridge) has trips over the
University city aboard the nostalgic Dragon Rapide.
Alternatively, how about an exciting flight in the
cockpit of an historic Tiger Moth or Harvard?

For something a bit different, head to Bodyflight
(Bedford) - the world's largest indoor skydiving
facility. The centre offers a unique opportunity to go
'bodyflying'
- with vertical wind speeds reaching up to
170mph. Got a taste for the real thing? - then jump
out of an airplane from two miles above the East of
England's countryside with UK Parachuting For a
more gentle aerial adventure, take a hot air balloon
flight
- enjoy the spectacular views and celebrate with
a glass of champagne. Operators include:
Breckland Balloons, Broadland Balloons,
Countryside Balloons and Wizard Balloons

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Holkham (nr. Wells-next-the-Sea) - Golf (image credit: www.britainonview.com/Rod Edwards)

In the Saddle

Explore the East of England on horseback. Ride the
Peddars Way through the unique forest and heath
landscapes of The Brecks to the Norfolk coast. The
Marriott's Way follows the route of the former
Midland and Great Northern Railway Line starting in
Norwich; or head to the Marston Vale Millennium
Country Park
(Marston Moretaine, nr. Bedford) to
discover the circular horse trail. Easton Farm Park
(nr. Woodbridge) has award-winning off-road tracks
set in the Deben valley.

Riders can also enjoy free access in both Thetford
Forest
and Rendlesham Forest (nr. Woodbridge),
with a variety of bridleways and forest roads. Whilst in
Essex, several country parks welcome horseriders,
including Belhus Woods (South Ockendon), Great
Notley
and the Flitch Way (Braintree), Thorndon
(Brentwood) and Weald (South Weald). Don't miss a
bracing gallop along the sandy beach at Holkham
(nr. Wells-next-the-Sea). For further information on
riding routes, please visit The British Horse Society

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Tee Time

Tee off for an enjoyable and relaxing round of golf in the East of England. Choose
from a great selection of courses, featuring practice driving ranges and 'play and
play'. Several of our hotels are also home to courses too - with both professional
tuition and special golfing breaks available. Try Five Lakes (nr. Tiptree), Hanbury
Manor
(nr. Ware), Sprowston Manor (nr. Norwich), Hintlesham Hall (nr. Ipswich)
and The Stoke-by-Nayland Club (nr. Colchester).

Click here for our full listing of places to stay with golf courses on-site or nearby.

Motor racing - The National Stud (image credit: www.britainonview.com) - Go Ape (High Lodge Forest Centre, nr. Brandon)