We've always known our home region was special, but now the secret's out - East Anglia has just been named one of Lonely Planet's top 10 regions to visit in 2025!
And not just that - we're the only UK destination to make their prestigious 2025 Best in Travel list! As local adventurers who've spent years exploring the hidden corners of this remarkable (but underappreciated) region, we couldn't be more excited to share why East Anglia deserves this global recognition, and how you can experience it in the most authentic way possible - with a LandyCamper adventure!
What Makes East Anglia So Special?
Lonely Planet's Vice President Tom Hall describes our region as "a sampling platter of old England, without the usual tourist trinkets", and we couldn't agree more. But what exactly caught the eye of the world's leading travel authority? It's the unique combination of unexpectedly arty wool towns, wild beaches where seals outnumber people, and bird reserves where you might spot a marsh harrier soaring over medieval church spires.
What really excites us is how this recognition aligns perfectly with our own values. Lonely Planet chose destinations based on their commitment to sustainability, community, and diversity - principles that have guided our LandyCamper adventures from day one. We've always believed that the best way to explore East Anglia is slowly and mindfully, getting off the beaten track to discover those special places that mass tourism hasn't touched.
Experience East Anglia Like a Local
While Lonely Planet highlights celebrated spots like Minsmere and Cley Marshes, we want to share how to experience these places (and many more hidden gems) in a way most visitors never will. After years of exploration, we've discovered that the real magic of East Anglia lies in those moments between the famous attractions - the misty morning walk through silent marshes, the surprise encounter with a barn owl at dusk, or the perfect sunset spot that you'll swear was arranged just for you.
With a LandyCamper as your base, you can:
Wake up to sunrise over the marshes in your rooftop tent, with nothing but the call of curlews for company
Access off-grid camping spots near prime birdwatching locations, perfectly positioned for dawn chorus
Follow the coastal route from King's Lynn to Cromer at your own pace, stopping wherever catches your eye
Stay in places most traditional campers can't reach, from forest clearings to coastal meadows
Create your own adventure, combining Lonely Planet's highlights with our local secret spots.
Our Top East Anglian Gems for 2025
The Norfolk Coast Path & Holkham
Lonely Planet recommends exploring the area between King's Lynn and Cromer, but we'll let you in on how to do it properly. Base yourself at The Norfolk Brickyard near Holkham Hall, where ancient woodland camping meets aristocratic splendour. By day, explore Holkham's vast halls and deer park; by night, retreat to your secluded pitch where the only illumination comes from your campfire and the stars above.
Local Tip: Time your visit for early winter to witness what Lonely Planet missed - the spectacular migration of hundreds of thousands of geese and swans. There's nothing quite like waking up in your rooftop tent to the sound of pink-footed geese flying overhead in perfect V-formation.
Suffolk's Hidden Wool Towns
While tourists flock to Lavenham's famous Crooked House (and yes, it's worth seeing), we know the real joy lies in exploring the lesser-known wool towns. Picture yourself parking your LandyCamper in a centuries-old market square, walking cobbled streets that wool merchants traversed 500 years ago, then retreating to a secret woodland camp spot where you can sit by the fire and imagine those same merchants passing by on their way to market.
Aldeburgh & Thorpeness: A Tale of Two Coastal Gems
Aldeburgh might be famous for its fish and chips (Sole Bay Fish Company, by the way - you're welcome!), but there's so much more to discover here. Park your LandyCamper at one of our favourite spots just outside town, and you're perfectly positioned to explore both Aldeburgh's cultural heritage and Thorpeness's whimsical charm. Start your day with a swim in the sea followed by breakfast on Aldeburgh's shingle beach, then walk the coastal path to Thorpeness, where the House in the Clouds and Peter Pan's Meare offer a slice of Suffolk whimsy that feels frozen in time.
Local Tip: Time your visit for the Aldeburgh Festival in June, when world-class classical music meets Suffolk's natural acoustics. There's nothing quite like returning to your campsite after an evening concert, the music still ringing in your ears as you watch the stars appear over the North Sea.
Dedham Vale: Constable Country
This is where art meets adventure in the most spectacular way. The landscapes that inspired John Constable remain remarkably unchanged, and there's no better way to explore them than with a LandyCamper as your base. Set up camp at Rushbanks Farm Campsite, nestled right in the heart of the Vale, and you're perfectly positioned for both culture and adventure.
Morning might find you paddling a canoe down the River Stour, retracing Constable's footsteps past Flatford Mill, while afternoon could see you hiking through meadows that look exactly as they did in his paintings. As evening falls, retreat to your rooftop tent, positioned perfectly for sunset views across the valley that inspired some of Britain's greatest artwork.
Local Tip: Visit Dedham Vale in early morning or late evening when the light is at its most "painterly". The mist rising off the Stour creates scenes that Constable himself would have rushed to capture.
RSPB Minsmere: Suffolk's Wildlife Haven
One of Lonely Planet's highlighted spots, but we know how to experience it differently. Base yourself at one of our secret camping spots nearby, and you'll be first on site for dawn chorus and rare bird sightings. The reserve is home to some of Britain's rarest species, from avocets to bitterns, but it's the dawn and dusk experiences that really set it apart.
Imagine waking up in your rooftop tent to the sound of marsh harriers calling, or watching the sun set over the reedbeds while marsh harriers perform their spectacular sky-dance. Our LandyCampers are perfectly equipped for wildlife watching, with elevated viewing positions and the ability to access the quieter corners of this remarkable landscape.
Pro Tip: Pack your binoculars and visit in early spring when the bitterns are booming - one of nature's most extraordinary sounds, and something you'll never forget.
Norwich & The Broads: Culture Meets Nature
Norwich isn't just Norfolk's capital - Lonely Planet calls it the county's "cultured capital," and they're spot on. But why choose between city and nature when you can have both? Park your LandyCamper at one of our favourite spots in the Broads, and you're perfectly positioned to combine Norwich's thriving arts scene with the tranquility of Britain's magical water-land.
Spend your morning exploring Norwich's medieval lanes and magnificent cathedral, then escape to the Broads for an afternoon of wildlife watching or paddle boarding. As night falls, you might catch some live music in the city before returning to your peaceful campsite under the stars - the perfect blend of culture and adventure.
Incidentally, we're very much NOT against the pedestrianisation of the city centre ;)
The Secret Seasons of East Anglia
Following Lonely Planet's insider advice about visiting outside peak season, here's our guide to year-round adventures. After all, some of East Anglia's most magical moments happen when most tourists have gone home.
Winter (December-February)
This is when East Anglia truly shows its wild side. While summer tourists have long departed, nature puts on an extraordinary show:
Watch grey seal pups at Blakeney Point and Horsey Gap
Experience the spectacle of thousands of pink-footed geese arriving at dawn
Enjoy crowd-free walks on vast beaches
Cosy up in historic pubs after a day's exploration in your LandyCamper
Spring (March-May)
As the region wakes from winter, you'll find:
Ancient woodlands carpeted with bluebells
Market towns coming alive with festivals and food markets
Perfect conditions for coastal walks and wildlife spotting
Sunrise and sunset at their most photogenic
First chance to swim in the sea (if you're brave!)
Summer (June-August)
Peak season brings the best weather and biggest events:
Aldeburgh Festival fills the coast with world-class music
Latitude Festival transforms Henham Park
Long daylight hours perfect for extended adventures
Warm evenings ideal for campfire cooking and stargazing
Autumn (September-November)
Perhaps our favourite season for LandyCamper adventures:
Harvest time brings fantastic local produce
Perfect temperatures for hiking and cycling
Beautiful golden light for photography
Quiet campsites with prime spots available
Amazing seasonal food festivals
Make 2025 Your Year of Discovery
With East Anglia now in the global spotlight, we're expecting unprecedented interest in our LandyCamper adventures.
Early booking for 2025 means:
Securing prime camping spots near key locations before the Lonely Planet effect takes hold
Current 2024 rates locked in
Access to our insider guides and local knowledge, including our secret camping spots
Flexible pickup and drop off dates and times
Ready to discover why East Anglia captured Lonely Planet's imagination?
Book your 2025 LandyCamper adventure now and explore this remarkable region the way it deserves to be seen - slowly, sustainably, and with plenty of stories to tell.
Comentarios