Suffolk

If you’re looking to disconnect from all the stresses and strains of everyday life, Suffolk is a tranquil gift. You’re expected to unwind here, and with so much natural beauty bordered by 50 magnificent miles of coastline (not to mention a relaxed selection of unusual places to stay), you won’t find it difficult.

Suffolk is also a sanctuary for creative types, full of charming villages and medieval towns just brimming with inspiration. Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Gainsborough in Sudbury or wander wistfully through Constable Country, while the Theatre Royal at Bury St Edmunds is a captivating setting for theatre lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

Of course, you could always simply laze by the beach along the mesmerising Suffolk Coast instead, a wildlife-strewn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (don’t forget that camera!) Or if you’ve always fancied learning how to sail, visit the Shotley Peninsula, set between the Orwell and the Stour rivers.  Walking is exceptionally scenic here, too.

Historic Ipswich is lined with waterfront cafes and galleries, and 19th century Old Custom House is a fascinating shrine to the city’s maritime past.  Meanwhile, Newmarket is the home of British horseracing, and an absolute must-visit for lovers of the sport of kings.

It’s hard to believe that such a beautifully laid-back setting exists so close to the city hubbub of London – yet that just makes Suffolk even more of an accessible, convenient and tempting location to return to again and again!