Tour Ref: EA4/1
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Come and join us for a rural meander around the East of England. This holiday is designed to be at a relaxed pace as life is out here in East Anglia. Our “angle” is that we know the best for 4 days of country delights…we’ll even take you to the sea-side. Well, estuary-side really!
We meet at Ipswich Station around lunchtime, and travel into the suburbs for a private opening of the Ipswich Transport Museum. Then, its down to Colchester, where you can check-in, and then spend the rest of the afternoon at Colchester Castle. This place is a museum dedicated to the cities rich history from Roman times to the modern day.
A big southern circular is in store today. This morning we are heading for trains and heritage buses in the forest…Epping Forest that is. The Epping Ongar Railway is possibly unique in that there is a timetabled bus service integrated with the trains. Then we sidle across to Southend for a 1.33 miles long ride on the modern pier railway. On we go, and our afternoon destination is the Mangapps Farm Railway and Museum at Burnham on Crouch.
A circular tour of local attractions starts at the Colne Valley Railway for model, miniature and standard gauge. We then loop around to Clare, a lovely town, complete with ruined castle and restored ex-railway station. On then to Sudbury, to catch the branch line to Chappel & Wakes Colne. Here we find the East Anglian Railway Museum. An extensive, and refurbished, site with much to see and a train ride to enjoy. Time aplenty is allowed before catching a train back via Marks Tey.
We kick off with a branch line rail journey to Harwich. Here it’s time to find our sea legs (well, river legs really!!) as a two-hour boat trip on the Orwell Lady awaits. Lunch is included as we make our way up the river into Ipswich. Homeward bound trains leave Ipswich Station early afternoon.
This fine hotel has graced the centre of England’s oldest recorded town for over 500 years. It boasts a stylish bar, lounge and restaurant where all our meals will be taken. Accommodation is split between the main hotel building and the sister hotel, over the road, which is purely bedrooms, and both are of an equal standard in that respect.
Special note: The original building does not have a lift. If you have any mobility issues you should request accommodation in the sister hotel.
