East Anglia Wildlife & Archaeology

1 departure

17 June 2024

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8 days

From $5,140

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Summary

From the Broads to Sutton Hoo

With its long coastline and rivers draining into the North Sea, East Anglia was a kingdom particularly suited to maritime communication, and an almost island-like territory itself on England’s east coast. Famous for its vast flatlands punctuated by the occasional spire or windmill, its sweeping views, long beaches and abundant wildlife, we discover some of the area’s many delights from the watery Broads to the royal burial grounds at Sutton Hoo.

Tour highlights:

Explore Sutton Hoo, one of Britain’s richest archaeological finds
Discover the unique flora and fauna of Europe’s most important wetlands
Investigate Binham Priory, a hidden gem in a quiet corner of North Norfolk

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Today's Price
$5,140

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Deposit: $750 Single supplement: $895

Meet your Experts

Oliver Gilkes

Andante Guide Lecturer

Oliver is an archaeologist of eclectic experience. Currently he works as a freelance consulting archaeologist, and provides advice for Andante Travels on designing as well as leading a number of tour groups.

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Your itinerary

Day 1 - Norwich

We meet at our hotel in Norwich before an introductory talk and dinner together as a group.

Meals included	Dinner

Day 2 - Norwich

Today we explore Norwich, once one of the wealthiest provincial medieval cities outside of London. Its important stature was reflected in architectural extravagance, examples of which can still be seen today. We will visit the Cathedral, a magnificent Norman structure which has dominated the Norwich skyline for the last 900 years and its equally solid Castle which now incorporates the city museum.

Meals included	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Blakeney Point

Today we visit to Blakeney Point, a sand and shingle spit with dunes, salt marshes and tidal mudflats. Designated a Site of Scientific Interest, well known for its thriving seal colonies and abundant bird life, there is plenty of wildlife to see all year round. In the afternoon we will visit Binham Priory, once a wealthy Benedictine monastery.

Meals included	Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Hickling Broad & Caistor on Sea

A day in the Norfolk Broads. This watery jigsaw of rivers, meres and dykes originated in the 10th century when peat was discovered, and pits were dug to collect the fossil fuel. We will visit Hickling Broad nature reserve which supports a high percentage of the UK’s population of common crane as well as numbers of bittern, barn owls, red deer and otters. This afternoon we head south to Caistor on Sea to visit a 2^nd Century Roman fort, and its replacement at Burgh Castle.

Meals included	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Kings Lynn & Grimes Graves

We spend the morning in Kings Lynn having a walking tour of its s historic centre and visit Lynn Museum to see “Sea henge”. After an independent lunch we make our way to Grimes Graves, an area of chalky grassland dimpled with over 430 prehistoric flint mine pits. Later we head to Bury St. Edmunds for the remainder of our tour.

Meals included	Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Bury St. Edmunds

We spend this morning exploring Bury St. Edmunds, including St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, the abbey gardens and St. Mary’s Church. This afternoon we visit West Stow Anglo Saxon Village, to see its reconstructed buildings and its on site museum.

Meals included	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 - Sutton Hoo

We spend the morning at the burial complex at Sutton Hoo, one of the most significant sites in English archaeology. We continue to the seaside town of Aldeburgh, inspiration for many artists and writers from Turner to Wilkie Collins.