The 21 best places to visit in the East of England

The house is warm brick and cool flint and you get to it across a lovely little brick bridge. You are crossing a moat that has gone all the way round since 12th-century…

The house is Tudor, built c.1538 by a courtier who had got rich in the service of Henry VIII’s illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy. It was in decline before Gerald Gosselin from Bengeo Hall in Herts restored it in 1900.

Steeped in history, Holkham Hall on the north Norfolk coast has the perfect setting; surrounded by rolling parkland, rich in wildlife. This magnificent 18th-century Palladian hall is home is to the Earls of Leicester and the family takes great pride in sharing the house and its treasures with visitors.

The state rooms offer superb collections of ancient statuary, original furniture, tapestries and paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck, Gaspar Poussin and Gainsborough.

Houghton Hall is one of the grandest survivors of the Palladian era, built in the 1720s for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Sir Robert Walpole.

It is a showcase of the work of architects James Gibbs and Colen Campbell complemented by the richly ornamented interiors of William Kent, and furnished to reflect Walpole’s wealth and power. The Hall is currently the home of the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, Walpole’s descendent, and his family.

Hoveton Hall Gardens is a must-visit whatever the season. Enjoy a visit to the gardens in early spring when the grounds are carpeted with many different varieties of snowdrops and daffodils.

May and June see the azaleas and rhododendrons take centre stage – an amazing collection of colour which has been described as one of the best displays in Norfolk.

The gardens feature roses, especially classic varieties, themed borders, a ruined church, Victorian follies, wildflower meadow, birdhide and arboretum.

Visits to the gardens are free to Historic Houses members. Tours of the Hall are available through Invitation to View.

Raveningham Hall is the Grade II* listed home of Sir Nicholas Bacon Bt OBE DL and his family. The Bacons have been at Raveningham since 1735, today the site comprises 10 acres of gardens and a 5,500 acre rural estate.

Raveningham Gardens, like many others is the work of one person – Sir Nicholas’s mother, Priscilla Bacon. She lived here for 50 years and in that time greatly enlarged the garden, creating magnificent herbaceous borders.

Sandringham House, the Norfolk country retreat of Her Majesty the Queen, is set in 60 acres of beautiful gardens and open daily April until the end of October.

Enjoy the main rooms of the magnificent House, explore the fascinating museum with extensive Royal car collection, the charming parish church, 600 acres of Country Park, playground , waymarked trails, Restaurant, Tearoom and Gift Shop.

Stody Lodge Gardens bursts into spectacular colour each spring thanks to its collection of over 200 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas.

Spread over 14-acres, its avenues and winding pathways are also lined with magnolias, camellias, mature and specimen trees and carpets of spring bulbs. There is also magnificent yew hedging and expansive lawns to enjoy.

Walsingham Abbey is famous for the spectacular remains of the mediaeval Priory and place of pilgrimage, destroyed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

The Grounds are also renowned for snowdrops filling the woodland garden in February. Both bring visitors from all over the world, all year round.