County Tours

BEDFORDSHIRE
Starting point: Bedford. Duration: 3 days.

Day 1
Morning - Bedford (explore the Glenn Miller connections, or enjoy the gardens
along The Embankment).
Afternoon - Bedfordshire villages tour (Ickwell, Harrold, maybe stopping for a tour of The Swiss Garden or The Shuttleworth Collection in Old Warden).
Overnight - Bedford.

Day 2   
Morning - take a John Bunyan tour (Elstow and Harlington), or maybe a trip to the lovely Wrest Park Gardens at Silsoe.
Afternoon - Luton (enjoy great shopping).
Overnight - Luton.

Day 3   
Morning - Dunstable Downs (take a tour of this area of outstanding natural beauty).
Afternoon - Woburn (go on a wildlife safari, visit the 18th C. Palladian mansion,
or enjoy the antique shops in this Georgian town).

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CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Starting point: Cambridge. Duration: 3 days.

Day 1  
Morning and Afternoon - Cambridge (enjoy a walking guided tour, including King's College Chapel, visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, or take your group punting on the river). You might want to include an afternoon visit to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.
Overnight - Cambridge.

Day 2 
Morning - Ely (take a tour of the magnificent cathedral).
Afternoon - The Fens (enjoy a scenic tour, perhaps visiting the Welney Wetland Centre, or the fine Georgian town of Wisbech).
Overnight - Peterborough.

Day 3 
Morning - Peterborough (visit the magnificent cathedral, then take a steam train ride aboard the Nene Valley Railway).
Afternoon - Huntingdon and St. Ives (take a tour of 'Oliver Cromwell' country).

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ESSEX
Starting point: Saffron Walden. Duration: 3 days.

Day 1  
Morning - Saffron Walden (explore this lovely town, including Bridge End Gardens).
Afternoon - Essex Villages tour (Finchingfield, Thaxted and Castle Hedingham). Alternatively, how about a visit to Audley End House and Gardens.
Overnight - Saffron Walden/Braintree area.

Day 2  
Morning - Colchester (visit the Norman castle, Dutch Quarter and firstsite).
Afternoon - Clacton-on-Sea (enjoy an afternoon at the seaside).
Overnight - Colchester.

Day 3  
Morning - Maldon (explore this hilltop town, port and sailing centre).
Afternoon - Southend-on-Sea (enjoy an afternoon at the seaside).

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HERTFORDSHIRE
Starting point: Hertford. Duration: 3 days.

Day 1  
Morning - Hertford (explore this historic county town).
Afternoon - Hatfield House or Knebworth House (two great historic houses to visit).
Overnight - Hertford area.

Day 2  
Morning and Afternoon - St. Albans (visit the magnificent cathedral, see the Roman aftefacts at the Verulamium Museum, and enjoy great shopping).
Overnight - St. Albans.

Day 3  
Morning - Berkhamsted and Tring (two interesting towns to explore).
Afternoon - Ashridge Estate (enjoy this area of outstanding natural beauty).

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NORFOLK
Starting point: Norwich. Duration: 5 days.

Day 1  
Morning and Afternoon - Norwich (visit the magnificent cathedral and castle, take a cruise along the river, then enjoy great shopping).
Overnight - Norwich.

Day 2  
Morning - The Brecks (enjoy this unique landscape), or head to nearby Thetford Forest Park for walks and wildlife.
Afternoon - King's Lynn (explore this fine old maritime town). 
Overnight - King's Lynn.

Day 3  
Morning - Sandringham (discover the country retreat of The Queen), then enjoy lunch in the fragrant gardens of Norfolk Lavender.
Afternoon - Hunstanton (enjoy an afternoon at the seaside).
Overnight - Hunstanton area.

Day 4  
Morning and Afternoon - North Norfolk Coast (enjoy this area of outstanding natural beauty, visit magnificent Holkham Hall, take a boat trip to see the seals, ride aboard The Poppy Line, or head to the crab fishing town of Cromer).
Overnight - Cromer area.

Day 5  
Morning - The Broads (take a boat trip on Britain's largest protected wetland).
Afternoon - Great Yarmouth (enjoy an afternoon at the seaside, or explore the town's maritime heritage).

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SUFFOLK
Starting point: Ipswich. Duration: 4 days.

Day 1  
Morning and Afternoon - Ipswich (take a walking guided tour, visit 16th C. Christchurch Mansion, and enjoy a boat trip along the River Orwell).
Overnight - Ipswich.

Day 2  
Morning - Constable Country (explore the landscapes which inspired Britain's greatest landscape artist).
Afternoon - The Suffolk Wool Towns (enjoy a scenic tour, perhaps stopping for antique shopping in Long Melford, or a cream tea in historic Lavenham).
Overnight - Bury St. Edmunds.

Day 3  
Morning - Bury St. Edmunds (explore this fine old market town, noted for its cathedral and lovely gardens).
Afternoon - Newmarket (enjoy an afternoon at the races, visit the horseracing museum or take a tour of The National Stud).
Overnight - Newmarket area.

Day 4  
Morning - Suffolk Villages (wind your way through pretty villages and historic market towns such as Framlingham and Woodbridge).
Afternoon - Suffolk Coast (visit this lovely area of coastline, perhaps stopping in Aldeburgh or Southwold. Don't miss the famous RSPB reserve at Minsmere).