UK’s ‘quaint paradise’ named one of the world’s best places for 2025

When planning a getaway for 2025, places such as Rome, Japan, and Mexico might be on your must-visit list.

But according to travel experts at Lonely Planet, a spot much closer to home should be a top contender for you.

Along with places such as South Carolina, Bavaria, Valais, and the Jordan Trail, the UK’s very own East Anglia made it into the travel guide’s top 10 list of must-visit regions for next year.

East Anglia, which has recently been in the news for having some drone drama, came in eighth place after a ‘long and rigorous selection process’. Travel pros claimed it offers ‘a taste of traditional England’ without the typical touristy attractions’. 

For those who aren’t familiar with the region it consists of several counties, including Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. Lonely Planet also includes Essex within its East Anglia guide, and while it is in the East of England, there’s often much debate as to whether it’s actually a part of East Anglia or not.

Many will now likely be wondering what exactly makes this particular region so great. According to Tom Hall, the head of Lonely Planet UK, it’s the ‘unspoilt beaches, quiet villages, quirky market and seaside towns, as well as thriving cities like Norwich and Cambridge’.

But do locals agree with him? We spoke to people from across the region to find out what they really think of East Anglia. Here’s what they had to say…

For Brendan Padfield, owner of the Unruly Pig gastropub in Suffolk, it’s a no-brainer that East Anglia has been hailed as a must-visit.

‘This is no surprise at all,’ he told Metro. ‘I am not a native East Anglian but I have never regretted moving here 30 plus years ago. It’s an incredible region in which to live and bring up a family.

‘East Anglia’s vast open skies are what struck me when I first moved here from North Wales, and there are many special places across the region such as it’s capital, the city of Norwich (where I met my wife).

‘The north Norfolk coast offers quaint villages, poppy strewn dinky lanes and vast beaches. For example: Holkham beach is just glorious (perhaps best seen in the film Shakespeare in Love) but just watch out for the nudists though (there is a naturalist section to its dunes!)  

Where to go in Suffolk

‘Suffolk, my adopted and home county is also so beautiful and still really unspoilt – yet it is only and hour or so from London by train.

‘Three particularly standout places to visit include the National Trust’s Orford Ness, Shingle Street Beach (like Dungeness in Kent but more desolate and beautiful), and the viking burial site of Sutton Hoo.’

He adds: ‘My wife and her family used to live in Sheffield but holidayed in East Anglia every year when she was young. They thought East Anglia was their little secret because the region was so stunningly beautiful and yet so comparatively quiet. It is no surprise the rest of the world has now caught on.

‘Forty plus years later East Anglia is still so very special and indeed unspoilt. Therefore East Anglia so deserves the accolade of being a top 10 must-visit location.’

Asa Morrison from Burgh Castle in Norfolk agrees that East Anglia is ‘absolutely a must-visit’.

The 52-year-old said: ‘What’s great about it is that it has something for almost every type of visitor – from the Norfolk Broads and wildlife to a choice of activites, plus great beaches and seaside attractions. We have many miles of golden sand and it’s so easy to escape and find a quiet spot.

‘My wife and I felt it was a good place to bring up our seven children, as there’s such a wide range of things to do locally. We really are spoilt for choice.’

However, he acknowledges that the region isn’t perfect and there are a few issues he’s encountered since moving there from London.

‘It can get pretty dark in the winter months, and you’ll need a big coat in January,’ he says. ‘We also don’t have the best local transport infrastructure; it’s improving but it can still be a bit difficult to get around without a car.’

Calli Kitson, 26, from Suffolk feels similarly, claiming that she ‘loves’ East Anglia as there’s so much wonderful countryside to explore, but living there it can have its downsides.

She explained: ‘I’ve lived in Suffolk all of my life and generally? I love it. I live 5 minutes away from the beach, there are so many country walks I can explore with my cockapoo Albus and in the evenings, it’s so quiet.

‘There are downsides to living in the remote area I’m from though. Travelling places takes a long time and sometimes, it can make you feel a little trapped.

‘It’s very easy to get stuck in Suffolk and living here forever isn’t my goal. But for someone who has lived elsewhere for many years and wants to relocate to a quieter part of the country, with cute towns and greenery that goes on for miles, Suffolk is absolutely the place to go.’

As for Calli’s must-visit spots in the region, she recommends heading to the town of Woodbridge in Suffolk and avoididng ‘heavy tourist spots’ like Southwold beach in the summer.

‘The seaside town is great and has quirky shops, but it’s overwhelming to navigate due to the hundreds of people that flock there,’ she adds.

Where to go in Cambridge

Metro’s deputy head of social, Rob, however, has nothing but praise to share for the region, claiming his home town is ‘delightful’ and he’s ‘proud’ that it’s been featured in the travel guide.

‘What do I, Oliver Cromwell and Charlie XCX all have in common? We were all born in Cambrigeshire. That astonishing fact alone should be reason enough as to why East Anglia has voted one of the world’s ‘must-visit’ regions of 2025,’ he jokes.

‘But away from celebrity birth locations, the county of Cambridgeshire, situationed conveniently within said region, has a lot to offer (if you don’t stray too far from Cambridge).

‘Firstly, we can boast one of the the world’s finest universities, housed in the UK’s eighth most-visited city. Seriously, tell anyone in the world that you’re from Cambridge and chances are they’ll mention the university.

‘It says a lot about my county that when you look up ‘best things to do in Cambridgeshire’, most of them fall within Cambridge. Want world-class museums? We’ve got them! Want to drink on a river while some bloke pushes you along with a big stick? You can do that too.

‘But if you venture outside of the city limits you’ll come across delightful little market towns like Huntingdon, St. Ives, and my hometown, St. Neots (just 45 minutes on the train from Kings Cross, by the way). And lets not forget the famed mini city of Ely, where the spectacular cathedral dominates the skyline. So yeah, I’m proud that my home region has made it onto such a list.’

And I have to agree with him, it is pretty cool to see the spotlight being shined on my home region, (without any inbreeding jokes being cracked for once!)

If you’d asked me in my teens if East Anglia was a ‘must-visit’ destination, I’d have laughed in your face. Growing up in East Anglia, I couldn’t wait to leave. I’m from the small town of Diss in Norfolk (don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard of it), and I always longed to be somewhere a little more glamorous, like London or New York.

Norwich was my first real experience of city living as I moved there at 18 to attend the University of East Anglia. I quickly fell in love with the place, its cobbled lanes filled with independent businesses, and its kind-hearted people. 

I’m now 30 and while I don’t live in Norfolk anymore, getting older has given me a new appreciation for my old stomping ground. East Anglia might stick out like a sore thumb on this Lonely Planet list, but parts of the region certainly are a must-visit.

Where to go in Norfolk

There’s Norwich, which is the perfect destination for a weekend break. While there, I’d recommend you check out the stunning Cathedral, the Castle has plenty of history, and you have to browse the multi-coloured market in the heart of the city, which is one of the UK’s oldest and largest. If the weather is nice, those staying for a few days might also want to consider making the 30 minute drive to Wroxham and renting a boat to explore the Norfolk Broads, a very unique National Park. 

The city is also a foodie paradise. Grab brunch at Cafe No. 33 (the queues are worth it, trust me), and be sure to stop by Macarons & More for one of Tim Kinnaird’s treats. If you’ve got time, treat yourself to a magical afternoon tea at the Assembly House, and for a slap up evening meal head to Benoli for some delicious pasta, Jive Kitchen for Mexican food, or Namaste India for a delicious;y authentic curry.