Where to go. East Anglia?

[jazzkat]

I'm planning a brief (week) tour and I've got two options. Well I've actually got lots of options, but this is my current thinking.
I have relatives in the Melton Mowbray and others near Ipswich and I'm planning to drive down to one of them, dump the car and have a week on my bike cycle-camping.
The question is which one? North or South? It's not an area I know very well so it would all be new to me.
Any camp recommendations, places to visit, routes to avoid? etc
Ta in advance

 

[andym]

Sorry I know this isn't helpful but it's all good really. Suffolk coast south of Sizewell. North Norfolk: Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea etc. A week should be long enough to see both counties coast and inland.

The NCN is a pretty good place to start. Suffolk and Norfolk County Council tourism websites.

EDIT: before anyone says anything, I realise I forgot Essex and Cambridgeshire. Oops...

 

[Binka]

North Norfolk costal cycle route?

 

[takeonafrica]

What about Peddars' Way (could cycle from Ipswich to Knettishall Heath where it starts)... nice route, mostly off-road and links up with North norfolk coastal route too. Could then do loop through Norfolk Broads and get train from Norwich back to Ipswich... that wouldn't take a week though.
Nice routes through Thetford Forest too.

 

[jazzkat]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'll look into them.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Holkham beach....

 

[Big T]

Melton isn't in East Anglia, but it's only a days ride away. I've done a fair amount of riding in the north Norfolk lanes as my S-I-L has a static caravan at Hunstanton. Stay off the King Lynn to Hunstanton road but there are some really nice lanes just inland. The coast road after Hunstanton isn't so bad, but lanes are better. Places of interest include Sandringham, Holkham Hall, Castle Acre, Wells, Sheringham, Cley, Burnham Market, the Broads.

What I've seen of the Peddars Way looks hard work unless you're on an MTB.

 

[Biscuit]

Melton isn't in East Anglia, but it's only a days ride away. I've done a fair amount of riding in the north Norfolk lanes as my S-I-L has a static caravan at Hunstanton. Stay off the King Lynn to Hunstanton road but there are some really nice lanes just inland. The coast road after Hunstanton isn't so bad, but lanes are better. Places of interest include Sandringham, Holkham Hall, Castle Acre, Wells, Sheringham, Cley, Burnham Market, the Broads.

What I've seen of the Peddars Way looks hard work unless you're on an MTB.

Yes I've done the Peddars Way - And IMHO I would only tackle it on an MTB or Cross bike.

 

[Biscuit]

Last year, I took the train the Sheringham then rode back home (Sudbury way), using Sustrans NCR1 / 51 / 13 over two days. TBH the only time I've used a sustrans route as i find they generally don't go anywhere too useful. However on this occasion it passes through some lovely scenery and places. I stopped off at Bungay and had a B&B overnight, and took a look at the castle. If you have time Framlingham is lovely too, and Flatford Mill and Dedham are worth a visit - if nothing more than to sit by the river with a beer.

 

[jazzkat]

More great advice/recommendations, thanks guys

 

[robjh]

A few assorted good bits - I like the coast road from Cromer to Happisburgh; traffic isn't too bad most of the time and you get some nice sea views around Mundesley.
Also if you're nearer London at all, there are some very pretty villages in north-west Essex, such as Finchingfield and Thaxted, and many smaller ones thereabouts.
Avoid the fens though as all that flatness gets boring very quickly (though it's nice when you get to cross the big waterways).

 

[Bodhbh]

Avoid the fens though as all that flatness gets boring very quickly (though it's nice when you get to cross the big waterways).

I dunno, I always enjoy riding The Fens, but I know what you mean and my mate hated em. It's worth at least experiencing and nice to stop for a pint without knowing you'll be facing a climb the first thing you leave the pub!

One of the things I like about East Anglia is their's some very different landscapes within a small area. Other part I really liked was the Brecklands (are they part of Thetford Forest, or next to it?) Really strange landscape of sand and pine right in the middle of England.

 

[robjh]

I dunno, I always enjoy riding The Fens, but I know what you mean and my mate hated em. It's worth at least experiencing and nice to stop for a pint without knowing you'll be facing a climb the first thing you leave the pub!

OK, guess you're right really, especially about the new experience. When I first moved to the area I was looking forward to discovering the Fens, but the excitement did soon wear off - must have been all that wind that blew it away! If people do want to explore the Fens, I'd recommend Denver Sluice near Downham Market, and of course Ely.

 

[matthat]

I'm not clued up on the melton mowbry area! But from ipswich you could visit colchester (oldest roman town) Then out cross country to Earls colne (lovejoy country) showing my age now!!Then out to maldon back round in a circle through the different darcy villages to Tiptree (my old home village and also home to wilkins jam with a fine tea room if not a bit expensive) Then keep heading back through wivenhoe and ardleigh towards ipswich. If you want any more info feel free to pm me!