Lonely Planet guide puts East Anglia on “must see” list

A travel guide has listed East Anglia among the top 10 regions in the world to visit – with an RSPB reserve in the region featuring as a top destination.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 guide described East Anglia as “enigmatic” and celebrated it for offering “a true taste of old England”.

Also in the top 10 regions were Bavaria in Germany, Valais in Switzerland and the Tamar Valley in Australia.

RSPB Minsmere, home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife including bitterns and avocets, was singled out as a place to visit while in Suffolk.

Tom Hall, from Lonely Planet, said East Anglia made the list after a “long and rigourous selection process”.

The publication creates its guide by first consulting its network of contributors, before an “external panel of experts vote and verify” the suggestions to narrow them down to the final list.

Mr Hall said East Anglia had “beautiful coastline, timeless villages and lively cities” as well as a thriving arts and culture scene.

Pete Waters, the executive director of Visit East of England, said the region’s inclusion was a “fantastic accolade”.

He said: “This region is great to visit all year round, with superb built and natural environments.

“There are also some unmissable events in winter and spring like the spectacular migrations of hundreds of thousands of geese and swans and the seal pupping season, when this region has some of the largest colonies in the country.”

Nick Forster, senior site manager at RSPB Minsmere, said the team was “excited” to feature in the guide, adding: “What makes the reserve so special are the really good opportunities here to get close to birds and wildlife.”

The reserve is located near Southwold and is famous for its marshes and bird watching hotspots and hides.

Mr Forster said: “We also have people here right now enjoying watching the red deer rut on the heathland and they also come for the peace and quiet.

“We also have a great cafe and shop where you can get fantastic scones.”

As well as the birdwatching havens of Minsmere and Cley Marshes, the guide also highlighted exploring the area between King’s Lynn and Cromer by bus, as well as Holkham Hall, Norwich and Cambridge.

Also mentioned were events such as Latitude and the Aldeburgh Festival, Houghton Hall’s sculpture garden and the half-timbered houses of Lavenham.

East Anglia was named as the eighth best region in the world to visit in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025, with South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia in the USA taking the top spot.