'Traditional' and 'overlooked' part of UK named one of world's best destinations

A 'traditional' and 'overlooked' destination in the UK has made it onto Best in Travel for 2025 list featuring 30 destinations.

The list praised East Anglia for its many charms and named it one of the top 10 list for best regions to visit in the entire world. 

"The enigmatic UK region of East Anglia, comprising of the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Cambridgeshire, has been celebrated for offering a true taste of old England, combined with beautiful nature reserves perfect for birding such as Minsmere and Cley Marshes, lively coastal beach towns and picturesque inland waterways," the Lonely Planet list writes. 

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The area consists of many key historical cities and towns including Ipswich, and St Albans. Many of the destinations in the area are also easily accessible by train. For example, from London Kings Cross it takes 48 minutes to get to Cambridge.

VisitBritain/Visit England chief executive Patricia Yates said: “It is fantastic to see East Anglia take its place on the global stage as one of top regions. And it’s no surprise with the area boasting an outstanding coastline, fabulous seaside towns, historic attractions, waterways and breathtaking countryside.

"This accolade will encourage domestic and international visitors to explore more of the region and discover the warm welcome that awaits them.”

Visit East of England executive director Pete Waters added: "This region is great to visit all year round, with superb built and natural environments, but 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."

As well as birdwatching hotspots Minsmere and Cley Marshes, Lonely Planet pinpointed the seafood available in King's Lynn and Cromer, Holkham Hall, a night out in theatre, live music, arts shows, creative dining, the museums and colleges in Cambridge, among the amazing activities and destinations to visit in the region.

Festivals such as and Aldeburgh Music, Houghton Hall’s sculpture garden and the half-timbered houses of Wool Town Lavenham, were also given recognition by Lonely Planet.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 - Complete list

Top 10 Best Cities

Toulouse, France
Pondicherry, India
Bansko, Bulgaria
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Genoa, Italy
Pittsburgh, USA
Osaka, Japan
Curitiba, Brazil
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Edmonton, Canada

Top 10 Best Countries

Cameroon
Lithuania
Fiji
Laos
Kazakhstan
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Vanuatu
Slovakia
Armenia

Top 10 Regions

South Carolina’s Low Country and Coastal Georgia, USA
The Terai, Nepal
Chiriqui, Panama
Launceston & the Tamar Valley, Australia
Valais, Switzerland
Giresun & Ordu, Turkiye
Bavaria, Germany
East Anglia, England
Jordan Trail
Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge region, Oregon, USA