Norwich, Norfolk, UK < change city >

Ceremony:

St. Mary's Church, Wetherden

Reception:

Reception

Attraction:

Aldeburgh / Snape Maltings

"Aldeburgh, home of Benjamin Britten amongst others, is a lovely seaside resort. Boutique shops and galleries, good hotel southern end of sea front, long shingle beach - good for kite flying in winter! - marina... Fish and chips on the beach is a must. Strangely short of tea shops! Nearby Snape is a must for music lovers - home to Britten's concert hall in an old maltings (still being restored building by building). Great selection of galleries and shops. Concerts, two good pubs near the Maltings - Crown and ..."

Attraction:

Bury St Edmunds

"A large market town 15 minutes from Wetherden. Undergone major face lift in past 15 years and a much younger population now. Medieval town centre with excellent tradiional market on Saturdays and Wednesdays, including rare breeds meat stall, French sausages and breads, coffees and teas, local vegetables, flowers... Town laid out in 1100 by William the Conqueror's step brother / brother in law (can't remember which!) and based around the typical grid pattern of streets in the centre all leading eventually to the Abbey; this was a very powerful Benedictine Abbey in its day and taxed the locals excessively, controlling the town life right down to charging for use of the only mill available for grinding corn / wheat . The townspeople rioted in 1324 and knocked down the Abbey Gate. They made up enough to rebuild the gate in 1327 - next to the old one and now off centre from Abbeygate Street, as you will see. Henry VIII did his worst and he Abbey is nw just ruins but well worth a visit to the Tourist Centre on Angel Hill near the Abbey Gate tour details. Mary Tudor is buried in St Mary's Church just along the road from the Cathedral - last to be finished in England and having just had its tower completed. Bury has a plethora of coffee shops and eateries. Worth a return visit in May when there is a 2 week Festival of Art and Music with an acclaimed international line up. The newly restored Edwardian Theatre Royal is well worth a visit. You could easily spend a week exploring Bury!"

Attraction:

Horringer Village

"Ickworth Park - home of the notorious Marquess of Bath. Now a National Trust Property. An amazing Italianate structure topped by a massive rotunda, built for the 4th Earl of Bristol in 1795. It was to house the earl's art treasures, but they were seized by Napoleon and the Earl died (and his body was shipped home from Italy in a coffin labelled "antique sculpture"). Enjoy walks around the lake, across parkland and through woodland or gardens. Wonderful parkland / woodland walks through extensive estate. Just along from the entrance to Ickworth, in Horringer village, try one of our favourite foodie pubs - the Beehive. Great welcome, great food, buzzing atmosphere, very popular - book!"

Attraction:

Lavenham - Historic Village

"Lavenham is an historic village crammed full of crooked medieval buildings, quaint shops and art galleries. A superb Church at the top end of the village is often used for concerts - one of the locally famous 'wool churches' (built from wealthy wool merchants' money in Medieval times and of very fine workmanship). There are three good Pubs - one in front of the council carpark for overflow parking at the top end of the village just before the church. The central village square includes the Medieval Wool Hall, which is worth a visit."

Attraction:

Long Melford

"Long Melford is an historic small town - one of the wealthy 'cloth' towns of Medieval times. It was one of Elizabeth I's destinations for her 1588 'Progress' around East Anglia - then a Catholic stronghold and rather overtly rebellious in its refusal to follow the Queen's rules about attending Protestant church three times a year. She came to assert her authority and quell possible threats so stayed with notable wealthy Catholic families around Suffolk and Norfolk; in so doing she managed to bankrupt them as she traveled with her whole court and it would not have been wise to refuse her self-made invitation! These refusers were the 'recusants' and many were fined then imprisoned - some dying in captivity. Local churchyards are full of the Bruisyards and Sulyards - key families of the time. Walk the long High Street with small quirky and boutique shops. Have a drink / stay at the Bull hotel. A good restaurant is the .., Visit the fine Church on the hill, often used for concerts - another of the famous 'wool churches' (built from wealthy wool merchants' money in Medieval times and of very fine workmanship). The nearby estate of Kentwell Hall runs regular recreations of Tudor life where local families live for a few weeks over the Summer, speaking, eating, working Tudor style, according to their own skills - cooks, woodworkers, gardeners, farm hands, jugglers, minstrels... The beautiful Tudor house and gardens are open to the public and well worth a visit (£7 adult entry) Melford Hall is a National Trust property and houses a Beatrix Potter collection."

Attraction:

The Leaping Hare, Wyken Vineyards

"A lovely Saturday morning - weekly farmers' market, large country style shop with quality items, clothing, children's gifts, own wines for sale. Walks around he gardens and vineyard. Great tea shop and restaurant is recommended."

Attraction:

West Stow Anglo Saxon Village

"An interesting visit if you like things ancient. Reconstructed village - not just mounds in the grass! Regular recreation weekends. Small but excellent museum with coffee shop and lovely walks around lakes, through woodland and across heathland (locally known as Breckland)."

Attraction:

Woodbridge

"Lovely town on the river - we had our first meal together here so highly recommend The Galley restaurant on Market Hill! Walk long the river - working tide mill, lots of boats moored. Very picturesque. Fancy a movie? The Riverside is a Georgian theatre with attached restaurant and a favourite of ours to meet friends. Dinner / film packages available. We like eating our first course and then returning to the restaurant after the film for dessert and coffee. The patio heaters make an outside experience a bit of fun in winter - we've done it and felt hot!"