EEDA - East of England Development Agency

Bank on the East of England for a great holiday weekend

19 August 2008

EEDA is encouraging people to stay local this bank holiday weekend and enjoy all that is on offer close to home and support the local economies of the East of England.

Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said:

“The East of England has something for everyone to enjoy this August Bank Holiday weekend. You could stroll around historic towns and cities, enjoy world-renowned arts and culture festivals or see the dragonflies and otters in wetland habitats. There is a wealth of things to see and do in the region and for a time budgets when are a bit stretched it is great that so many of them are free.

“EEDA is taking a prominent role in investing in making all the six counties in this region a great place to visit and enjoy this weekend and all year round."

The wide range of options for an enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend in the region include visiting the Anglesey Abbey National Trust gardens, which now has a new visitors’ centre made possible with EEDA funding, where there is gourmet restaurant sourcing only local produce.

On the other hand maybe a stroll along the refurbished, ancient quay at Brancaster in Norfolk is more your thing. Although if it’s a walk on the wild side you want then why not try an enjoyable trek through the Wat Tyler Country Park in Basildon.

If you fancy a traditional day at the English seaside at Southend you could go roller skating on the longest pleasure pier in the world, 1.33 miles long. You will also find the 100 year-old Palace Hotel, which has benefited from a significant investment and is once again ready to receive holiday-makers in their droves.

If you are a culture-vulture then pop along to the Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh in Suffolk where you can enjoy the Snape Proms (1-31 August). It features folk, jazz, classical and world music as well as poetry and comedy.

Shake off the sleepy feeling after Sunday lunch and get some fresh air at one of the main nature reserves in the region.  You could take the kids to the family day at Welney Wetland Centre near Ely.  If you live in Essex go to Rainham Marshes, an ancient marshland on the banks of the River Thames, where there is an opportunity to enjoy hands-on activities such as pond dipping, bird watching and much more.

At the Amwell wetland nature reserve in Hertfordshire, see if you can spot the hairy dragonfly or red-eyed damselfly on the Dragonfly Trail. The former gravel pits are also home to otters and ‘mini beasts’ such as water beetles and water bugs.