The East of England counties of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Essex, and Bedfordshire have plenty to offer anyone looking for a weekend break, any time of the year. Here are some suggestions on where to go, what to see, and where to stay if planning to travel in January or February to enjoy a winter weekend break.
January
Where to Go
This is the month when the weather might be challenging but it's time to don the thick winter coats and head for the Fens of north Cambridgeshire and north Norfolk.
Where to Stay
Peterborough would make a good base for this area, as there's lots of accommodation and eating places, and attractions like the cathedral to see too. Try the Best Western Orton Hall, which has a highly-praised restaurant.
What to See
An ancient tradition takes place this month in Whittlesey, about five miles to the east of Peterborough. Check the dates in advance for the Whittlesey Straw Bear celebrations, when dancers and musicians from all over the world descend on this small Cambridgeshire town to celebrate an ancient pagan tradition. A local ploughman dresses as the Straw Bear and leads processions of Morris and other traditional dancers from all over the world through the town. The streets are alive with dance and music, and the pubs do a roaring trade too.
About 16 miles or so east of Whittlesey is the Welney Wetlands Centre, one of the main overwintering places for swans in England. Every day from October to March the swans are fed, so if in the area for the Straw Bear Festival be sure to travel the extra few miles to see this other fascinating event.
What to Do
The flat Fens exert a special magic in the depths of winter, and when the weather is really cold, as happened in the winter of 2008/2009, the local people get their skates on and take the chance to go Fen Skating. The Fen ditches are only frozen over thickly enough every few years, but it is an exhilarating sight when it happens and everyone gets chance to keep a long-standing tradition alive.
February
Where to Go
Break out of the winter blues in Hertfordshire by seeking out the first signs of spring in its gardens and joining in an unusual Lenten tradition at Hitchin, the Pancake Fayre.
Where to Stay
The historic town of St Albans is a good base for a February visit. If the weather turns nasty then keep warm while exploring the magnificent cathedral and the splendid Roman mosaics at the Verulamium Museum. There is also the Sopwell House Country Club and Spa, which was once the Georgian country home of Lord Mountbatten.
What to See
This is the month when everyone's floral favourite, the snowdrop, should be bursting into life and hopefully heralding... if not the end of winter then at least the beginning of the end. The Benington Lordship Gardens near Stevenage is one of the best places in the whole of the East of England to see these pretty little flowers putting on a display. The snowdrops are at their best in February and on into March, and the expanses of them are growing every year as they thrive in these gardens. There are over 80 different varieties of snowdrop too, although only the expert eye can spot the differences between some of them. The yellow varieties naturally stand out. The garden also sells a limited number of bulbs each winter, so keen gardeners can try to create their own displays in time for next winter.
What to Do
A few miles away in Hitchin is another event that takes place every year, though the exact dates depend on the timing of Easter. It's Hitchin's Pancake Fayre, which takes place in the Market Square on the Saturday prior to Shrove Tuesday. There are games, especially for the children, live music and other entertainment, and of course lots of pancakes to eat. The fun continues on Shrove Tuesday when there are pancake races around the square. There are races for men, races for women, races for children, and fancy dress races too. It's best to check in advance to make sure they're taking place. In 2009 the races were cancelled due to bad weather, which can happen when Easter falls early and winter stays late.
January
Where to Go
This is the month when the weather might be challenging but it's time to don the thick winter coats and head for the Fens of north Cambridgeshire and north Norfolk.
Where to Stay
Peterborough would make a good base for this area, as there's lots of accommodation and eating places, and attractions like the cathedral to see too. Try the Best Western Orton Hall, which has a highly-praised restaurant.
What to See
An ancient tradition takes place this month in Whittlesey, about five miles to the east of Peterborough. Check the dates in advance for the Whittlesey Straw Bear celebrations, when dancers and musicians from all over the world descend on this small Cambridgeshire town to celebrate an ancient pagan tradition. A local ploughman dresses as the Straw Bear and leads processions of Morris and other traditional dancers from all over the world through the town. The streets are alive with dance and music, and the pubs do a roaring trade too.
About 16 miles or so east of Whittlesey is the Welney Wetlands Centre, one of the main overwintering places for swans in England. Every day from October to March the swans are fed, so if in the area for the Straw Bear Festival be sure to travel the extra few miles to see this other fascinating event.
What to Do
The flat Fens exert a special magic in the depths of winter, and when the weather is really cold, as happened in the winter of 2008/2009, the local people get their skates on and take the chance to go Fen Skating. The Fen ditches are only frozen over thickly enough every few years, but it is an exhilarating sight when it happens and everyone gets chance to keep a long-standing tradition alive.
February
Where to Go
Break out of the winter blues in Hertfordshire by seeking out the first signs of spring in its gardens and joining in an unusual Lenten tradition at Hitchin, the Pancake Fayre.
Where to Stay
The historic town of St Albans is a good base for a February visit. If the weather turns nasty then keep warm while exploring the magnificent cathedral and the splendid Roman mosaics at the Verulamium Museum. There is also the Sopwell House Country Club and Spa, which was once the Georgian country home of Lord Mountbatten.
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What to See
This is the month when everyone's floral favourite, the snowdrop, should be bursting into life and hopefully heralding... if not the end of winter then at least the beginning of the end. The Benington Lordship Gardens near Stevenage is one of the best places in the whole of the East of England to see these pretty little flowers putting on a display. The snowdrops are at their best in February and on into March, and the expanses of them are growing every year as they thrive in these gardens. There are over 80 different varieties of snowdrop too, although only the expert eye can spot the differences between some of them. The yellow varieties naturally stand out. The garden also sells a limited number of bulbs each winter, so keen gardeners can try to create their own displays in time for next winter.
What to Do
A few miles away in Hitchin is another event that takes place every year, though the exact dates depend on the timing of Easter. It's Hitchin's Pancake Fayre, which takes place in the Market Square on the Saturday prior to Shrove Tuesday. There are games, especially for the children, live music and other entertainment, and of course lots of pancakes to eat. The fun continues on Shrove Tuesday when there are pancake races around the square. There are races for men, races for women, races for children, and fancy dress races too. It's best to check in advance to make sure they're taking place. In 2009 the races were cancelled due to bad weather, which can happen when Easter falls early and winter stays late.