Latest update - only a small one - 16 July 2005

The page is to loosely form a community of residents and ex-residents of East Anglia and to see if there is life in them there fens. Please join us in collecting together Researchers who fit into this category, and maybe you know something about this part of the world which you can add here.... This is a very small start, for you all to add your knowledge and links to.... (24 March 2001) (I have just jotted down some information I found in my head, so if it's wrong, please correct me!!)

East Anglia

East Anglia is a very unique piece of land. A lot of it is below sea level, most of it is used for agricultural purposes, and yet it houses one of the world's most famous universities, Cambridge. Its circular shape gives it the maximum amount of coast, most of which is holiday seaside, or very active ports. A very large area is made up of the Norfolk Broads - a nature reserve with many rare birds, flowers and insects, very popular also for holidays. On the whole, most of East Anglia is cosy, rural and unspoilt, the largest towns having very historical and tradition-ridden centres (Norwich, Cambridge). Yarmouth, on the other hand, is a traditional British seaside resort, with arcades, pier and attractions including a permanent funfair.

Where is it, for heaven's sake

East Anglia is the fat tummy part to the South East of England. It consists of the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, and most of Essex. It has miles of coast and many famous seaside towns.

History

Millions of years ago, East Anglia was joined to Europe, then it was under water, and nowadays it is part of the island of Great Britain. It had a turbulent history during Roman times and due to its great amounts of coastline and the proximity of the Thames and Orwell estuaries in the South and the Wash in the North, is of great significance in trading. The North Eastern towns were also important stages on the routes from London towards the North and town names like 'Downham Market' (in Norfolk) and 'Needham Market' (in Suffolk) demonstrate the emphasis on trading for the livelihood of the people in the area.

There are many connections with the Royals, both in the past and at present. Prince Charles studied at Cambridge University, and the Queen regularly visits Newmarket where she has several horses.

Famous East Anglians

Boadicea or Boudicca led the Iceni in a brave attempt to resist the Roman conquest in the first Century AD.

And there really are H2G2 Researchers from there?

• 2legs - comes from Lowestoft, Suffolk

• FABT - comes from Histon, Cambs

• MaW - comes from Histon, Cambs

• Morgsta - comes from Ipswich, Suffolk

• Sue - Essex

• E G Mel ... stands for "Essex Girl" - Essex

• Joe C - (wrote the entry on King's Lynn see link below.)

• Trillian's Child - grew up in Newmarket, Suffolk

Please post your name below if you are from East Anglia!

What does the Guide have to say about East Anglia?

Places

• Norwich, Norfolk, UK

• Ipswich, Suffolk, UK

• Lowestoft, Suffolk, England (Now available in the edited version, here)

• Cambridge, UK

• The Steps Cafe, Cambridge, UK

• Café Carrington, Cambridge, United Kingdom

• Aldborough, Norfolk, UK

• Broom Hall Country Hotel, Watton, Norfolk, UK

• Mersea Island, Essex, UK

• King's Lynn, Norfolk UK

Activities

• Clare-Ents, Cambridge, UK

• The Cambridge Footlights

People

• The Rector of Stiffkey

Feedback

Whew! it's finally started coming in. Sue (our resident Essex girl) recommends a visit to Southwold:

I can't leave the East Anglia subject without dropping in my favourite place of the lot -
Southwold, Suffolk, home of Adnams brewery. Adnams ale unfortunately doesn't
travel well and is best sampled in the Sole Bay Inn, in the shadow of the lighthouse,
about 100 yards down the road from the brewery. The camping site distance has a
Tardis effect - a very long walk to the pubs, a suprisingly short walk back!