THE EASTERN ANGLE

Grand houses, vintage trolley buses and a classic pastoral scene - Victor Charles enjoys an East Anglian pick 'n' mix

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If you get the opportunity to visit The National Gallery in London, you will be treated to a feast for the eyes, with hundreds of wonderful paintings on display from across the centuries.

One of the most popular and celebrated works is John Constable's 'The Hay Wain', a view of the tranquil millpond at Flatford, on the River Stour in Suffolk.

This delightful painting, of a wooden wagon making its way through shallow water to a meadow on the other side, is a huge favourite with visitors.

But who needs John Constable and The National Gallery, when you can see the real thing for yourself?

Here we were near the Stour in Suffolk, looking at the very same scene - some of the vegetation was a bit thicker, but there were the instantly recognisable millpond and the river. What a treat, and this was just one of the many reasons why we had been so keen to visit the area.

Polstead Country Park

East Anglia might not be the first place that springs to mind as a holiday hotspot, but while it doesn't have the high profile of the Lake District or Snowdonia, it's certainly got a lot going for it.

Visitor attractions include the glorious coastline and countryside, museums and art galleries, heritage sites and nature reserves - something for everyone.

We were staying at Polstead Country Park, a wonderful campsite with friendly staff, a small shop, and really immaculate facilities. Sparrows and pigeons pecked at the lawn outside our caravan, and birdsong filled the air. It was charming.

It was late afternoon and sadly, starting to rain when we arrived. The weather was deteriorating fast, so we stayed on site, cooked dinner in the van, relaxed, then went to check out the ancient market town of Hadleigh in the evening.

The town is picturesque, with beautiful old buildings, a handy selection of shops, traditional pubs and an imposing church.