Day Out - The Orchard

This is a great time of the year to visit The Orchard. Located in Grantchester (just outside Cambridge), about 40 minutes from RAF Mildenhall, The Orchard is a historic tea garden and well-guarded local secret. Many famous writers - including Virginia Woolf, A.A. Milne, Germaine Greer, E.M. Forster and Sylvia Plath - frequented the century old Orchard.

They serve morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon teas. They make their own homemade scones that they serve with clotted cream and local jams. Grab them while you can - they go quickly! I also recommend their fruit tarts and chocolate cake. In the fall, you can pick apples right off the tree and eat them! Absolutely one of East Anglia's best-kept secrets!

• There is a small (free) museum/gift shop on the premises.
  
• Free parking
• Children are welcome as long as noise is kept within reason.
  
• Dogs are permitted if they are on a leash.
• The Orchard is open 7 days a week all year round, with the exception of some days around Christmas.
• Sunday is their busiest day. It's best to try to go early on a weekday.
• Postcode: CB3 9ND

Antique/Market Shopping

If you love antiques, then England is the right place for you! Everywhere you look, shops and markets are brimming with antiques and nic-nacs. And most of them are reasonably priced!

Waterside Antiques - located in Ely, about 25 minutes from RAF Mildenhall, this three-story antique shop is a lot of fun to look around. I go here quite often and have found some VERY good deals and some VERY overpriced items, too. But, I still keep going back! The staff are very friendly and it's located right along the River Ouse, next to Peacocks Tea Room (but that's another post).

Norwich Market - located in Norwich, about an hour from RAF Mildenhall, Norwich Market has just about everything you can imagine. And because of recent renovations, almost all of the stands are covered, making shopping in the English rain a little easier! It's actually the largest weekly open-air market in England. The market is open daily from Monday to Saturday. Love this one!

Cambridge General Market - located in Cambridge, about 25 minutes from RAF Mildenhall, the Cambridge Market is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4 pm. They have a little bit of everything. There are centrally located, in the very heart of Cambridge. There is a booth there that I always stop at - they squeeze organic fruit juice right in front of you and sell frozen organic treats in the summer - so yummy.

SatNav

In my opinion, Satellite Navigation (SatNav) is one of the best investments you can make when you live in England. Especially if you plan to travel a lot. British (and most European) roads are notoriously confusing. If you are JUST ARRIVING at RAF Mildenhall, you are eligible to rent a SatNav system from the Airman & Family Readiness Center FREE OF CHARGE while you learn your way around/look for a house/etc. I HIGHLY recommend using this service! I wish I had known about it when we moved here. If you're arriving soon and would like more information, please email me at rafmildenhallblog@hotmail.co.uk.

Day Out - Stamford/Burghley House

The picturesque village of Stamford is located in the county of Lincolnshire, about an hour and a half drive from RAF Mildenhall. It is known as the "Finest Stone Town in England" because many of the buildings are constructed from old Lincolnshire limestone. The town has been used as the backdrop in several movies including The Da Vinci Code and Pride and Prejudice - and despite it's small population boasts many lovely restaurants, pubs and beautiful churches. It also has some great antique shopping. I highly recommend spending a day browsing their shops - we found some wonderful deals. The post code for Stamford is: PE9 1AE.

Just outside the town is Burghley House - a magnificent Elizabethan mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Da Vinci Code, Pride and Prejudice and Elizabeth: The Golden Age were also filmed here.

Burghley House -

• The house is open from the end of March until the end of October.
• Admission (for house and gardens) is £11.30 for adults and £5.60 for kids.
• A Family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) is £29.
• Gift shop and restaurant on site.
• The Park is open all year and admission is free.
• Dogs are allowed in The Park but must be on a leash.
• Only registered Guide Dogs are allowed inside the house.
• Strollers/prams are welcome in the gardens, but not in the house as there are stairs.
• Post Code: PE9 3JY

Day Out - Henry Watson Potteries

Located about 45 minutes from RAF Mildenhall is the famous Henry Watson Potteries Shop. They've been in business since the early 19th century making beautifully handcrafted kitchenware. The BX used to occasionally sell Henry Watson items, but I haven't seen them on base in over a year and a half. The shop is located on a tiny road and can be hard to find. I've been out to the pottery shop about six times, so, if you'd like to visit and want more detailed directions, please feel free to email me. It is definitely worth the trip!

• Henry Watson Potteries is located in Wattisfield, near Diss, in Suffolk.
• They're open seven days a week (including Bank Holidays except for Easter Sunday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day).
• There is a small tea room/coffee shop.
• Opening times are Monday-Saturday: 9:30 am - 5 pm and Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm.
• I would not recommend taking children to this shop. Basically everything in the shop is breakable and there is nothing for children to do there.
• Car park and admission to the shop are both free.
• There is also a small picnic area.
• Post Code: IP22 1NH