East of England

Bedfordshire is home to the University of Bedfordshire, and Cranfield University (postgraduate only), plus Barnfield College, and Central Bedfordshire College.

The local delicacy is the ‘Bedfordshire Clanger’, a pastry with a savoury filling at one end, and a sweet filling at the other – the perfect snack for students on the go.

If you’re planning a cheap holiday with mates, Luton Airport serves many European destinations.

Cambridgeshire is home to the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University, plus Cambridge Regional College and Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts.

There’s lots more to the county than punting on the River Cam, such as the area’s burgeoning tech sector.

Meanwhile, Ely is one of the country’s smallest cities, with a beautiful cathedral that’s been featured in The Crown.

Essex is home to the University of Essex, plus University Centre South Essex and Harlow College.

Many famous faces hail from here – aside from the TOWIE cast, including Dame Helen Mirren, Rupert Grint, and Russell Brand.

Essex has one of the country’s longest coastlines. Stretching 350 miles, it features the world’s longest pleasure pier, in Southend-on-Sea.

Hertfordshire is home to the University of Hertfordshire, plus North Hertfordshire College.

The county could pop up once or twice on your average pub quiz. St Albans was once Britain’s second city, while the Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub is one of the oldest in the country – allegedly, tunnels run to it from the nearby Cathedral, which were once used by monks.

Norfolk is home to the University of East Anglia and Norwich University of the Arts, plus City College Norwich and Easton College.

Norfolk’s clear skies make it one of the few spots in the UK where you can see the spectacular northern lights.

Meanwhile, Norwich is England’s first UNESCO City of Literature. Among other accolades, Julian of Norwich produced the first English work written by a woman, here.

Suffolk is home to the University of Suffolk, plus West Suffolk College.

Hometown boy Ed Sheeran was inspired by the town of Framlingham and its castle, when he wrote ‘Castle On The Hill’.

Just don’t mention Suffolk’s short-lived tourist slogan, ‘The Curious County’, which was loathed by all. A local MP even stressed that, ‘there is nothing curious about what we have to offer’.