Rural areas in Essex/Suffolk

[Katienew26]

Just wondered whether anybody could recommend any nice rural area in Suffolk/Essex. Needs to be within a 2 hr commute to London and preferably without a main road running through the middle of it. We currently live in a village in Essex but the area around it is very built up. I would love to find an area which has lovely countryside walks and bridleways to ride on, or possibly even near to the coast. I love the idea of living near the coast, although I haven't heard very good things about the Essex coast which puts me off a bit

Have just been for a weekend away to North Norfolk and loved how quiet and rural it was. Unfortunately it's too far from work/family for us too live there but wondered whether any similar places exist which are closer

Thanks to anyone who can help

North Essex / South Suffolk is the area I grew up in. The area includes Gainsborough country around Sudbury and Constable country around Dedham. Lavenham and Long Melford are lovely and characterful though the later does have a main road.

Commutes into London are not quick, but well within your 2 hours is certainly possible.

The villages around Manningtree might be worth a look as it has direct trains to London in an hour. Marks Tey on the other side of Colchester similarly. Braintree also has trains to London in about an hour - but I would focus on villages north of Braintree.

Burnham on Crouch?