Lets explore the best places to visit in Essex: 1. For those seeking a bit of an adventure, there are numerous water-sports you can partake in, including kayaking and paddle-boarding. "Best beach in Essex (in my opinion!) Today, what is left of the castle is mainly ruins and is owned and maintained by English Heritage. The size and grandeur of the house, Located just to the West of picturesque Saffron Waldon, is breathtaking. For those who fancy a dip in safety, the beach is monitored by lifeguards. We've compiled our six … The best hotels in Essex, chosen by our expert, including luxury hotels, boutique hotels, budget hotels and Essex hotel deals. It is easily accessible and is located on the opposite side of the estuary to Mersea island. Make sure you also include a visit to Colchester Castle. As the tallest Tudor gatehouse in the UK the Layer Marney Tower boats fantastic views from the top. Hadleigh Castle is no exception, it offers breathtaking panoramas over the Thames estuary all the way into Kent. Explore the most beautiful places to visit in Essex. Hyde Hall has it all, resplendent gardens, jaw-dropping panoramic landscapes, pretty little ponds and all manner of wildlife. A post shared by Beth Sadler (@beth_sadler_1999) on Apr 11, 2017 at 7:55am PDT. There are no kiosks or shops selling buckets and spades here, just well-tended promenade gardens, benches, and serenity. A post shared by Emily Kench (@emilywench) on Apr 5, 2017 at 1:18pm PDT. In spring and throughout summer the rolling grassland is dotted with outbreaks of wildflowers. Connaught water is one of the better-known lakes in the forest and is not far from Chingford, providing excellent parking and facilities, a manageable walk, and the option to feed the numerous waterfowl which inhabit the lake all year round. Whatever the reason, Constable Country in the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley is home to some of the county's most celebrated landscapes and is well worth a visit. As one of the oldest towns in Essex and oozing charm, Maldon is a jewel of a town. A world of vibrant colours and wonderful aromas you can enjoy a stroll through the different gardens before relaxing with tea and scones at the garden's tea room. Frinton is the less commercial version of Walton-on-the-Naze. The gardens in particular are an ideal venue for a picnic or just a lovely photo opportunity. Top Essex Gardens: See reviews and photos of gardens in Essex, England on Tripadvisor. It has lots of historic features which make it a wonderful little village to explore. Its coast offers some of the best sunsets of England. Essex is one of those counties you need to visit several times to fully explore and truly appreciate. It’s one of the few places in the UK where you can board a Thames barge, which at one point in time would have crowded the docks at Hythe Quay, loading and unloading their wares. Occupying a space of more than 520 acres you can wander to your heart’s content. Located on the Essex coast at the mouth of the River Blackwater is the village of Tollesbury, which for centuries has been known for its exportation of oysters and has survived ever since on this trade. 10 Southend Pier. Piers, sandy beaches, ice creams, and fish and chips. If you have a passion for history and you're keen on relaxing in front of some unique views, Layer Marney Tower is a must. It’s also a gorgeous corner of the South East which sometimes gets overlooked as a travel destination from visitors coming further afield. To send a link to this page you must be logged in. He counts Cuba, Tanzania, Amsterdam, Laos and Cambodia as his favourite destinations. They are met with a sea of green that demonstrates just how marvellous the Essex countryside is. WIN £200 of beauty treatments with The Glamour Room! If you were to go in a travel dictionary and look up ‘stereotypical Home Counties village’, chances are you would find a picture of Finchingfield. Colchester Castle. In the early 1800s Southend came to the attention of Georgian high society when Princess Caroline visited with her five-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte. A beautiful spot in Harwich with a charming view. It is famous, among other things, for its beautiful landscapes, picturesque castles and lovely beaches. 17 Picture-Perfect Places In Essex #nofilter by Kate Jordan BuzzFeed Contributor 1. A post shared by Rowland Wright (@rowlandwright) on Apr 9, 2017 at 12:30pm PDT. If discovering lakes and treading meandering forest trails through leafy green vistas are your thing, look no further. Now at the heart of an urban area with almost 300,000 inhabitants, Southend was just a cluster of fishing huts on the Thames Estuary at the end of the 18th century. There is a great selection of places to go fishing in Essex. A post shared by sue mutton (@muttosue) on Mar 31, 2017 at 4:44am PDT. From sublime countryside and coastal towns to bustling cities filled with night club loving residents, Essex – just like many its residents – is quite a character! So much in fact he now travels the world as a trading digital nomad, exploring the sizzling street markets of Bangkok to yoga retreat dotted Sri Lanka and everything in between! Now they offer afternoon tea or sightseeing tours. For the artists amongst you will know Dedham as ‘Constable country’, whom the area has a lot to thank for; his detailed landscape oil paintings inspired by the area are considered revolutionary in the art world. If you are looking for the best commuter hub into London, the only way is Essex. Part of the South-Eastern counties of UK, Essex is naturally very beautiful. The Strawberry Hill Ponds can be found in the Epping Forest between Connaught Water and Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge. Where are the best places to live in Essex? If you would like to add a fishery in Essex, please send in the details. If you want plenty to see and do then Colchester will certainly keep you busy. It’s a pleasant place to spend an afternoon taking advantage of the many shops, restaurants, and cafes. The house itself shines like a white beacon amidst the pleasant green grounds. You want to ensure there are enough high-quality local schools, entertainment and family activities to be had at the weekend. The surrounding gardens and fields provide views akin to those you would expect to see on your favourite period drama with landscaped parkland, beautiful gardens and open countryside. The pier is filled with history being home to the Visitor Centre and the 'Christopher Jones and the Mayflower' Exhibition. Essex England England Uk Great Places Beautiful Places Colchester Essex Roman Britain Roman History Kirchen British Isles The Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, England The Balkerne gate in Colchester is the oldest surviving intact Roman gateway in the UK. The village ‘feel’ in this town almost borders on the ridiculous. Admission for April is £6.95 and increases to £7.95 from May. Find and book deals on the best places to stay in Essex, the United Kingdom! Sadly, as time passed it fell out of favour and was eventually commissioned for demolition. There are plenty of places to see and visit in Essex. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a922f11569901ed1f07d98d825e5d47b" );document.getElementById("b4f74bb5fa").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, Copyright © 2020 GlobalGrasshopper.com | All Rights ReservedHeader photo by @garyansome. Which is honestly a shame as they’re missing out on some of the best sites and beauty spots England has to offer. Located in the very centre of the county of Essex it has good transport links and is easy to get to. A post shared by ☕️Donna Vallance (@donswishes_london) on Nov 5, 2015 at 3:28am PST. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In fact, people from all over the world visit this county for vacations and not just British people. Then travel along Graces Walk, and up along the canal pathways towards the … Essex is not traditionally associated with idyllic, laid back island life, but Mersea offers exactly that. Perch amongst the ancient tree roots on the banks of the pond and try to spot the wildfowl hiding on the small island in the ponds centre, or marvel at the way the light is reflected off the waters surface in the sunshine. What could be better? A post shared by Nick (@pollysmate) on Jul 14, 2012 at 3:27am PDT. Located just to the North of Braintree, the village isn’t exactly a tourist epicentre, but that’s what gives it most of its charm. Promenade Park, known locally as ‘The Prom’ offers short picturesque walks and the ability to sit and people watch and maybe grab a bite to eat. Quaint, sleepy villages set against the backdrop of rolling farmland and ancient meadows. The Western side of the island is ideal for a postcard-perfect beach day, complete with multi-coloured huts, sandy beaches, seafood restaurants, and maybe a cheeky pint or glass of wine in one of its many pubs. Beautiful sandy beach on the Tendring sunshine coast, great for walking the dog, building sandcastles and paddling." Take your pick from well established natural venues to modern day commercials. From picture-perfect Constable country and pretty historic towns to grand stately homes and long beaches filled with golden sand, here are the best and most beautiful places to visit in Essex, UK…. The exact date that Hadleigh Castle was built is unknown but it is believed to be around 1215 during the reign of Henry III. With direct services to London, Thorpe bay is easy to reach regardless of where you travel from. Visitors can enjoy impressive views of the vast stretching fields and Essex marshes that are low lying around the old towers. Visit top Housed within are the usual village staples of beam fronted buildings and tearooms. Essex is home to some of the most stunning vistas in the UK. It might not be quite as fashionable as Mersea but boasts many of the same features. From a historical point of view, the house has had an interesting past. Whilst the castle isn’t exactly in tip-top condition if you use your imagination you might be able to envisage its former glory in days gone by. Essex is one of those counties you need to visit several times to fully explore and truly appreciate. If the crowds are too great the nearby market town of Saffron Walden offers pastel-coloured tea shops and black and white timbered pubs where you can grab a bite to eat and relax. There’s a bat maternity roost on … Audley End House is a 17th-century mansion that has undergone various renovations, and at one point even accommodated King Charles II. "The rolling beaches are amazing - the ability to walk over 2 miles through to Walton pier and beyond is great for families, dog walkers and couples alike. For some atmospheric and brooding photography, you won’t find a better venue (just check the weather first as it can get a bit ‘breezy’). Definitely visit the Abbey itself and also the pretty gardens and if you want a bit of excitement the Royal Gunpowder Mills are a top-rated attraction, with interactivity that will set your trip off with a bang. It’s excellent transport links mean it is easy to get to. Take the day to walk the 13 miles around the island, and catch the breathtaking sunset from the beach. Located a 15-minute drive from Brentwood, deer, rolling meadows and stunning views are what make Weald Country Park special. A post shared by James Alexander-Sinclair (@jamesasinclair) on Oct 18, 2016 at 6:47am PDT. The Beth Chatto Gardens have some of the best views simply because they change with the seasons. As she publishes ‘Essex Girls’, the author of ‘The Essex Serpent’ shares a list of her favourite places in her home county Marks Hall Marks Hall, near the village of Coggeshall, is a beautiful formal garden and arboretum – and one of the most enchanting places I have ever visited. Despite the best efforts of reality television to portray Essex as party central for the loud and proud wannabe WAG brigade, the county has a great deal of beautiful rural countryside. Located just to the southwest of Chelmsford, the Hylands House is situated in over 570 acres of beautiful parkland. It was used in World War II to train covert Polish operatives before they were parachuted into enemy territory, if this is an area that you find particularly interesting, English Heritage offer guided tours, detailing this and other facts from the house’s 400-year history. Five different gardens, each with a different theme - water, woodland, gravel, scree and reservoir. Located to the South of Essex on the mouth of the Thames Estuary, Thorpe Bay is another offering for you to enjoy if you like the seaside. Essex is a well known county of South-East England. For the artists amongst you will know Dedham as ‘Constable country’, whom the area has a lot to thank for; his detailed landscape oil paintings inspired by the area are considered revolutionary in the art world. Essex is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. A post shared by Ana Marta (@ana.marta.76) on Jan 14, 2017 at 9:49am PST. The oldest town, not just in Essex but the entire country, Colchester was the capital of Roman Britain for a time. A post shared by Sharon Rajan (@sharonrajan100) on Oct 9, 2016 at 4:31am PDT. ‘The Peoples Forest’ is awash with beauty and indeed, History. There's a reason this land has been an inspiration for generations of musicians and artists, perhaps it's the wide open vistas or the diverse wildlife. As a kid he was lucky enough to live for many years in some exotic far-flung locations and since then he’s developed a taste for new cultures. 7 of the best Italian restaurants in Essex. Featuring a promenade there are many activities to indulge in, whether that is simply paddling or trying to catch an angry crab. If you like a bit of structure then there are five guided trails to follow. Day hikes in Essex will take you anywhere you want to go. For those who love Victoriana or if you want to indulge your inner ‘Mr Darcy,’ there are Victorian pleasure gardens to stroll around, laden with various floral wonders and neatly striped lawns and hedges. This is easily one of the prettiest places to visit in Essex! Situated on the East Coast, Walton-on-the-Naze is full of traditional British beachside charm. As a happy historical coincidence, castles were designed to give the best possible views over their surroundings. Lying just to the north of Epping Forest you could even combine the pair for a super full day out. There are plenty of shops and restaurants catering to a variety of tastes. If you’ve got the motivation it is possible to walk from one to the other, and back (there is also a regular bus, however). We have reviews of the best places to see in Essex. It's little wonder that holidays here have always been popular as the county has more than 350 miles of coastline, some beautiful sandy beaches and one of the sunniest climates in the country. Plan your next hike or cycling adventure to one of the 20 top attractions. Thorpe Bay is ideal if you want to escape the busier hustle and bustle of Southend-on-Sea. Cudmore Grove National Park is a natural haven offering both bird watchers, and picnic aficionados alike, a space to indulge in what they love. For the more active visitor, a fun afternoon can be spent floating along the River Stour in a rowing boat taking in the stunning Essex views. If this has caught your attention then Colchester Castle should be your first stop. Historic Towns and villages to visit in Essex, part of the Historic Essex Guide - we're passionate about history! Instagrammable places and spaces in Essex Six of the best Matthew Chapman #essexlife Looking for the most instagrammable places and spaces in Essex? There are deer held in an enclosure that you can feed by hand, and for those with children to occupy (if the deer were not enough) the stick man play trail offers a good 2km walk with climbing, swinging, and crawling along the way. The entire park is open to the public so you are free to wander and roam. It was formed in 1830 after a large amount of gravel was excavated from the area for construction of nearby roads. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination. Essex’s appeal has always … So a long history indeed! You can dive into history at the old burying ground or the Essex Shipbuilding Museum . Whether you are a walker (with or without a dog), a cyclist, an equestrian enthusiast, or a city type who just wants a quick ‘break’, Epping forest is a treasure and a beautiful place to visit in Essex. Admission is free to the Queens Hunting Lodge, where rumour has it, Henry VIII used to take potshots at the occasional passing deer. Copped Hall is currently protected and maintained by the Copped Hall Trust, they work to restore the site and its grounds for the local community. Whilst ideal for a day trip and for those looking to ‘escape’ London, there are also numerous guest houses suiting various budgets, making it ideal for a weekend getaway – definitely up there as one of the best places to visit in Essex county! A post shared by Matthew (@matt5035) on Sep 13, 2013 at 4:45am PDT. Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Essex, England from Talliston House & Gardens to The Bronze Relief of Edward Bright . The castle is housed in the centre of a park, so on good weather days, you can take advantage of the grounds. Moving home with a family isn’t an easy task. The castle can be a challenge to walk to, with limited parking, so take something supportive to wear on your feet. It is easy to see why John Constable gained so much inspiration from what he saw. This regal Georgian Mansion offers views that will transport you back to the classic romance novels of the 19th Century. Ever since he was knee-high to a grasshopper Michael has always been a sucker for an adventure. "Last summer there was a fabulous sculpture exhibition here and in the summer holidays our children have enjoyed a pre bookable tree climbing experience, which was great fun!." Ideas for places to visit in England, with thousands of unique, beautiful photos Saffron Walden is a picturesque medieval market town in north-west Essex, 18 miles south of Cambridge. Rich in culture and activities Waltham Abbey offers a one-stop shop. This page lists Coggeshall - Thaxted. Top Places to Visit in Essex, England: See Tripadvisor's 7,13,057 traveller reviews and photos of Essex attractions. The Eastern side has a slightly different flavour. Explore guest reviews and book the perfect place to stay for your trip. He also has a special fondness for exotic cuisine and fine wine and definitely knows his clarets from his chiantis. Dedham – one of the most famously stunning places to explore in Essex This is easily one of the prettiest places to visit in Essex! Essex is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. Find a seat on one of the benches along the pier and relax whilst watching the ships heading off into the North Sea. 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