Local Area

Characterised by open spaces and big ever changing skies the Essex countryside is perfect for a stroll or a leisurely picnic. The Dedham Vale and Stour Valley embraces one of our most cherished landscapes. Picturesque villages, rolling farmland, rivers, meadows, ancient woodlands and a wide variety of local wildlife combine to create what many describe as the traditional English lowland landscape. The Dedham Vale was immortalised by John Constable in his paintings over 200 years ago.

Take A12. At JCT 29,exit toward Colchester.Continue straight. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Ipswich Rd heading to Colchester. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Cowdray Ave.Continue to follow A133. At Westway, take the 1st exit onto Westway.Continue to follow A134. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Maldon Rd/B1022. Turn left onto Beaconsfield Ave/B1026. Turn left onto Layer Rd/B1026

The Beth Chatto Gardens began in 1960. From an overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows it has been transformed into an informal garden harmonising with the surrounding countryside.

Where theatre comes to life. Enjoy plays, musicals and other events put on by Mercury Theatre.

A visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of some of the most important events in British History. Once the capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation, invasion and siege. Since the 16th century, the Castle has been a ruin, a library and a gaol for witches. Today it is an award winning museum featuring many hands displays to help explain the town's people's experience of Colchester's varying fortunes.

STOKE BY NAYLAND is a village in Suffolk located in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are a vibrant community of approximately 700 people from all walks of life. We have schools, pubs, a garage, a post office, a wonderful village hall and many other local facilities and amenities. Though the village is steeped in history and has a number of historically significant buildings it offers far more than the past and the picturesque.

Come see the wide variety of animals on display at the Colchester Zoo. Be hands on with select feeding times, interactive displays, and get up close with some of the more cuddlier animals. Or sign up for their Zoo Keeper for a Day Experience. The Colchester Zoo has something for every age!

Enjoy a relaxing 18 holes of golf, take in the 9 hole golf academy or just hitting balls on the driving range, whatever you are looking for Lexden Golf Course has it for you.

One of this country's most dramatic buildings, Layer Marney Tower stands within the Essex landscape, commanding views to the River Blackwater and beyond. Built in the reign of Henry VIII it was visited by that most powerful of monarchs - and by his equally strong willed daughter, Elizabeth I. Layer Marney Tower now welcomes visitors from around the world, who come to enjoy the architecture, gardens and landscape. Visit their websites to see what events are taking place during your visit!

The romantic lure of Island life is alive and well just off the coast of Essex. Mersea Island, nestled between the river Blackwater and Colne estuaries is approximately nine miles south-east of Colchester, and is without doubt one of the county's best kept secrets. The island is approximately five miles by two miles, and has a perimeter of twelve miles encompassing the town of West Mersea and the village of East Mersea. You can take in the beaches or take a fishing trip!

Clacton has lovely sandy beaches, safe sea bathing, water sports, a Victorian pier with undercover amusements & fun fair, Pubs, Clacton clubs, cafes and Restaurants.

Tiptree, the home of the Wilkin family. They've been farming here for nearly three hundred years. The very first Tiptree conserves were made here in 1885 and to this day they still specialize in fruit growing on the Tiptree estates. On the premises is a visitor centre, museum, tea house and jam shop. After enjoying their wonderful jam at breakfast take a tour of the jam shop to see how and where it is made.

Witham is a pleasant Georgian town with a history that dates back to the time of King Alfred, located at the very heart of Essex, midway between Colchester and Chelmsford. Taking a stroll around Witham you will discover a wealth of 16th century buildings, in particular the timber-framed Elements Bar (formerly the Spread Eagle Inn). Witham's current Town Hall was once the George Coaching Inn and has a history spanning 500 years.

Built as a rail ferry port in the 1880s by the Great Eastern Railway, Harwich International Port has developed and expanded over more than a century into a highly efficient, modern, multipurpose port. The Port, originally named Parkeston Quay after Great Eastern’s chairman Charles Parks, was privatised in 1984. Strategically located in the southeast quadrant of the UK, Harwich International Port is on the southern side of the River Stour.