Welcome to Essex

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ESSEX THE COUNTY’S BEST ATTRACTIONS | DINING | SHOPPING | NIGHTLIFE | CULTURE

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Contents

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09 Welcome Discover stunning towns, pretty villages and an ever-changing coastline.

10 Love Essex There are many reasons to love it here – try some of these for starters.

12 History & heritage Go back in time to discover a region renowned for its ancient past.

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14 Days out With hidden gems, iconic landmarks and popular tourist attractions, Essex truly has something for everyone.

26 Weekender Tight for time? Here are some ideas for a memorable short break to Essex.

28 Shopping Shopaholics will love this county for its mix of boutiques, high street staples and independents.

WELCOME TO ESSEX

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CONTENTS

36 36 Eating out From ramen to risotto and vegan to steakhouse, every type of food lover is catered for here.

44 Arts & culture Essex is full of inspiring arts and culture and overflowing with festivals and exhibitions.

49 After dark Stylish bars, cosy pubs, live music and jumping clubs – this region really comes alive after dark.

56 Sport & leisure There are plenty of opportunities to participate in sport here – but those who prefer to watch are well-catered for too.

58 Travel Getting to this region couldn’t be simpler and visitors can also get around with ease.

60 Beyond Essex Although Essex has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure.

62 Photo finish A final look at the beautiful county of Essex – beautiful sunset over the beach at West Mersea.

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WELCOME

Welcome to Essex Discover stunning towns, pretty villages and an ever-changing coastline

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Southend Pier

elcome to the wonderful county of Essex – and may we congratulate you on your choice of destination. Essex is a real county of contrasts offering a rich tapestry of everything that makes Britain great. There is a wonderful collection of old and new here. Essex manages to combine ancient and modern, fascinating towns and villages and ever-changing coastlines to create the perfect day trip or short break. It boasts the palatial splendour of historic houses such as Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, to newly created architectural masterpieces such as Firstsite in Colchester.

There are numerous places to visit and explore including historic houses and gardens, museums, theatres, outdoor activities and much more. And plenty of high-quality places to stay, too.

There are plenty of events for the whole family to enjoy throughout the year, from fairs and festivals to concerts and theatre, and some of the freshest, finest food available, whether it’s fish and chips by the sea, or a gourmet dinner in luxurious surroundings.

Essex is a stone’s throw from London’s doorstep and is served by an excellent rail network and local bus routes as well as accessible travel links from all over the UK and Europe. So you have no excuse not to come back and visit again – and please make it soon!

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“Essex manages to combine ancient and modern, fascinating towns and villages and everchanging coastlines to create the perfect day trip or short break”

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Reasons to love this county…

There are many reasons to love it here – try some of these for starters

FAMILY FUN Essex has so much to offer to families who are looking for something to do. As well as the world-famous Colchester Zoo, we’ve got parks and forests to explore, amusement arcades, piers, trampoline parks, go-karting tracks, libraries, cinemas, theatres – the list goes on! It’s almost impossible to spend a day in Essex without finding something fun for the whole family to enjoy.

HISTORY Essex has a wealth of historical sites and the county has several National Trust properties and parks. Colchester, formerly known as ‘Camulodunum’, is the oldest town in the UK and was of great importance during Roman times as it was the first ever capital of the UK.

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LOVE ESSEX

COUNTRYSIDE Rural Essex is a sight to behold, offering walkers miles of unspoiled countryside with rolling hills, river trails and woodland to take in.

There are dozens of well-signposted routes around the county, ranging in length from a couple of miles right up to The Essex Way, which is 86 miles long.

You’ll also love…

NIGHTLIFE Essex is home to some of the best-known nightclubs and pubs in the whole of the UK and the people of Essex seriously know how to have fun! It’s unusual to find a venue which doesn’t have a fantastic atmosphere and many of our towns and cities are one-stop destinations for people looking for a night of partying.

PROXIMITY TO LONDON While we’re not suggesting that London is in ANY way superior to our county, we do understand the need to occasionally head into the Big Smoke, and Essex is perfectly positioned to allow you to do that.

Whether it’s for work or pleasure, hopping on the train from any of Essex’s wellmaintained train stations is a simple task which will take you right into the heart of the City.

COASTLINE With ‘staycations’ becoming more popular than ever, Essex beaches make the prospect of a summer in England so much more appealing.

Essex has a total of five Blue Flag beaches and further 14 beaches have won ‘Seaside Awards’, giving you a huge amount of options for a day at the seaside.

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SHOPPING Essex has more than its fair share of places to shop, from Lakeside Shopping Centre right through to the many farmers’ markets that operate around the county on a weekly basis.

Don’t forget your reusable bags and your debit card!

ENTREPRENEURSHIP As well as being the starting place for some of the world’s most famous brands, Essex is a hive of small business activity too, with a level of entrepreneurialism unseen in other counties. Essex County Council actually runs several training courses for people wishing to go into business for themselves, making it the perfect destination if you like to support small businesses and buy from local, trustworthy firms.

COUNTRY PUBS One of the added benefits of Essex having so much countryside is the fact that this also means a lot of country pubs. There are many little hostelries dotted around the villages and hamlets in Essex, offering a warm hearth and top-quality ales, with the option of a cracking roast dinner if you’re feeling peckish.

PEOPLE Essex has produced some pretty huge talents over the years – Maggie Smith, Rik Mayall, Juliet Stevenson, Joan Sims, The Prodigy, Olly Murs, Jamie Oliver, Grayson Perry, Rupert Grint, Jessie J, Billy Bragg, Dudley Moore, Frank Lampard, Graham Gooch and Damon Albarn of Blur all hail from our fair county.

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Essex through the ages Go back in time to discover a county renowned for its ancient past

espite having a reputation for hustle and bustle, glamour and fake tan, Essex is actually a place jam-packed with history.

Colchester was once the capital of Roman Britain, and is still the oldest recorded town in the country, though it nearly didn’t survive the ire of one of the nation’s foremost folk heroes, Boudicca, who razed it almost to the ground in AD 61 in protest at Roman rule.

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SAXONS Once the Romans took their leave in the 5th century, the Saxons moved in and it’s from them that the county derived the name which it still bears to this day. The word ‘Essex’ has its roots in the Old English name Ēastseaxe, meaning East Saxons, and refers to the Germanic tribes who invaded and made the county (and much of the rest of the country) their home.

Much later, in 1381, Wat Tyler’s Rebellion – otherwise known as the Peasant’s Revolt – began in Brentwood and the uprising, which spread beyond Essex into York, Scarborough

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and Somerset, came to be regarded as a defining moment in British history.

With its 350 miles of coastline, Essex has, perhaps unsurprisingly, had its fair share of smugglers over the centuries, too. And many used the miles of inlets and small islands dotted around the county’s shore to ply their trade, bringing in tea, coffee and gin.

The fight against such men was undertaken with the utmost dedication by Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise, and one of the ships which was moored in the mouth of the River Roach, to serve as a customs outpost, was none other than HMS Beagle, the ship upon which Charles Darwin spent five years of his life while he was formulating the ideas which would come to have a life-altering impact on all of humanity.

And not far from some oyster beds, just outside of the parish of Paglesham, the wreck of this iconic vessel rests to this very day.

While some locals used boats, others preferred the comfort of horseback from which to break the law. One such

Above A performer in Elizabethan costume, Audley End House, Saffron Walden; Opposite page top to bottom Hadleigh Castle; Ancestor sculpture by Helena Stylianides at Waltham Abbey

HISTORY & HERITAGE

©CHRIS DORNEY/MARTIN CHARLES HATCH/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; HAYDEN/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

scoundrel was Richard ‘Dick’ Turpin, who was born in the little village of Hempstead, just outside of Saffron Walden, and most Britons are well aware of his nefarious exploits!

There is, of course, much more to the county than historical civil disobedience and criminal enterprise. The world’s first radio factory was opened on a quiet, cobbled street in Chelmsford in 1912 by Guglielmo Marconi, the Italian inventor and engineer who is widely credited as being the inventor of radio.

FOULNESS ISLAND Among the marshes on the north shore of the Thames Estuary, you’ll find Foulness Island, a shady little place which was once home to the United Kingdom’s super-secret Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, which produced the country’s very first atomic device and a place which was at the core of the government’s Cold War plans.

So, whether your interest in history goes back to our Roman conquerors, or is more contemporary, you’ll find the county of Essex an ideal place in which to lose yourself in our exciting past.

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Great days out for all With hidden gems, iconic landmarks and popular tourist attractions, Essex truly has something for everyone

hen it comes to days out, there are few places in the South East with a richer array of choices than Essex. Whether you’re looking for something to do as a family or activities which are adults-only, you’re sure to find something which piques your interest in and around this wonderful county. With a large stretch of coastline and vast amounts of green spaces, as well as the many important towns and cities to visit, Essex has more on offer than you might have realised.

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SOUTHEND SEAFRONT Perhaps one of the most prominent Essex locations for a day out is Southend seafront, which has much to draw family visitors, and attracts an estimated 6.4 million tourists each year. As well as Adventure Island and the beaches from Leigh-on-Sea to Shoeburyness, three of which hold prestigious Blue Flag awards for cleanliness and water quality, there is also Southend Pier, which

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boasts the mantle of ‘World’s Longest Pleasure Pier’, extensive amusement arcades and a whole load of well-maintained parks to visit.

If you’re looking for a little more culture in the Southend area, then you may be more inclined to pay a visit to either of the town’s theatres – The Cliffs Pavilion or Palace Theatre, which have seen the likes of Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys and even The Drifters perform for delighted audiences.

Southend has an array of museums, from the Planetarium and Central Museum to the Beecroft Art Gallery and Prittlewell Priory, and the town’s rich history and wealth of artists speak volumes about the depth of culture and diversity in the area.

Hadleigh, on the outskirts of Southend, might be famous locally for being the site of Hadleigh Castle, but it was thrust onto the world stage back in 2012 when it

DAYS OUT

“Perhaps one of the most prominent Essex locations for a day out is Southend seafront, which has much to draw family visitors, and attracts an estimated 6.4 million tourists each year”

©DAVID WHITE/UNSPLASH; DAVID YOUNG11111/KANINSTUDIO/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

became the location for the mountain-biking events during the London Olympics. The track has been maintained as a tourist attraction, offering more than 18km of trail to suit all abilities and ages.

Moving away from the coast, the historic market town of Colchester is the oldest town in the county, and is said to be more than 2,000 years old. Colchester Castle was built in 1100BC as a Norman keep, and is perfect for a day out that combines fun and education. Across the road, you’ll find the Colchester Natural History Museum. Set in an old church, it sheds light on the surprisingly rich natural history of the area, including the days when mammoths roamed the land.

Gosbecks Archaeological Park is situated in the south west of the town, and is home to a number of hugely important historical sites, which are well worth a visit.

Colchester also boasts a visual arts facility which houses Firstsite, a contemporary gallery which hosts exhibitions on a six-month rolling basis. The centre was completed in 2011, and cost more than £25 million.

COLCHESTER ZOO On the outskirts of Colchester, you’ll find its star attraction, Colchester Zoo, which has earned itself a reputation as being arguably the best zoo in the country.

In 2020, it was named as one of the top attractions in the world by Trip Advisor, and was named Europe’s secondbest zoo in 2014.

The zoo is home to big cats, primates and birds, as well as a large number of invertebrates and fish species. The zoo is active in world conservation through its charitable outreach programmes, and is working in conjunction with a reserve in South Africa to house and rehabilitate many native species in the area.

The choice of animal parks across the county doesn’t stop there; as well as Marsh Farm, Hadleigh Farm Rare Breeds Centre and White Elm Petting Farm, there’s also Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, and Sealife Adventure on Southend seafront, giving you a broad range of species to see and appreciate.

Maldon is another hugely popular location for days out, with much to please both adults and children alike. Along the promenade are a number of pubs and restaurants in

which to while away a sunny afternoon with a pint of locally brewed ale and a plate of fish and chips, while the nearby Promenade Park houses a splash park, which is one of the most popular Essex day-trip destinations for families each summer.

Located on the River Blackwater, Maldon is a great place to go on a boat trip; leisure cruises are available seasonally from the docks, and allow you to see the town from the water, as well as giving you a closer look at the wildlife in the area. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, Mrs Salisbury’s Famous Tea Rooms is just off the main drag, and provides an exquisite afternoon tea from the blue-plaque house of the late Edward Bright, known as The Fat Man of Maldon.

Another town with a nautical leaning is Leigh-on-Sea, which offers a huge variety of eateries, places to shop, historical pubs and yearly events which have become a part of the town’s identity. The Leigh Regatta is held each u p17

Opposite page See a huge range of beautiful animals at Colchester Zoo; Above Get your adrenaline pumping by spending the day at Adventure Island in Southend-on-Sea

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DAYS OUT

September, while the yearly lights switch-on ahead of Christmas gives a more intimate and villagey feel than those in the larger surrounding towns. You can’t visit Leigh without a trip to Osborne’s Café to sample some of the finest seafood available in the world, and it’s recommended that you get there early so that you’re buying it at its very freshest.

Perhaps one of the most famous exports from Essex is Tiptree Jam, which holds the honour of being served in First Class on Virgin Atlantic flights, as well as being the jam of choice for the majority of five-star hotels across the UK. The Tiptree Jam Shop and Tea Room is a stunning location for afternoon tea, open seven days a week apart from at Christmas, and offers a wide selection of teas, home-made cakes and, of course, their world-famous jam, straight from the source.

Above Colourful beach huts from the BBC’s Interior Design Masters at Walton; Below Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea at the Tiptree Jam Shop and Tea Room

Design Masters. With accessible beaches and another fantastic pier, it’s a great place to go for a quintessentially English day out.

If walking is your activity of choice for a day out, then Essex is once again a good option. The county boasts 350 miles of coastline, as well as several rural routes which are well marked and often well punctuated by pubs for a quick refreshment break. If you’re looking for a challenge, you can embark on the Essex Way, stretching 82 miles across the county. u p21

SEASIDE FUN If you fancy a day by the sea, Essex has something for everyone. Southend is just a short train ride away from London, and is a popular weekend destination for people looking to get out of London.

Further east, you come to three popular and slightly different destinations dotted within a few miles of each other. Clacton, with its wide promenade, amusements and pier, makes for a great family day out. Alternatively, if you’d like something a little more sedate, you can look to Frinton or Walton.

The beach huts of Walton have recently developed a fame of their own, as they starred in the BBC show Interior

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Leigh Heritage Centre and Plumbs Cottage is a treasure trove of Leigh’s history with displays of artefacts and information for all visitors.

With a small shop selling local books and seaside gifts the centre is entirely run by volunteers who relish relating Leigh’s history to our many visitors. We welcome schools and groups by appointment.

Brightlingsea

Harbour Boat Trips

Ferry runs April – Sept.

Book tickets online

BRIGHTLINGSEA - POINT CLEAR - MERSEA ISLAND - WIVENHOE THE

Hidden Gem

COLNE

Brightlingsea offers a range of cafés, pubs and just a short promenade walk from where we drop you off there is a fantastic Blue Flag beach and sea water paddling pool.

CONNECTION

Pub Lunch River Cruise

Embrace the stunning coastal views and wildlife as our ferry takes you along the picturesque River Colne to Wivenhoe for a delicious meal at the Black Buoy Inn.

Mersea and Beyond

Explore Cudmore Grove Country Park by foot or by bike and admire the coastline and wildlife. Visit the vineyard and local restaurant for a perfect day out. � � � �

T: 01702 470834 • E: leighsociety@btinternet.com • T: 01702 4715117 for research into family and local history and all queries www.leighsociety.com for all information on what we have to offer Leigh Heritage Centre • 13A High Street • Leigh-on-Sea • SS9 2EN

Brightlingsea Foot Ferry Brightlingsea Foot Ferry Brightlingsea Harbour @bseaharbour

For further information:

Call 01206 302200 or visit www.brightlingseaharbour.org

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Discover some of the most rare and beautiful creatures at

Colchester Zoo is home to over 200 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes!

Visit the many different habitats and see our animals from around the world, from the humid habitat of our Komodo dragons to our very own African plain!

Your wild adventure awaits...

© Josh Dennington © Tom Smith

Check out our website or social media for the latest news, events, and information or download the Colchester Zoo App.

www.colchesterzoo.org

DAYS OUT

“Epping Forest offers miles of tranquil woodland, with the added benefit of being perched nearly on the Central line, with a direct connection into central London”

©KERKEZZ/SPLINE_X/PARROT/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Head to Dedham Vale, deep in the heart of ‘Constable Country’, for walks which are picturesque enough to have inspired one of the world’s most revered artists.

Mountnessing, Saffron Walden, Paglesham and Widdington are also great places to get your walking boots on and your camera in constant use.

While discussing the great outdoors, you can’t ignore the many beautiful forests which make up the vast green spaces in Essex. Hainault Forest was once the place where venison were hunted for the King’s table, and the remaining ancient woodland is still home to a wealth of plants and wildlife. It also offers a lake, petting zoo and an orienteering course, making it the perfect destination for a family day out.

TRANQUIL WOODLAND Epping Forest offers miles of tranquil woodland, with the added benefit of being perched nearly on the Central line, with a direct connection into central London.

With numerous vineyards in the county, sampling the local wine is a must. West Street Vineyard in Coggeshall offers wine tastings throughout the year, as well as lunch and afternoon tea (Wednesday to Sunday) and dinner on Friday and Saturday. Enjoy the relaxed setting and delicious food sourced from local producers, paired with wines produced from the award-winning vineyard.

Although Essex has a lot of ancient historical sites to visit, there are also places to see which were part of a more

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Above Take a peaceful stroll through the beautiful woodland of Epping Forest

recent era. The Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch was a cold war installation, intended to be used as a headquarters for Government in the event of a nuclear strike, and although it was decommissioned from official use in 1992, it still houses a museum which is dedicated to cold war history.

Shopping is all well and good if you’ve got a big budget, but if you’re a perennial bargain hunter, or just like the opportunity to seek out a diamond in the rough, then there are numerous markets around the county which are notorious for their combination of random tat, vintage gems and local fresh produce. North Weald Market is known among Essex natives for being a great place to shop, while markets in Romford, Great Dunmow and Waltham Abbey all come a very close second. Battlesbridge is the place to go if antiques are your thing.

You can’t discuss shopping in Essex without mentioning Lakeside, located in West Thurrock, and flanked by the M25 and A13. The shopping centre, when you factor in the surrounding retail parks, forms one of the largest shopping areas in a single location within Europe, with almost 2.6 million square feet of retail space on a site of 200 acres.

Alongside the shops, The Quay was recently launched, which includes Hollywood Bowl, Flip Out Adventure Park, Puttshack, and Nickelodeon Adventure – a family entertainment centre.

From the religion of shopping to something with slightly more depth; cathedrals are often places of u p25

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50 YEARS

Stoke by Nayland

R E S O R T

R E S O R T

Celebrating 50 years

Eat, play, relax & stay ... in the stunning Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty An award-winning, eco-friendly, family-owned Resort, set in 300 acres of beautiful Constable Country on the Essex/Suffolk border – Established 1972.

RELAX Relax and unwind in the tranquil countryside setting of Peake Spa. Enjoy an indulgent spa day or break, with excellent facilities, including an indoor heated pool, steam room, sanarium, Jacuzzi, Hammam, Rasul, and a wide range of pampering treatments.

ECO-RESORT Passionate about conservation, the Peake family has incorporated green practices in everything they offer. With the Resort and lodges using heat and power from their own sustainable energy sources, guests can enjoy their stay with the comforting thought of being kind to the environment.

EAT Enjoy locally sourced produce in award-winning restaurants with panoramic views.

From fine dining a la carte dishes, alfresco lunches and delicious afternoon teas, to hearty pub favourites with live TV sports, there’s something to suit every tastebud.

STAY A contemporary-style 80-bedroom hotel with exceptional service and fantastic facilities - the ideal place to relax and recharge.

You can also experience romantic getaways or friends and family gatherings in five beautiful, self-catered eco-lodges in an idyllic setting within the Resort grounds.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS In 2022, Stoke by Nayland Resort is celebrating its Golf Club’s 50th Anniversary! From gala dinners to family fun days and a Festival of Golf, SbN will be celebrating its golden year in style with events, activities and offers for all to enjoy.

PLAY Follow in the footsteps of famous golfers on two 18-hole championship golf courses.

With mature, tree-lined fairways, picturesque water features, a covered driving range and a golf simulator room, it is the perfect venue for golf breaks, days or events.

Deluxe Twin Room shown

Keepers Lane, Leavenheath, Colchester CO6 4PZ

T: 01206 262836

Scan the QR code to discover more. www.stokebynayland.com

VISIT MALDON DISTRICT Discover stunning coastlines, historic maritime towns and quaint rural villages, unique events and experiences!

Stay in some of Essex's most unique accommodation with country estates, cosy bed and breakfasts, camping and glamping to choose from.

Enjoy amazing experiences like riverside cruises, vineyard tours, art exhibitions, and a fantastic collection of museums and historic buildings.

So whether you come for a day, weekend or longer... there is something in the Maldon District for everyone!

GET IN TOUCH! tourism@maldon.gov.uk

www.visitmaldondistrict.co.uk

@MaldonTourism

@VisitMaldonDistrict

DAYS OUT

©ENGLISH HERITAGE

“Essex boasts several English Heritage sites, including numerous castles, and not least of all is Audley End House and Gardens, considered to be one of the finest country houses in the UK” interest to day trippers, and Essex has not one but two – one in Chelmsford and another in Brentwood.

Brentwood Cathedral is the newer of the two, dating back to 1861, and built in a Gothic style, although the building was enlarged in an Italianate Classical style by Quinlan Terry between 1989 and 1991. Chelmsford Cathedral is thought to be over 800 years old, and has been rebuilt and expanded several times over the years. It’s a popular tourist destination thanks to its architecture, artwork and links with Thomas Hooker, who was very influential in founding the US state of Connecticut.

Essex also boasts several English Heritage sites, including numerous castles, and not least of all is Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden, considered to be one of the finest country houses in the UK. As well as the house itself, there’s also a miniature steam railway to enjoy, a Victorian stable yard, an 1880’s service wing to explore, as well as an elf and fairy walk around the grounds, which both kids and adults find utterly spellbinding.

One of the more remarkable places to visit can be found

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Above Spend the day exploring Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden

on the borders at Stansted Mountfitchet. This historic site was an iron-age fort before it was settled in by the Saxons and the Vikings. In 1066, it was attacked by William the Conqueror, who built a motte and bailey castle there. That castle was destroyed in the English Civil War, but in 1975, its owner Alan Goldsmith hit upon a dream to restore it to its former glory. The result is a remarkable recreation of an ancient castle, which looks much the same as it would have done in its Norman heyday. As if that’s not enough, the site is also home to fallow dear, chickens and some geese, some life-sized dinosaurs and a haunted manor.

REMARKABLE COLLECTION Across the other side of the visitor centre, you can also see one of the best collections of antique toys. The House on the Hill Toy Museum has a remarkable collection of toys from the Victorian era to the modern day.

From the ultra-modern neon lights of Southend seafront to the historical locations which transport you back to a different time, as well as the countryside and the culture, Essex has a huge amount to offer to day trippers of all ages. Far from being the fake-tanned punchline of people’s jokes, this county has a rich selection of places to visit, which are light years away from the white-stilettoed image that was unfairly foisted upon the region in the 80s and 90s. The best thing to do is to visit Essex and see for yourself – guaranteed, you’ll want to come back for more.

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Only here for the weekend?

Tight for time? Here are some ideas for a memorable short break to Essex

WEEKENDER

©AUGUSTINE FOU/NIKITA TIKIHOMIROV/UNSPLASH; CRISTIAN BALATE/ KZENON/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; ING IMAGE; LAKESIDE SHOPPING CENTRE

“Considered one of the best spa experiences in the South East, you’ll choose from a selection of treatments which will rejuvenate mind and body”

DAY ONE Start the day with a bracing walk along Southend sea front, starting in Leigh-on-Sea at the cockle sheds and making your way from the traditional feel of Chalkwell and Westcliff, up to the ultra-modern rainbow neon lights of Southend and its amusement arcades. It’s a few miles from end to end, but the path adjacent to the sea wall is popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists because it’s well-paved and offers stunning views across the estuary.

Enjoy a pub lunch at The Spotted Dog in Great Dunmow, where the à la carte menu offers everything from sea bass to a wide variety of vegetarian dishes. The informal outdoor seating area provides the perfect setting for lunch if the weather is good, but the cosy indoor tables are perfect when the day is cooler.

Head to the airfield outside of Stapleford Tawney on the outskirts of Epping to take your day sky-high with a 30-minute flying lesson! You’ll receive one-to-one training from a CAA licensed instructor and as well as getting to see the county from a few thousand feet up, you’ll get a taste for what it’s like to pilot your own plane.

Head towards Chelmsford for dinner at Rettendon’s Le Benaix Bar & Brasserie. The French cuisine is seriously special and the restaurant’s cocktail menu will impress even the hardest to please. The chefs can boast training under such greats as Marco Pierre White and Albert Roux, which should give you an idea of the calibre of cuisine on offer.

DAY TWO Start your day at The Lifehouse Spa in Frinton-on-Sea. Considered one of the best spa experiences in the South

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Opposite page clockwise from top The bright lights of Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea; Enjoy dinner at one of the county’s many fantastic restaurants; Spend the day at Lakeside Shopping Centre; Above Make time for some serious relaxation; End your day with a cocktail or two

East, you’ll choose from a selection of treatments which will rejuvenate mind and body, ready for the rest of your day.

For lunch on day two, head to Stanley’s, also in Frintonon-Sea. With fabulous inside and outside dining options, this family run café serves fresh, locally sourced produce.

It’s time to splash the cash as you head for Lakeside Shopping Centre. Treat yourself to a new outfit ahead of the evening’s meal or simply browse the stores for your mental wish-list, but be sure to pop into Lush for a hand-made bathbomb to enjoy while you get ready for your night out.

Save the best until last by dining at The Blue Strawberry Bistrot in Hatfield Peverel, considered one of the finest eateries in Essex. The restaurant is quirky yet understated and uses only the finest ingredients in its diverse menus.

Diners with restricted diets are also catered for with various vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals and you can even enjoy a glass of Blue Strawberry wine, grown, fermented and bottled in nearby New Hall Vineyard specially for the restaurant’s customers.

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Shopping with style…

Shopaholics will love Essex for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, high street staples and quirky independents

lthough it might seem tempting to venture into London if you’re in the South East, with the capital just around the corner, there’s actually a vast array of great places to shop in Essex that rival the lure of the Big Smoke. From bargain basement to the high end, Essex is a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to splash the cash.

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VARIETY OF SHOPS The obvious place to start is Lakeside – the county’s largest shopping mall, known around the country for its variety of shops, entertainment experiences and eateries. Lakeside and its surrounding retail park represents one of the largest shopping destinations in the whole of Europe, consisting of over 250 stores inside the centre itself, as well as over 50 restaurants and flagship stores, such as Marks &

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Spencer, House of Fraser, Hamleys, Pandora and Primark.

It’s more than possible to lose an entire day browsing the shops and food outlets that Lakeside has to offer, with the latter covering everything from pie and mash to sushi, and just about everything else in between.

There’s also a newly opened leisure destination, which launched in the summer of 2019, called The Quay. This includes Hollywood Bowl, Flip Out Adventure Park, Puttshack, and Nickelodeon Adventure – a family entertainment centre.

Visitors can also enjoy a meal from one of the many restaurants, including Chiktopia, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Bella Italia, as well as old-time favourites Zizzi and TGI Fridays. The most recent addition to the mall is Tapas Revolution on the Boardwalk. It offers an exciting mix of tapas, sangria and cocktails.

SHOPPING

©DIMJ/THINK B/HEDGEHOG94/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

Surrounding Lakeside is Lakeside Retail Park, which consists of several larger stores, such as Next, Mamas & Papas, The Range and many more besides. It’s a shopper’s dream, giving you the opportunity to purchase designer clothes, food, carpets, a kitchen and even cars, all in one place. As well as being accessible from the M25 and A13, the centre has its own train station, which allows you to get off the train and take a bridge all the way across to the shops. The C2C line runs from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness, so it’s an easy journey, even if you don’t have a car.

SWEDISH RETAIL It’s not right to mention Lakeside Retail Park without giving a nod to the place where many relationships face their toughest test – IKEA! IKEA Lakeside is the only branch in the whole of Essex, and is a one-stop shopping destination for furniture, homewares, Swedish meatballs and more tealights than you’ll ever realistically need.

The food in the restaurant is surprisingly tasty for such a low price, and it’s almost worth a visit just to see if you can stay in there long enough to consume all of your main meals for the day in their eateries! Take a look online before you go for some clever life hacks using IKEA goodies, to really maximise the productivity of your trip.

While many people in Essex may spurn the TOWIE image, there’s no denying the fact that Brentwood has a lot to offer in the way of retail therapy. Crown Street is a bijou

“Lakeside and its surrounding retail park represents one of the largest shopping destinations in the whole of Europe, consisting of over 250 stores inside the centre itself, as well as more than 50 eateries and flagship stores” side street in Brentwood’s conservation area, and is probably the most famous part of town, offering a number of beautiful boutiques and independent outlets.

For designer clothing, Minnie’s Boutique and Petits Cherubs Boutique have women and children covered, while Blush & Blow and The Hair Company are all places to beautify yourselves – providing you can get an appointment!

Venture out onto the High Street, and you’ll find a great mixture of the usual retail outlets, as well as more independent shops, restaurants, a bustling market and The Baytree Shopping Centre, which not only offers shoppers the chance to spend more money, but also to head to the second floor to get fit in the on-site fitness centre.

Book lovers will be excited to know that a new branch of Waterstones has recently opened on the site of the old Maplin store on the High Street. Brentwood had been soldiering on without a Waterstones since March 2021, when talks on a lease for its existing store failed. u p30

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SHOPPING

If you’ve got designer taste but a distinctly high-street budget, then Braintree Village is the place for you.

Braintree Village is a designer outlet village which boasts the likes of Hollister, Barbour, Hugo Boss and Suit Direct for your clothing needs.

Homewares and other luxuries can be found in their Le Creuset and Villeroy & Boch stores, while Costa, Bill’s and Wildwood have you covered when you get peckish. It’s not quite on the scale of Lakeside, and much of it is outdoors rather than being a covered mall, but with stores offering huge discounts on items purchased in store, it’s unlikely you won’t find at least one bargain during your trip.

Below Bond Street, Chelmsford, is where you will find a range of premium retail outlets

©JACK HOBHOUSE/CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL; MARTINA87/STOCK.ADOBE.COM

BASILDON & BEYOND Basildon, one of the new towns built in the 1950s and 1960s to accommodate the overflow of people from London, has become another premier shopping destination in recent years, thanks to development in the area.

While Eastgate Shopping Centre has been around since the mid-80s, the addition of Westgate Park in the late-90s to the rest of the town centre shopping areas has launched it onto a grander scale of retail offerings. The town also has several other shopping parks on its outskirts, with Mayflower and Pipps Hill Retail Parks housing larger outlets for Matalan, Choice and Clarks among the usual suspects in homeware stores, such as Carpetright, Wren Kitchens and DFS.

Often, one of the biggest issues with shopping is parking.

Most of Essex’s shopping areas have pretty decent parking facilities, but if you’re shopping at peak times like Christmas, there never seems to be enough parking spaces, no matter where you go. Essex County Council has your back though, as they’ve set up three separate Park and Ride schemes around the county - two servicing Chelmsford town centre and the surrounding area, and the other in Colchester.

The great thing about Park and Ride is that you can drive to the terminus, leave your car in one of the 2,000 spaces in Chelmsford or the 1,000 spaces in Colchester, completely free of charge (and they even have free charging points for electric cars too), and take a bus ride into the centre of town. This lets you shop hassle-free, without worrying about finding a space or needing to run back to top up a meter before you get a ticket!

Shopping in Chelmsford is something for which you might want to dedicate a bit more time, given that it boasts not one but two major shopping malls, the relatively new Bond Street experience, as well as a bustling High Street, several side roads and also a market.

High Chelmer Shopping Centre is packed with all of the usual retail faces, such as JD Sports, Boots, Game and Superdry, with a nod to the high end from the likes of Bang & Olufsen.

The Meadows Shopping Centre has a few high-street staples, such as Wilko and The Works, and it’s u p33

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MARISA ARNA JEWELLERY STUDIO & GALLERY

VISITING US :

The studio & gallery are usually open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am-5pm.

Also Tuesdays to Thursdays 5pm-7.30pm by appointment only.

The jewellery gallery specialises in showcasing beautiful jewellery by UKbased designer-makers like Marisa. Generallly, to discuss a commission with Marisa it is advisable to book an appointment.

To be the first to hear our news and take advantage of exclusive offers please sign up to our newsletter on our website.

Contemporary jewellery design with traditional craftsmanship Marisa Arna designs and makes her jewellery at her studio in Thorpe-leSoken, near Frinton-on-Sea, in Essex. She originally set up her ceramic studio in 1997, making fine, thrown porcelain but since 2007 she has been working exclusively as a jeweller and goldsmith. Marisa uses traditional goldsmithing techniques, combined with some modern technology, to make her jewellery by hand and then also set the gemstones. Silver, gold or platinum, her work is long lasting and comfortable enough to enjoy wearing every day. There is a contemporary feel about Marisa’s designs, with different textures and contrasting finishes on the surface but also a timelessness. It can be a ready-to-wear, inexpensive necklace or a bespoke engagement ring, for a variety of budgets. Everyone is welcome to discuss a design with Marisa as a commission or just to treat themselves to something already made, from a changing selection of jewellery, in the gallery. When possible, Marisa can also melt and remodel old or heirloom gold jewellery into new, more wearable pieces.

Her new creations will themselves become heirlooms of the future, to be enjoyed for many more years to come....

High Street, Thorpe-le-Soken, near Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, CO160EA, UK. Tel:01255-862355, email:studio@marisaarna.com

www.marisaarna.com

La Pomme was founded on a belief that we can make the world a better and fairer place by simply shopping more consciously.

La Pomme is a luxurious yet sustainable boutique that sources product ranges that are more natural, sustainable and ethical from health to beauty to day to day home products and gifts whilst supporting artisans, traditional techniques and many worthy causes globally.

Many products are made using recycled materials saved from landfill. We proudly support Big Blue Ocean Cleanup, Women’s Aid, SOBS Charity and CHESS Homeless through our sustainable ranges.

Supporting everything good and everything positive is what we’re all about.

OPENING HOURS Monday 10am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm

Tel. 07871 673219 Shop online at www.lapomme.co.uk 94 High Street • Ingatestone • Essex • CM4 0BA

SHOPPING

“Bond Street is where you go if you want to shop in all the usual, familiar outlets (although on the more premium end of the scale), while the shops in Moulsham Street are distinctly more boutique”

©CHELMSFORD CITY COUNCIL; STOCK.ADOBE.COM

definitely where you should head if you’re planning to grab a bite to eat on the go, as it’s packed with food outlets, like Wildwood, Burger King and Kaspers.

If comparing Chelmsford’s newest shopping hotspot, Bond Street, with its older counterpart, Moulsham Street, to cars, Bond Street would be a Ford Focus – something you see on almost every corner - while Moulsham Street would be like a TVR Tuscan – individual and hand-made.

Bond Street is where you go if you want to shop in all the usual, familiar outlets (although on the more premium end of the scale), while the shops in Moulsham Street are distinctly more boutique.

Moulsham Street itself is said to date back to Roman times, and is where you’ll find bric-a-brac, needlecraft and hobby wares, second-hand jewellery, unique homewares and even an “adult discount store” – your imagination can tell you what’s for sale in there, just don’t step inside the shop, which has blanked out windows, if you’re faint of heart!

ARTS & CRAFTS Chelmsford shopping wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the on-street market, which is more than 800 years old, and is currently comprised of over 50 stalls and kiosks, all of which are under cover and away from the elements, unlike a normal market. Thursday is the day to visit if second-hand, retro, vintage and antiques are where you like to spend your money, and it’s a great place to shop if you’re looking for a unique gift for a friend or relative.

Moving completely away from the usual commercial outlets, Dedham Art & Craft Centre is a true gem, hidden away in North Essex, on the border with Suffolk, and is probably one of the most beautiful and unique places to shop in the whole of the county.

The centre is inside an old, renovated church, and spans three floors, with an eclectic mix of jewellery, furniture, art, toys, textiles, metalwork, woodcraft and much more, all under one roof. The centre is a wonderful place, sitting halfway between gallery and market, with more than 60 talented artisans and many more talented retail curators crafting, sourcing and selling wares that you simply wouldn’t see anywhere else in Essex. The centre exudes historic charm, nestled in the quaint village of Dedham, as well as feeling like the very heartbeat of artistic creativity in a truly unlikely setting.

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Above In Chelmsford you will find the usual high-street shops as well as a great range of independents

Colchester is Britain’s oldest recorded town, and as mentioned previously, also benefits from a Park and Ride scheme, taking you right into the hustle and bustle of its busy shopping areas, and there’s plenty to choose from.

Head to the High Street for all of the usual favourites, or take a stroll to Lion Walk, a shopping centre where even more retail giants, such as Primark and Boots, can be found.

Huddled between the two, however, is Red Lion Yard, and this is where Colchester gets really interesting.

Red Lion Yard is situated in one of the oldest parts of town, and is home to a range of independent shops, delis and hairdressers, as well as the Grade 1-listed Red Lion Hotel. It has recently undergone a large-scale renovation, costing more than half-a-million pounds, to update shop fronts and revitalise the area, with some of the smaller units combining to create larger stores with a more airy, modernised feel. Red Lion Yard is often compared to Covent Garden, and continues to grow, with new retailers committing to the area as time goes on.

The High Street is dominated by the Fenwick Department Store. This is on the site of the old Williams & Griffins store, which had been a staple part of the Colchester retail scene until it changed to Fenwick in 2016. u p35

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Making all your jewellery dreams come true.

Bespoke engagement and wedding rings made to order.

Gifts for all occasions plus repairs, valuations and remodelling services available.

Fine Diamonds. Fine Jewellery. Fine Service.

28 Elm Road • Leigh- on-Sea • Essex • SS9 1SN terry@hattonjewellery.co.uk • T: 01702 472 535 • F: 01702 478 800

www.hat tonjewellery.co.uk

Over 55 independent stores combine to create exciting shopping moments of magical finds and essential must haves.

Visit chelmsfordforyou.co.uk and click ‘discover’ to see more and meet the faces of Chelmsford Markets!

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SHOPPING

©CLACTON SHOPPING VILLAGE

“For shopping in the heart of Clacton, you can grab a bargain at Clacton Shopping Village, where favourite brands can be snapped up for up to 60 per cent less” For those who want something a little more independent, you can head to the likes of Eld Lane, Sir Isaac’s Walk and Short Wyre Street, which have become Colchester’s answers to the lanes in Brighton. These narrow streets are packed with independents offering a cool, grungy vibe.

There are several other historic towns in Essex, all of which have their own markets which date back decades, and in some cases, even centuries. Epping, Waltham Abbey and Ongar all have vibrant markets selling a huge variety of items, while Loughton and North Weald are renowned for their markets, with many of the items on offer there being locally produced food and drinks.

Although they may technically sit within the London Borough of Havering, Romford and Dagenham were historically a part of Essex, and both have markets which are things of legend. You can buy a mind-boggling range of items at these markets, from clothing to car stereos, and bargains abound in these tarpaulin-covered stalls.

Romford Market has more than 150 pitches, and began nearly 800 years ago in 1247, although it still doesn’t beat

Above Shoppers can grab themselves a bargain at Clacton Shopping Village

Saffron Walden Market in the age stakes, which has been around since 1141!

Saffron Walden has often been described as one of the most desirable places to live in the UK, and the busy market is a reflection of the town’s community spirit. The majority of the stalls sell food, much of which is of the highest quality, so much so that TV chef and food activist Jamie Oliver, who lives nearby, can often be seen sampling the wares of local artisan food producers on Sunday’s market day.

FASHION BOUTIQUES If you’re visiting the Essex coast, there are good opportunities for shopping at both Leigh-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea. Leigh Broadway is a vibrant and eclectic mixture of fashion boutiques and places which sell interesting objets d’art, as well as being home to a number of highly regarded cafes, restaurants and delis in which to enjoy some refreshment.

For shopping in the heart of Clacton, you can grab a bargain at Clacton Shopping Village, where favourite brands can be snapped up for up to 60 per cent less.

If there’s one thing that Essex seems to be good at, it’s getting people to spend money! People come from all over the South East and beyond to shop in the variety of different shopping centres, markets and malls, and it’s easy to see why. There’s an enormous range of choice, and Essex is arguably one of the best places in England to spend your hard-earned cash.

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Restaurants and cafés you just have to try!

From ramen to risotto and vegan to steakhouse, every type of food lover is catered for here

t’s a little-known fact that Essex is a rich source of high-quality produce, so it’s no surprise that the county is home to some of the best restaurants and dining experiences in the South East.

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HOME-GROWN PRODUCE From the oyster beds of Paglesham to the world-renowned jams of Tiptree, Essex is ideally placed between the sea and clay-rich fields to offer a huge range of home-grown produce, which have inspired chefs across the county for centuries. Essex is home to a total of nine Michelinrecommended restaurants, a perfect reflection of the quality of cuisine on offer around the county.

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Perhaps the best-known culinary export from Essex is TV chef and healthy-eating activist Jamie Oliver. Oliver was born and raised in Clavering, cutting his teeth in the kitchen of his parents’ pub. They continued to run the Cricketers until they recently retired and sold it to a chain.

His extended family still owns Oliver’s on the Beach along Chalkwell promenade. Oliver’s on the Beach is best for Sunday brunch, and has received rave reviews since opening, taking the old bucket-and-spade-selling beach hut from faded to fabulous.

Back in 2014, Jamie Oliver teamed up with fellow TV chef Jimmy Doherty to present Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, where diners were invited to a specially

Above Head to Tiptree Tea Rooms for a cup of tea and a scone with their world-famous jam

EATING OUT

©COBRAPHOTO/NATALIIA PYZHOVA/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; PHIL BUCHANAN/PHOTOGRAPHIC ASSIGNMENTS/TIPTREE TEA ROOMS

renovated cafe on Southend Pier to watch the pair cook and chat with celebrity guests. The cafe was opened up to the public in the summer of 2019, so you can pop in for a cuppa in the place that the show was filmed.

Southend seafront is home to a number of vibrant restaurants, which are contributing to a gradual renovation of the area. The old sun shelter on Westcliff promenade was transformed into the Oyster Creek Kitchen a few years ago, an oyster bar and grill, serving fresh seafood, as well as steaks, burgers and a selection of daily specials.

The Anchor at Hullbridge serves food well beyond what you’d expect from a restaurant in such modest surroundings. Its roast dinner is second to none. The restaurant itself is elegant and spacious, with cosy booths for intimate dining and larger tables for an almost banquet-like feel.

SUBLIME SEAFOOD Given the fact that Essex has the longest coastline of any English county, it’s no surprise that there are a number of high-quality seafood restaurants from which to choose.

Obviously, the best way to sample the freshest picks of the day is to pop along to Osborne’s Café in Old Leigh and grab some seafood for yourself. Straight from the boats and into the sheds, eating the day’s catch from a polystyrene cone, smothered in pepper and vinegar, is the traditional way to do things, but if you prefer to have someone cook your seafood for you, then Smith’s of Ongar is probably a better option.

Smith’s offers a set menu, as well as a la carte options, and an extensive gluten-free menu for those on a special diet. It serves a number of locally acclaimed seafood dishes, and the restaurant uses sustainably caught and farmed seafood from the South East, as well as “locally sourced meat dishes to accommodate those who prefer their food terra firma”. So committed is Smith’s to the use of local produce, the award-winning bar also serves its own brand of ale, brewed nearby in Brentwood. They also have a second location in Wapping.

Some of the best seafood can be found on Mersea Island.

The home of Essex oysters predictably has some outstanding places to eat on offer, but special mention goes to the Company Shed. This may look a bit basic, but it offers an unbeatable selection of freshly caught seafood, from oysters to crab, lobster and much more.

For a slightly more traditional experience, you can head to the nearby West Mersea Oyster Bar. It has become famous locally for its take on the traditional cod and chips, as well as freshly caught lobster.

Indian cuisine is probably the most popular choice with

“Given the fact that Essex has the longest coastline of any English county, it’s no surprise that there are a number of high-quality seafood restaurants from which to choose” diners, not just in Essex, but across the whole of the UK, and Essex is lucky enough to have several award-winning restaurants serving food from across the whole of Asia.

The Bekash Restaurant in Wickford was founded almost 30 years ago, and its kitchen is run by a ‘Chef of the Year’ recipient from the Bangladeshi Catering Association’s yearly awards.

For Asian food of a different persuasion, Gurkha Restaurant in Chelmsford serves Nepalese cuisine, as the name might suggest, and is often praised for its combination of excellent food made from the freshest ingredients, and the top-notch service and reception that diners receive from the staff. u p38

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EATING OUT

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If an oriental buffet is your thing, then there are many to choose from around the county. However, Izumi in Maldon (also in Brentwood) is probably the best regarded of them all. It’s a standard set-up, with diners able to go back for as many plates of whatever East Asian delicacy they fancy, but the surroundings feel sleek and modern, with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, which is great for families and couples alike. Prices are affordable, and the chocolate fountain is usually a winner with everyone!

With so many chain and franchise restaurants popping up, it’s hard to find something away from the homogenised feel of the high-street Italian. Essex, however, is home to a couple of stand-alone, family-run Italian restaurants which serve authentic food that is well worth the journey.

Two of them top Trip Advisor’s list of best restaurants in Essex. Chelmsford’s Taste of Italy bar on Dukes Walk offers an incredibly authentic Italian dining experience, with real Italian pizzas made to traditional recipes. It’s about as close as you can get to a traditional family-run Italian pizzeria without going there.

IMPECCABLE SERVICE Vita Bella in East Hanningfield may be a little off the beaten track, but the contemporary Italian cuisine is some of the best in the country – in fact, many diners say that it’s the best Italian food they’ve had, outside of Italy! The plates of food look as good as they taste, and it’s rare to hear service described as anything other than “impeccable”.

If it’s a family-run restaurant you’re looking for, then look no further than Haywards in Epping. Haywards is situated on the edge of Epping Forest, and serves modern European dishes made from the freshest ingredients, to give a real punch of flavour. The Chef, Jahdre Hayward, has an impressive CV, with much of his experience gained in the most highly regarded establishments in London, working in the kitchens of Hanbury Manor, Rules restaurant, Oxo Tower, Novelli in the City and The Ritz itself! Wife Amanda completes the team, running front of house.

Many of the Haywards’ ingredients are sourced from its own well-stocked kitchen garden, meaning that there is often a matter of just a few feet from produce to plate.

Another of the county’s most well-regarded restaurants is Magic Mushroom Restaurant in Billericay. The elegant eatery offers a range of British and European cuisine served in a refined environment, offering a great range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options for diners on a restricted diet. Kids are more than welcome, making this a great place for a special family occasion. The kitchen only serves meat that has been reared on Essex farms, and local

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“This highly recommended venue brings a little taste of France to the Essex countryside with a selection of stylish, flavour-packed dishes showcasing the chef’s real talent” produce is used wherever possible, giving an environmentally conscious edge to your meal.

Just a few minutes’ drive from the pretty quayside village of Wivenhoe, near Colchester, stands an inviting brasserie bar and restaurant at Wivenhoe House. The highly recommended venue brings a little taste of France to the Essex countryside with a selection of stylish, flavour-packed dishes showcasing the chef’s real talents.

It has recently been refurbished with a new menu, including roast pork tenderloin, ribeye steak, red mullet escabeche, as well as the traditional haddock and chips.

Colchester itself has seen a number of new u p40

Above Enjoy fine fare in luxurious surroundings at Wivenhoe House

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Colchester Boutique Hotel is a beautiful Grade II listed Georgian building on North Hill in Colchester’s historic town centre.

Walking through our doors is like stepping back in time. Our vintage decor and elegant surroundings, provide the perfect setting for you to enjoy a relaxing time with us.

Offering you luxury from start to finish, Colchester Boutique Hotel is dedicated to providing a unique experience.

Why not join us in the hotel bar for a relaxing drink, or book a table for dinner in the Boardroom Restaurant.

Tel: 01206 573 005 Email: info@colchesterboutiquehotel.co.uk 4-6 North Hill, Colchester, Essex CO1 1DZ

colchesterboutiquehotel.co.uk

restaurant chains springing up along the high street, including the likes of El Guaca, bringing Mexican food into the town. However, it’s an old favourite which still rules the roost, with the North Hill Noodle Bar regularly topping the list on Trip Advisor. This small but perfectly formed restaurant offers a relaxed setting and some outstanding Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Malaysianinspired cuisine.

TASTY MENU Stop by The Boardroom restaurant at the Colchester Boutique Hotel and pick from a tasty menu which includes locally sourced produce and a range of moreish cocktails.

For a meal with a view, head towards Dedham, where Le Talbooth offers fine dining and a picturesque river setting.

This award-winning venue can be found just off the A12, offering an idyllic setting on the river. Established in 1952, it offers outstanding fine dining with an inspirational setting in the heart of ‘Constable Country’.

Heading down into the village, the popular Garden Cafe at Munnings Art Museum is currently closed, but the Queen Bee Coffee van is now on site, offering drinks, light bites and chairs and tables in the garden.

If you’re looking for somewhere both exotic and

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romantic for a special meal with a loved one, then look no further than Thai Up At The Quay, just around the corner from the Harwich quayside. The Thai cuisine is all freshly prepared in-house by its highly experienced chef, and it has become one of the most popular restaurants among local residents since its opening in 2008.

The restaurant itself is set in the Grade 2-listed building which was previously The Half Moon pub, established in 1753. It’s been sensitively refurbished to retain many of the building’s original features, probably making it one of the most unique surroundings for eating Thai food in the county.

If you’re in the mood for casual food in an elegant surrounding, you could do a lot worse than Mangetout Bar & Grill, conveniently placed in its new, larger location at the top of Southend’s High Street. The restaurant is probably one of the most popular places for diners in the whole of Southend, and started life in a much smaller setting of less than a dozen tables, before making the move to a much grander scale.

Diners at Mangetout can expect to be treated to a range of American diner-style food with a twist, with gourmet burgers, ribs which simply fall off the bone, and a range of desserts which make the mouth water when reading the menu. Mangetout caters for even the most impressive of

EATING OUT

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“This restaurant is probably one of the most popular places for diners in the whole of Southend, and started life in a much smaller setting of less than a dozen tables, before making the move to a much grander scale” appetites, with every burger having the added option of two extra patties at a nominal cost!

Another top-notch Essex eatery is the uniquely named Flitch of Bacon, in Dunmow, an intimate setting for a beautifully balanced meal. Classic dishes are elegantly prepared with seasonal ingredients. The bar is well stocked and the wine list impeccably selected, and there are even rooms available for an overnight stay if you’d rather retire upstairs than endure a drive home.

TURKISH CUISINE It would be remiss to talk about eating out without even touching upon one of the nation’s favourite post-night-out dishes – the humble kebab. Rest assured, it is not suggested that you stop off for a greasy offering wrapped in paper; Bogaz Restaurant is located in Rayleigh, and u p43

THERE’S A TIPTREE TEA ROOM NEAR YOU Located in picturesque settings Tiptree Tea Rooms are the perfect place to relax and socialise whilst enjoying breakfast, a light lunch or afternoon tea*.

Visit our website tiptree.com to discover one near you.

TIPTREE

DEDHAM

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*Opening times & services may vary.

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Alzheimer’s Society offers support to anyone affected by dementia – including family members, friends and carers.

Whether it’s face to face, Get the support online or over the phone, you need today we are here for you. alzheimers.org.uk/ getsupport Alzheimer’s Society operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Registered charity number 296645.

EATING OUT

“The décor borrows from the industrial surroundings, and manages to blend elegance with old-world glamour in a way which will delight diners before a morsel has even passed their lips” is well known for its authentic Turkish cuisine. They serve a wide selection of traditional Turkish fayre, including seafood and fresh fish, grilled meats, salads and tasty meze dishes which are best when shared with a large table full of your family and friends. It is highly recommended that you order one of everything, and let everyone dive in to try it all!

Elsewhere in Chelmsford, Turquoise Kitchen recently made the finals of the Great British Kebab awards. Opened in 2018, it offers an outstanding mix of Turkish cuisine washed down with a selection of cocktails.

©BOGGY/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; ENGIN AKYURT/UNSPLASH

STUNNING VIEWS A final recommendation for eating in Essex goes to The Pier in Harwich. The Pier is a spectacular brasserie on the first floor of the completely renovated 19th-century listed building in historic Harwich, giving stunning views of the harbour and working docks.

The menu takes inspiration from modern European cuisine, and is ever changing, dependent on seasonal ingredients and shifting influences. Its décor borrows from the industrial surroundings, and manages to blend elegance with old-world glamour in a way which will delight diners before a morsel has even passed their lips, which is not to take away from the exceptional food in any way.

Eating out in Essex is a wonderful experience when you choose the right place to dine, and selecting eateries which offer fresh local produce will give you a true insight into the richness of ingredients available, be they grown, reared or caught in the area. What’s clear when you look at the plaudits received for both restaurants and individual chefs in Essex is that the rest of the country is slowly catching on to what the county has to offer, and it won’t be long before it’s impossible to get a table anywhere in Essex without a very long wait!

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A hub of culture and creativity Essex is full of inspiring arts and culture and overflowing with festivals and exhibitions

rom Grayson Perry to Dame Maggie Smith, Essex is the home of many of the country’s most prominent contributors to arts and culture in the UK, with a huge number of actors, bands, artists, authors and poets hailing from the hallowed county. Essex is often overlooked for its contribution to the arts, not least because it’s so close to London that people choose to go there instead. However, overlooking Essex in favour of bigger and better could mean missing out on some of the county’s hidden gems.

Although John Constable is technically from Suffolk, many of his early sketches were rendered in the North Essex countryside (to which many refer as ‘Constable Country’), and his painting titled “Wivenhoe Park, Essex” is on display in the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., proving that Essex offers inspiration to some of the world’s greatest artists.

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During the middle of the 20th century, Essex was home to a community of artists who lived in the village of Great Bardfield and who became known as The Great Bardfield Artists. There were dozens of artists in the group between 1930 and 1970, all of whom had distinct and individual styles, but the group as a whole enjoyed what became known as ‘figurative art’, a cultural diversion from the abstract movement.

ARTISTIC COMMUNITIES The Fry Art Gallery was established in Saffron Walden in 1987 as a place to display the collected works of the Great Bardfield Artists, and other artists from the North Essex area, and is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to enable it to continue its good work for arts in the county.

You don’t have to look too far to find places to view works of art in and around Essex, and perhaps the most

Above Firstsite offers a fantastic programme of creative events and activities for the whole family; Opposite page bottom The Cliffs Pavillion, Westcliff-on-Sea

ARTS & CULTURE

“If you like your art to be more performance than still life, there are a number of venues around the county in which to watch the arts come to life”

©CLIFFS PAVILION; JAYNE LLOYD/FIRSTSITE; KYLE HEAD/UNSPLASH

diverse and interesting of them all is Colchester Arts Centre. The renovated church is home to a venue which offers comedy performances, street tours, art displays, music events, farmers’ markets, craft fairs and even album launches for local performers.

The centre is run by people who are passionate about finding new artists and giving as many people as possible a platform from which to launch their works. Past performers have included Phil Jupitus, Eddie Izzard, Jo Brand, The Strokes and many more, with a full calendar of future performances being updated on what seems like an almost daily basis.

Firstsite in Colchester has divided the opinion of locals in more ways than one. The jutting, ever-so-slightly awkward, ultra-modern architecture of the building is juxtaposed against the almost ancient backdrop of Britain’s oldest town, which has been seen as both a positive for bringing the area into the 21st century and a negative for its stark contrast with the existing buildings.

The cost of the project was another bone of contention, with residents feeling that the money could have been better spent elsewhere. However, as Edgar Degas once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see,” and never has that been truer than with Firstsite!

FILM SCREENINGS Controversy aside, the gallery has brought plenty of culture to the area, offering a varied range of art displays, film screenings, classes and workshops for both adults and children alike, and having a single venue where you can look at art in the morning, learn how to write a novel in the afternoon and practice your stand-up comedy skills in the evening is quite remarkable!

If you like your art to be more performance than still life, there are a number of venues around the county in which to watch the arts come to life.

Round the corner from the Colchester Arts Centre, you’ll find Mercury Theatre. This recently renovated theatre stands just inside the ruins of Colchester’s ancient Roman Wall. It has fast earned a reputation as being one of the best theatres outside of London.

Southend is home to both The Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre, both of which have a long legacy of theatrical and musical performances. The latter was opened in 1912, and despite suffering several closures in the following decades, the venue has been in full swing for many years, and has seen some highly prominent performers, such as Essex’s very own Dame Helen Mirren, treading the boards. u p46

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Perhaps the easiest way to start experiencing the theatre would be to go along to one of the many dozens of pantomimes which grace Essex’s towns every winter. It’s not exactly the Bolshoi Ballet in terms of high-brow entertainment, but there’s not much which comes close to the fun and frivolity of a panto during the festive season to get you in the mood for Christmas, and for starting the kids on the path to a love of the performing arts.

CULTURAL PROJECTS Culture in Essex isn’t always on such a large theatrical scale; there are projects happening all over the county, bringing art and culture into the lives of residents.

One such project is the Listening Benches, a National Lottery Heritage Fund project run by the Essex Record Office. The premise of the scheme is to place park benches around the county which have an embedded audio unit.

Each bench plays a selection of clips from Essex Sound and Video Archive recordings about the area, chosen by volunteers from that community. It’s a delightful project which gives a fascinating insight into life around the county in the last century, and the ERO hopes to place more benches around the county in the months to come.

Much of the culture and art around Essex can be found in the form of architecture, ranging back hundreds of years, right through to the ultra modern. Prittlewell Priory and the attached museum are perfect examples of the county’s ancient roots, with the main priory building dating back to the 13th century, and giving a home to the Cluniac monks who lived in the town.

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Above Listening bench in St Helens Green, Harwich; Below Prittlewell Priory, Southend-onSea; Opposite page Naze Tower, Walton-onthe-Naze

In 2012, £1.8 million was spent on restoring the Priory and adding a museum to the site, allowing visitors to learn about the Scratton family, the last known residents of the Priory, as well as giving insight into the wildlife around the area and what life would have been like for the monks.

Essex’s buildings aren’t all ancient, however. It might seem hard to believe in these modern times, but Basildon

ARTS & CULTURE

©DANIEL ANGELE/UNSPLASH; ECC; LUCY J TOMS/NAZE TOWER; SOUTHEND-ON-SEA BOROUGH COUNCIL

“Naze Tower has been a feature on the Walton-on-the-Naze shoreline since 1721, and was originally a coastal marker for ships. Later, it was used as a lookout during both the Napoleonic Wars and World War I”

and many of its buildings were conceived by leading architects with a vision of the future. Brooke House and the surrounding plaza were designed to be a monolithic homage to ‘Brutalist’ design aesthetics, and along with the adjacent raised pool bearing the ‘Mother and Child’ sculpture, which has become a symbol for the town, is a Grade 2-listed structure.

Head further up the Essex coastline, and you’ll be greeted with another monolithic structure, albeit one which serves to remind us of tougher times. Naze Tower, also known as the Hanoverian tower, has been a feature on the Walton-on-the-Naze shoreline since 1721, and was originally intended to be a coastal marker for ships heading to Harwich. Later, it was used as a lookout during both the Napoleonic Wars and World War I, and later still, it was re-purposed as a tea room.

NAZE TOWER The Naze Tower was given Grade 2-listed status in the mid-80s, and is now privately owned. Visitors are able to climb the 111 steps to the top to get a full 360-degree view of the surrounding area, and there is a museum with exhibits about the tower, the ecology and geology of the Naze, and the coastal erosion problem. The tower also features a private art gallery on six floors, with exhibits which change several times a year, and a tea room.

Essex has long been known for its musical pedigree, with acts such as Depeche Mode, Prodigy and The Horrors all hailing from the county.

If playing your own instrument is more your thing, there

are a huge number of musical groups and classes all around the county. But if playing as part of a group appeals to you, why not join a jazz and saxophone group. Workshops run every Thursday evening throughout the year at St Michael and All Angels Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

For something truly out of the ordinary, head to Talliston House in Great Dunmow. This former council house has been transformed into Britain’s most extraordinary rooms, and it certainly lives up to its billing.

Each room follows a different theme, from a medieval castle in the living room to an Italian garden in the kitchen, and even a futuristic spaceship in the conservatory. They run regular guided tours, and you can even spend the night there in one of the small rooms. Those of a nervous disposition would do well to avoid the ‘haunted’ bedroom.

It would be easy to write Essex off as a county with little to offer when it comes to art and culture, or to look past some of the incredible architecture nestled in the most surprising places, but there’s actually a huge amount on display, and you don’t even need to look very hard to find it.

There’s a gallery in every town, theatres, music venues, poetry nights, clubs, classes and everything in between. In fact, once you start to look for yourself, you’ll realise that it’s almost impossible to avoid all of the wonderful culture that Essex has on offer.

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When night falls…

Stylish bars, cosy pubs, live music and jumping clubs – this county really comes alive after dark

f there’s one thing that the people of Essex love, it’s a good night out, which is why the county is absolutely packed with places to enjoy yourself once the sun goes down. Some of Essex’s pubs and nightclubs are world famous, and have seen international superstars taking to the decks to DJ for Essex crowds.

However, if your tastes are a little more sedate, there’s still a plethora of places from which to choose to have an enjoyable evening.

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SOUTHEND-ON-SEA Perhaps one of the richest sources of nightlife in Essex is Southend-on-Sea. Historically speaking, the town has always been the place to be for a good night out – the Kursaal has hosted the likes of Black Sabbath and AC/DC in its heyday in the 1970s, and although the Grade 1-listed building is now closed to the public, it’s still a reminder of the heritage of the seafront.

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Southend is also home to three casinos along the seafront, each of which offer a place for some light gambling. They also host dinner and dance events, regular live entertainment, and have well-regarded restaurants within. Southend’s casinos are a great option for a night out if you want a classy evening of fun, with everything you need all in one venue.

If you want to get your dancing shoes on, Southend has a number of clubs and pubs to choose from, including MooMoo Clubrooms in Warrior Square. Like many late-night venues, these clubs have been suffering due to the pandemic, but with restrictions lifting, they are opening their doors again.

Being such a vibrant town, it won’t come as a surprise to hear that Southend is always changing, and there’s always a new bar or club to try out.

Ravens opened in 2018, with its unique placement u p50

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“Those who love their real beer, meanwhile, will head to places such as Craftwerk Beers, with its gorgeous pizzas and wide selection of craft beers” in a 125-year-old department store of the same name. But there’s nothing retro about this hotspot, offering everything from breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner to cocktails and bar snacks at night.

In January last year, 300 Degrees threw open its doors, on the site of the old Bourgee restaurant. The timing for its opening may not have been the best, but it’s already earning rave reviews for its steaks served up on hot stones, and its cocktail lounge.

VODKA BAR Southend is also home to many favourite chains, such as Revolution Vodka Bar – but the twist here is an ambient rooftop terrace – not something you’ll find in many Revolutions around the country. Molo Lounge is another independent bar and eatery that’s a favourite coffee haunt by day, coming alive at night as a classy wine bar.

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Above If you’re looking for craft beer you should head to Craftwerk beers in Southend-on-Sea

Coco, meanwhile, offers something a little different. This restaurant-cum-bar-cum-cinema-cum-cabaret club offers a real throw back, where you can go for dinner and a show. It all comes with a nostalgic, decadent, old-school feel thanks to table service and a comprehensive cocktail menu.

Looking for something a little more traditional, perhaps? The world-famous seafront is home to a number of pubs and music venues, such as Chinnerys, a music bar and pub in which every band in town cuts its teeth, and has even had the privilege of Arctic Monkeys and Squeeze gracing its low-key stages.

Those who love their real beer, meanwhile, will head to places such as Craftwerk Beers, with its gorgeous pizzas and wide selection of craft beers. The Broker Freehouse offers a more traditional real-ale experience, while the excellent Mawson’s Micro Pub deserves a shoutout.

Moving away from Southend, you’d be hard pushed to find a more famous Essex nightlife venue than Sugar Hut, the Brentwood hotspot which has become synonymous with a night out in the county. The bar is a regular shooting location for TOWIE, and as such has become ‘the place to be seen’ for people across the whole of Essex, and even further afield. Sugar Hut has also expanded to offer the Sugar Hut Restaurant, a place to get some dinner

©AFRICA STUDIO/JACOB LUND/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; STEPHEN REYNOLDS/CRAFTWERK BEERS

AFTER DARK

before dancing the night away, and a meal in the restaurant can also bag you 50 per cent off your entrance to the adjacent club.

Brentwood is not all TV cameras and glam nights out, as the many bars and cosy pubs around the town will tell you.

Both The Merchant and the Swan are right on the High Street, and both offer great food, great deals on cocktails and a welcoming atmosphere for revellers of all descriptions. The Bull on Brook Street and the 16thcentury Black Horse offer excellent beer and a wonderfully traditional experience.

LGBTQ+ VENUES Basildon’s nightlife is vast and varied; as you get off the train in the town, the first venue you’ll find is Colors, an award-winning gay club, which is considered to be one of the original LGBTQ+ venues in the county, and still holds the mantle of being the biggest in Essex. After a lockdown hiatus, it’s back and raring to go again. If you’re looking for a night out in a diverse club which is inclusive for all, then Colors is definitely one to consider.

Away from the town centre, Festival Leisure Park offers an ‘everything in one place’ venue for

a night out. Choose from no fewer than 15 restaurants, two nightclubs, a cinema and a bowling alley, all with free parking and good public transport links for the nondrivers among you. It’s a great place to go if you’re all dressed up but can’t decide what you want to do, as the warm atmosphere and range of venues will allow you to let the mood of the evening guide you.

Essex’s main city, Chelmsford, offers a huge choice of venues when it comes to choosing your night out. The Liquorist closed months after opening, and was replaced by Pop World. It was set up to offer something a little different, and offers dancing, cheesy pop and tasty cocktails. Although, if cocktails are in your evening plans, you must visit Bottle Bureau with its excellent selection, sitting alongside carefully selected gins and beers. It’s open again after COVID, and offers a welcoming home for gin lovers.

Around the rest of Chelmsford, you’ll find more traditional establishments too, such as The Orange Tree with its selection of CAMRAapproved ales and a killer Sunday roast, while The Railway Tavern, The Plough and The Ale House also offer a traditional pub environment.

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borders with London, both Romford and Ilford have nightclubs which are known for miles around.

Faces in Ilford was opened in 1993, and has enjoyed almost two-and-a-half decades of hugely successful trading.

It became well known as a popular haunt for footballers and celebrities. Among those spotted over the years have been Lindsey Lohan, Pharrell Williams and much of the England team. However, it closed its doors for a while in January 2020. Plans to reopen ran into the pandemic, but it is now back, fully refurbished and raring to go.

CLUBS & BARS Romford has a huge number of clubs and bars on offer in and around the town centre, but some have been badly hit by the pandemic. Funktion nightclub will not be reopening its doors, which leaves ATIK, just across from the train station, as the main late-night venue in town.

If clubbing isn’t your thing, you can head to The Brewery, which holds a wide range of great eateries and a cinema. It’s one of those all-in-one venues which offers different options in one space.

Romford’s real star turn, though, is at one of the best venues in the country for a night at the dogs. The Coral Romford Greyhound Stadium is open on Friday and

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Saturday nights, and not only gives you an opportunity to have a flutter on the races; it also has three glass-fronted restaurants, five licenced bars and three fast-food outlets for a night out on a budget. You can’t say you’ve truly experienced the Essex nightlife until you’ve cheered on your chosen greyhound while enjoying a pint of lager and a plate of fish and chips. And, while it’s not quite dinner at The Ritz, it’s a fun, memorable evening that is a little out of the ordinary.

Britain’s oldest recorded town, Colchester, has always been a great place for venues which are a little different from the norm.

A selection of fantastic pubs, such as Three Wise Monkeys, Purple Dog and Hole in the Wall, means it’s a favourite among real-ale lovers.

One of the previous favourite haunts in Colchester – Waikiki Bar and Club – has been replaced with Rubix Bar, a retro party bar and nightclub, comprised of two floors, playing 70’s, 80’s and 90’s classics. As well as the usual night-time fun, the venue houses a retro sweet shop and dedicated cocktail bar. Fancy dress is optional, and the venue can even be hired out for private events.

Twisters Bar is dedicated to all things alternative, with its achingly cool decor and a musical playlist which rarely

AFTER DARK

“Every town in Essex has its own unique venues which offer nights out to suit almost everyone’s tastes, for people of all ages and budgets”

©ASH EDMONDS/MICHAEL DISCENZA/UNSPLASH; DMITRY NAUMOV/STOCK.ADOBE.COM; STOCKSNAP/PIXABAY

diverts from punk, electro and rock. Far from being a ‘dive bar’ though, the drinks list is extensive, offering everything from craft beers to cocktails, and they even hold a Twister’s Cocktail master class if you want to learn to make them for yourself.

Colchester’s Missoula has been replaced by the Australian-themed Walkabout. The chain has around 30 venues in the UK, and is a great place for a relaxed evening with friends, watching sports and sharing a platter of snacks. They offer a range of cocktails, and have great offers on food and drink, especially during rugby and football tournaments.

For night clubbers, ATIK is the place to go on the High Street. This club has gone through a number of different names over the years, but has always been in the same historic building, and offers the usual mix of tunes, drinks and dancing.

HIDDEN GEM Leigh-on-Sea is a hidden gem for nightlife, and although it seems that much of it is best enjoyed in the height of summer, that’s not always the case. Old Leigh is the waterside area of town where The Peterboat, The Crooked Billet and Ye Olde Smack enjoy a roaring trade when people are able to drink outside, and regular music events draw huge crowds, but they’re also great places to enjoy a cosy drink by a roaring fire on an autumn or winter evening when they’re a little less heaving with seasonal punters.

Coronavirus has taken its toll on the town’s nightlife, though. The Black Cat Cocktail bar is currently still closed until further notice, and was taken over by Irma’s Pizzeria due to social distancing measures, while the Mojo also closed its doors.

The town also offers a great place to find fine wines, with the Cellar Wine Shop and Vino Vero offering a selection of the finest wines from around the world. They are both mainly shops to sell wines, but do have small bars in the evening.

Though this may seem like quite a comprehensive introduction to Essex’s nightlife, it’s barely scratching the surface of what the county has to offer. Every town has its own unique venues which offer nights out to suit almost everyone’s tastes, for people of all ages and budgets, and the best thing to do is get out there and try it for yourselves.

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Things you shouldn’t miss…

Make sure you don’t leave Essex without checking out these must-see attractions

THE BEST SEAFOOD IN THE WORLD Be it the cockleshed in Leigh-on-Sea, the oysters at West Mersea or the smoked rainbow trout from Hanningfield Reservoir, Essex is home to some of the best seafood in the whole world. Seafood lovers are truly spoilt for choice around our county.

SEE A REAL-LIFE MASTERPIECE Flatford Mill in East Bergholt, just on the border with Suffolk, was immortalised in one of artist John Constable’s most recognisable paintings and is now a National Trust property with an exhibition centre, open to visitors looking for a relaxing and educational day out.

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THINGS TO DO

TAKE A TRAIN TO THE END OF THE PIER Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world and you can choose to either take a stroll to the end, or catch the train. There’s a bar which is open daily during the summer, as well as the RNLI museum, but we love it simply for the view back towards the shore.

AFTERNOON TEA Afternoon tea is one of the country’s most popular pastimes. Located in picturesque settings, Tiptree Tea Rooms are the perfect place to relax and socialise whilst enjoying afternoon tea. Colchester’s Wivenhoe House, a four-star luxury hotel, is set in the rolling Essex countryside and also provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing afternoon of tea and finger sandwiches.

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PICK YOUR OWN FRUIT There’s something so satisfying about eating fruit that you’ve picked yourself and Essex has a wealth of PYO farms around the county.

Head to Lathcoats in Great Baddow between July and August for gooseberries, strawberries, cherries, plums and many other fruits.

FIND A GRUFFALO! The Gruffalo Trail in Thorndon Country Park has become a huge favourite with local families, combining a walk in the woods with a mission to spot one of Julia Donaldson’s best loved characters. Take a picnic and make a day of it!

TAKE A BOAT TRIP There are many boat trips around the county to choose from, including a seal-spotting trip from Wallasea Island. Essex has a great history of seafaring (it’s rumoured that Charles Darwin’s ship The Beagle moored at Paglesham after its final journey) and seeing the coast and rivers from a boat is a great way to get an alternative view.

BECOME A ZOO KEEPER FOR A DAY Colchester Zoo is one of the best zoos in the UK, but if you want to take your visit to the next level, book a “Keeper for the Day” experience, which will allow over-14s to get up close and personal with elephants, orangutans or even the lions!

Also worth a look…

GO TO A MARKET Essex is absolutely packed with amazing markets, from the antiques at Battlesbridge to the fashion at Romford. Spending the day at an Essex market is a lot of fun and could help you to pick up a bargain or a hidden gem.

EAT A ROSSI ICE CREAM Southend-on-Sea is the original home of the famous Rossi ice cream, considered by many to be the best ice cream in the world.

Founded in 1932, the parlour has been supplying the seafront with ice cream for 89 years and also provides the ice cream for many local restaurants.

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Get out and get active!

There are plenty of opportunities to participate in sport here – but those who prefer to watch are well-catered for too

f you’re a lover of sport and outdoor pursuits, then Essex is one the best places you could choose to visit. Situated just outside of London, the county is more than 70 per cent rural land, and features some of the country’s most picturesque scenery, making it a haven for cyclists.

In fact, the county’s close affinity with the sport of bicycle road racing is such that the most hallowed of competitions, the Tour de France, visited in 2014, passing through Braintree, Epping and Chelmsford and drawing over a million excited spectators. Pedalling your way along one of the many established tracks the county has to offer is a great way to take in the scenery, and get in some decent cardio at the same time!

If road riding isn’t your thing then Essex still has you covered. The county played host to the London 2012

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Olympics mountain biking events, at Hadleigh Farm.

Following the games, the course was overhauled and opened up to the public, and it has plenty to offer bikers of all skill levels.

FANTASTIC COURSES All of the lush green space Essex has to offer makes it perfect for golfers, too. The county is replete with fantastic courses upon which to “spoil a good walk”, with hidden gems like Thorndon Park, a well-respected 6,512-yard course set in the serene Brentwood countryside and Orsett, an Open Championship Regional Qualifying course, standing out amongst the crowd.

With more than 350 miles of coastline, Essex ranks among the finest places in the land for people who enjoy water sports. Whether you’re more at home seal spotting

SPORT & LEISURE

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“All of the lush green space Essex has to offer makes it perfect for golfers, too. The county is replete with fantastic courses upon which to “spoil a good walk”, with hidden gems like Thorndon Park, a well-respected 6,512-yard course”

from the comfort of your kayak, or tacking in your sailboat, you’ll find plenty to enjoy.

Walkers gravitate to Essex from London and other more populous areas in the South East, in order to enjoy the countless miles of well-trodden paths and striking countryside that the county has to offer, including the National Trust-recommended Danbury Common to Lingard Common walk, in Chelmsford, and Paycocke’s Tudor Coggeshall walk near Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town.

If they sound a bit too easy then you could set about undertaking The Broomway, which is widely recognised as the country’s most perilous path, and one which has claimed over 100 lives – though the only way to take in that particular slice of the county’s history is as part of a seasonal guided tour group.

Football and rugby fans will find much to enjoy in Essex, with numerous clubs to support, and there’s also a storied county cricket club, playing out of The County Ground in Chelmsford, where one can sit and watch Alastair Cook strike a six in a county or T20 match.

Above Get your walking boots on and explore the miles of beautiful countryside this county has to offer

INDOOR SPORT FACILITIES If the weather puts paid to your outdoor pursuits then you’ll still find plenty to do in Essex. There are leisure centres and other indoor sport facilities dotted all over the county, including the Southend Swimming and Diving Centre at Garon Park, the Brentwood Ski and Snowboard Centre and the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre in Romford.

So, if you’re visiting Essex remember to pack your bathing suit and your salopettes!

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TRAVEL

Finding your way around Getting to this region couldn’t be simpler and visitors can also get around with ease

ssex is a county which is easy to navigate by road, rail, bus, water and even air. We have many options for getting around, not just within the county but further afield too. Read on for ways to get around Essex.

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BY AIR Essex is lucky enough to be serviced by two airports, one larger and one smaller. London Stansted is situated in North Essex and flies to most of Europe.

London Southend Airport also travels direct to a number of European destinations including Bucharest and Malaga – perfect for a weekend getaway.

BY ROAD Essex is served by several major roads, including the M11, M25, A127, A12 and the A13, which give access into the county from London, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Kent. As with most counties which are so close to London, most roads are busiest between 7am and 9.30am, then again between 4pm and 7pm because of school runs and commuters. There are also lots of country routes which are a pleasure to travel during quieter times if you just want to take a more scenic journey.

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BY RAIL Greater Anglia and C2C run the railways in Essex, both covering the county and the route into London. As with roads, commuter times are busiest but trains are generally on time and clean! It’s worth checking with the rail operators for different railcard deals to see if you can travel for less.

BY COACH Coach travel in Essex can be for both business and pleasure – several coach companies operate around the county offering both standard town-to-town routes, as well as airport runs and even theatre trips into the city.

Some of the coach companies also run trips into Europe at different times of the year, including travel to the Christmas markets in Belgium, France and Germany.

PARK & RIDE Essex is lucky enough to have three Park & Ride services, two in Chelmsford (Sandon and Chelmer Valley) and one in Colchester. Park & Ride is a fantastic way to travel for so many reasons, not least of all the environmental benefits

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“Essex is served by several major roads, including the M11, M25, A127, A12 and the A13, which give access into the county from London, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Kent” of several people travelling in one bus, rather than everyone in individual cars. All of the Park & Rides are conveniently for shopping and socialising and allow you to travel without the need to worry about parking.

Above London Stansted airport is in North Essex, making it easy to travel to most of Europe

BY WATER Essex is a very nautical county and has several boat services offering ways to get around. The Tilbury to Gravesend ferry takes foot passengers between Monday and Saturday and there’s also a passenger service taking travellers from Wallasea Island to Burnham-on-Crouch, trimming over 40 minutes off of the time the same journey would take in a car!

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Ready to explore more?

Although Essex has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure

s far as we’re concerned, Essex has just about everything you could ever need, but if you’re looking to go further afield, Essex couldn’t be more ideally placed for doing so. The most obvious nearby destination from our county is London, and there’s more to do in London than most could pack into a lifetime.

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WEST END FAVOURITES Head into the city and you’ll find theatres with daily showings of West End favourites, museums, shops, parks, restaurants, bars and a million different ways to spend time and money. Getting into the city from Essex is a doddle, using the county’s excellent public transport options and if you’re brave enough to drive into London then going by road is almost as simple.

If cities aren’t your thing, then heading north out of

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Essex will take you through Suffolk, a county which is replete with country bed and breakfasts as well as sea-side attractions. The Broads are a popular destination for boating holidays and there are several companies offering nautical rentals for holiday makers. The county also has several golf and spa resorts, country houses for short term rent and even camp sites for lower-budget getaways.

Essex is part of the Home Counties, the rest being Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Kent Hertfordshire, Surrey and Sussex. Kent is often referred to as The Garden of England because of its vast amount of countryside, but the county is also the South of England’s gateway to Europe, with Dover offering ferry routes across the English Channel to Calais, Dunkirk and Bruges. If you don’t have your own car, there are many coach companies which make weekly trips to the continent via Dover.

BEYOND ESSEX

“Windsor Castle is famous for being an active Royal residence for the British Royal family and visitors are welcomed inside the public parts of the castle for guided tours and various exhibitions”

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Berkshire is the county in which you’ll find Windsor, a town famous first for its castle and latterly for Legoland.

Windsor Castle is obviously famous for being an active Royal residence for the British Royal family and visitors are welcomed inside the public parts of the castle for guided tours and various exhibitions.

LEGOLAND Legoland is just one of many theme parks which is well within travelling distance of Essex, but if the little bricks aren’t your cup of tea, there’s also Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Pleasurewood Hills and Drusillas Park in the surrounding counties.

If a day at the races is more your scene, then Epsom is just the other side of the M25, into Surrey. The Epsom Derby is Britain’s richest and most prestigious horse race

and dates back to the end of the 1700s. Ladies Day at Epsom Downs is also hugely popular, with fashion and frivolity being just as much at the forefront of race goers’ minds as which horse they’re going to bet on.

Essex’s retail therapy options are vast, but if you fancy a change of scenery then Bluewater Shopping Centre is just a short distance from the Dartford crossing and contains more than 300 shops and restaurants. It’s Lakeside’s biggest competitor and is rivalled only by Westfield when it comes to out-of-Essex shopping.

Finally, The O2 Arena is easily accessible from most of Essex, whether you hop on the train or drive straight down the A13, and is the venue for most of the biggest performances in London. Head there early for dinner in one of the many surrounding restaurants or take a walk over the dome itself if you’re feeling really brave!

Pictured Windsor is famous first and foremost for its castle, which dominates the skyline for miles around

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Photo finish Beautiful sunset over the beach at West Mersea

Discover some of the most rare and beautiful creatures at

Colchester Zoo is home to over 200 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes!

Visit the many different habitats and see our animals from around the world, from the humid habitat of our Borneo orangutans to the dry dessert, home to our fennec foxes!

© Josh Dennington

Check out our website or social media for the latest news, events, and information or download the Colchester Zoo App.

www.colchesterzoo.org