10 minute read
VALENTINE'S DAY
F O R T H E LOVE OF
Looking for something di erent to do this Valentine’s Day? Visit Essex lists the top romantic things to do across the county
A THAMES SAILING BARGE
ADVENTURE ISLAND ESSEX IS FAMED FOR ITS OYSTERS
MAKE ROMANTIC SCENES COME TO LIFE
Go for a romantic stroll along the promenade in Maldon, much like Cora Seaborne and Will Ransome from The Essex Serpent, taking in the picturesque park, then walk along the historic high street, where you could pop into one of the many tearooms. See the majestic Thames sailing barges docked along the quay, and you could even take a cruise on a barge from £30 with Topsail Charters. Why not recreate the famous Titanic pose with your Valentine? If classic romantic films are more your style, take your partner on a steam train for some old-fashioned romance with the Epping Ongar Railway and the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel. Prices start at £8 for a trip from Epping to Ongar and £8 for entrance to the East Anglian Railway Museum.
A DINNER DATE FOR TWO
If you’re heading out on a dinner date this Valentine’s Day, try out one of many restaurants across the county for some delicious food. Try the Mistley Thorn Restaurant in Mistley, which o ers award-winning dining with stunning surrounds opposite the River Stour, using the best of the area’s seasonal produce, including fresh mussels from East Mersea and Mersea oysters all year round. Or head over to the Galvin Green Man in Chelmsford, owned by the successful
EPPING ONGAR RAILWAY
Michelin Star-winning Galvin brothers. Set in a beautiful riverside meadow with the River Chelmer flowing at the bottom of the gardens, it is the perfect romantic setting to take your partner for a meal. The gastropub’s menu focuses on pub restaurant classics with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
GO ON A ROMANTIC STROLL
With 350 miles of Essex coastline, there are plenty of places to take your partner to see the sun drop dramatically over the water. Head to Cudmore Grove on Mersea Island and stroll along the shoreline to watch the sun set over the North Sea, whilst enjoying
GALVIN GREEN MAN FINGRINGHOE WICK NATURE RESERVE
GOODIES FROM THE ENGLISH CREAM TEA COMPANY freshly harvested oysters, the food of love, in local restaurants. Walks inland can be just as romantic, so if you fancy a gentle stroll through nature, why not try out a stage of ‘The Essex Way’ trail, which runs all the way from Epping to Harwich, and you can meet it at any point along the way.
ADD ADVENTURE TO YOUR LIVES
If you’re thinking of adding excitement this Valentine’s Day, why not go for Adventure Island in Southend? How could anyone refuse when they’re on top of a rollercoaster or, waiting with bated breath, on ‘Skydrop’ which o ers stunning views across Southend? Or, if you’re looking for something equally as thrilling, head over to Nuclear High Ropes in Brentwood, where you could propose once your Valentine has completed the 40m zip line!
THE FOOD OF LOVE
The English Cream Tea Company will be welcoming lovebirds at the Secret Sconery, a romantic hideaway tucked away into the Essex countryside in White Roding near Dunmow. The special Valentine’s treat o ers tasty homemade fayre. The afternoon tea will be on Saturday 12 February with sittings at 1pm and 4pm and costs £37.95 per person. The owner’s afternoon tea making skills also recently became a TikTok sensation, and they o er lessons on how to replicate their afternoon teas. Why not take an ‘Afternoon Tea Preparation Masterclass for Two’ for £155?
L A S T I N G IMPRESSIONS
Why Braxted Park has everything you need to create a wedding to remember
Picture an exclusiveuse wedding venue surrounded by enchanting Essex countryside as far as the eye can see. The beautiful 500-acre estate of Braxted Park is steeped in a rich history that’s complemented by modern luxury.
A CAREFULLY CURATED VENUE
Braxted Park is the epitome of elegance and grandeur, truly the perfect setting for creating forever memories with everything you could dream of in one breathtaking location. This Essex jewel will make a lasting impression on you and your guests as you enter the gates with the house’s position at the end of a sweeping, torch-lit drive. This impression will remain with you as you journey through each moment of your wedding day.
On your wedding day, Braxted Park o ers complete exclusivity that will make you feel as though you’re miles away from the rest of the world, in your own private paradise. However, this peaceful and private setting is only a few miles from nearby towns and just one hour away from London. This makes it an ideal escape to the countryside in a central location that’s easy to reach.
MAKE YOUR PREPARATIONS
Begin your wedding day in secluded luxury. The beautiful bridal changing room is a self-contained courtyard retreat that provides the ideal spot to prepare before your ceremony. The stylish space o ers room for brides and their bridesmaids to get ready. Best of all, it's just a few steps through the Lantern Room to the Orangery from this calm and relaxing setting.
And there is also an equally private space in the Garden Cottage where the groom and his friends can get ready and relax before the main event. There’s plenty of space to spread out and enjoy breakfast and drinks before the day begins.
YOUR BREATHTAKING CEREMONY
Indoor, outdoor, or church ceremony, there’s something for everyone at Braxted Park. For an indoor civil ceremony, the Orangery is a luxury space that’s large enough to allow you to surround yourselves with friends and family. This bright and airy room is adorned with hand-painted frescos and magnificent arched windows that bring the beautiful gardens inside, whatever the season.
If you’d prefer an outdoor ceremony, the characterful summer house nestled within the beautiful walled gardens is full of delightful surprises and secluded nooks to explore. The outdoor ceremony o ers an undeniably enchanting space to celebrate your love.
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If a traditional religious ceremony is what you dream of, there’s no need to compromise. Braxted Park even has a church within its grounds. This hidden gem is steeped in history and romance dating back to 1042 and is just a short stroll past the tranquil lake to the house itself. This means that there’s no need to arrange transportation between the ceremony and reception, everything you could possibly need for your day is in one place.
A VERSATILE RECEPTION SPACE
There are so many options for your reception at Braxted Park. Why not start by soaking up the picturesque surroundings with a drinks reception in the Walled Gardens? The water features and blooming flower beds make a beautiful backdrop for mingling with guests. Follow this with your wedding breakfast and evening reception in The Pavilion, a grand and contemporary setting for sharing your first meal together as a married couple. This versatile space has the capacity to accommodate wedding parties of all sizes and comes fully equipped with a dancefloor, a well-stocked bar and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system that sets the scene for the best party of your life.
INCREDIBLE FOOD & DRINK
Braxted Park o ers food and drink menus that are completely versatile and flexible, tailored to suit your day perfectly.
Begin your meal with delicious cocktails and canapes served in the walled garden, followed up with an incredible fine dining experience in the glamourous setting of the Pavilion. For evening food, you can choose between a deliciously relaxed BBQ, hog roast or lots of tempting tapas.
Whether it be relaxed informality, sophisticated elegance, traditional British or a gourmet tour of cuisines from around the world, your meal will be created with the very best produce that’s sourced locally where possible. The team will collaborate directly with you to create a memorable experience that your guests will be talking about for years to come.
Braxted Park values exceptional food and service highly, knowing that this meal will be forever imprinted in your memory. The Braxted Park Kitchen team, headed up by Executive Chef Luke Davis, are committed to tailoring your menu to meet your needs. They will meet with you in the lead-up to the day, o ering exciting catering options or working with you to create a bespoke menu that’s exactly what you were imagining for your big day.
If you are planning a cultural wedding, Braxted Park o ers you the opportunity to hire the venue on a dry-hire basis. This allows you to arrange your own catering and bar requirements, using the Pavilion’s large capacity to plan the wedding you’ve always wanted in a stunning location. Dry hire of Braxted Park is perfect for Asian, Jewish, Afro-Caribbean, Turkish and other cultural weddings.
STAY THE NIGHT
If you don’t want your night to end, it doesn’t have to. The idyllic honeymoon Garden Cottage is a perfect place for spending your wedding night. It’s just a few steps away from your reception space and o ers a calming retreat to rest your head in at the end of the night. Its private garden, valley views and hidden terrace mean it really is the perfect honeymoon hideaway.
Keep your loved ones close for the evening too, as Braxted Park sleeps 35 guests over 12 bedrooms in the smart and contemporary stable block that has been recently renovated. There’s space for families and one completely accessible room, so all your guests are catered to.
Although Braxted Park is a secluded retreat, it’s also one of Essex’s best-placed wedding venues. In Colchester, just a short drive away, there is a variety of excellent hotels and B&Bs to suit all budgets.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Braxted Park is an experienced wedding venue that draws on the rich family history of the estate. The team prides itself on welcoming all couples into the extended family. That same personal approach is present throughout the whole experience at Braxted Park.
From the moment you step foot on the grounds at Braxted Park for your first visit, the friendly team is there to support you every step of the way and make sure that your dream wedding becomes a reality. There is something for everyone to love at Braxted Park, from the enchanting grounds to the quintessentially English feel of the walled garden and the glorious country house at the centre of it all.
To find out more about Braxted Park head to braxtedparkweddings.co.uk or contact a member of the Braxted Park team on 01621 770855 to book a visit (Photography by Matt Wing)
DRINK & FOOD
PERFECT PAIRING
RARE CHAMPAGNE
Announcing a new Rare Pairing series, Rare Champagne have enlisted top French chef, Mélanie Serre, to create new menus for the season. "I am delighted to explore, discover, create and compose menus for which I had a carte blanche," she says on the partnership. Turn to p47 to discover what she created in the kitchen. rare-champagne.com
