There is indeed some beautiful countryside in Essex, it is a lovely county and much underrated. I live just over the border into Hertfordshire, which is also lovely, but I spend a lot of time in Essex. Chelmsford and Colchester are great towns to visit, but there is a great deal of open countryside all around. I also like the area around Maldon.
No so good for the dogs, we left ours in the car and popped out every so often, but Colchester Zoo is well worth a visit. Easily spend a day there......
I grew up in Tendring, Essex. I still have relatives there too. Colchester is good for shopping, there's bowling and roller skating there as well for the teenagers. Colchester Zoo is one of the best zoos in the UK, an easy place to spend a day.
Walton on Naze has a car park so you can park up and walk dogs. If you don't mind a little travelling then East Anglia as a whole has many old historic houses. Pleasurewood Hills theme park isn't to bad to get to for the day either.
If you like wooded walks, you may luck in with bluebells. This is a hidden gem but I've not been in some years. http://www.essexwt.org.uk/reserves/weeleyhall-wood
Quote: Originally posted by Nosaj on 20/3/2015
If you want to head up into Suffolk (within an hour drive) then check out the coastal places between Alderburgh and Southwold.
And Adnams Brewery
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
Quote: Originally posted by Nosaj on 20/3/2015This is a good source of Info or you can always pop in and have a cup of tea with my parents who are just down the road from Homestead http://www.visitessex.com/what-to-do/
If you want to head up into Suffolk (within an hour drive) then check out the coastal places between Alderburgh and Southwold.
This afternoon I went to a conference hosted by Visit Essex. I went on behalf of the Epping Ongar Railway, but I was surprised to learn just how much there actually is to do in Essex. Don't tell everyone though, or we'll be over-run!
Walton on the Naze us a lovely walk along the coast (eyes down and you're pretty much guaranteed to find at least one shark's tooth.
Walton has a proper pie and mash shop that we travel 45 mins just to visit.
Clacton has an outlet village.
Chelmsford for ice skating.
Colchester has the castle museum and toy museum plus typical town centre shops. There's also a good swimming pool with flumes.
You won't be all that far from Dedham and Flatford which are both lovely riverside walks with rowing boat hire. If weather permits,you can swim in the river at dedham (left after the bridge from the car park to keep away from boats).
Huge boot sale at Ardleigh if you're into that kind of thing...