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Layer Marney Tower

 Discover Essex

Discover great days out, family fun activities and romantic weekend breaks in this exciting and diverse region. Essex is crammed full of historic gems, hidden in tiny villages throughout the county, from Copford Church with its beautiful Byzantine frescoes to Layer Marney Tower, the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England. visit the coastline for a seaside day out or to watch the ferry leaving Harwich for Holland or why not simply stroll through some of our beautiful parks and gardens on a sunny day

Discover the past with a trip to Colchester Castle Museum at the heart of Britain's oldest recorded town or travel west to Hedingham Castle, a stunning Norman Keep built in 1140 and visited by Queen Elizabeth I.

Click on the links below to download suggested itineraries:

Historic West Essex

Mid Essex Delights

Essex Heartland

Sutton House to Sutton Hoo

Cultural Essex

firstsite newsite gallery, fantastic new art space in Colchester. Link through to more cultural Essex articles.

Essex has a diverse heritage offering interesting cultural associations.

Maritime Essex

Maldon Quay, the home of the graceful and historic Thames Sailing Barges. Link through to more maritime Essex articles.

350 miles of spectacular coastline, estuaries and coastal villages.

Rural Essex

Dedham Vale, in the heart of Essex countryside. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that inspired painter John Constable and made him a painter according to his own words. Link through to more articles on rural Essex.

Undulating countryside, rolling wheatfields and ancient woodlands cover three quarters of the county.

Historic Essex

Colchester Castle. The first recycled building in Essex. Built on Roman foundations by the Normans this is one of the finest examples of a Norman keep in Europe. Link through to more articles on historic Essex.

Influenced by Romans, Saxons and Normans Essex's history is rich and contrasting.