Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Frasers

Church Street, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 7JW, Tel: 01245 476159, Email, www.baddowantiques.co.uk, (7 miles, 11kms)

One of the leading antiques centres in Essex. 20 dealers offer a wide selection of quality antiques and collectables. 300 Victorian brass and iron bedsteads on show. Restoration services available.

Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD, Tel: 01268 290213, www.barleylands.co.uk, (6 miles, 9kms)

Visit Barleylands where the whole family can Play, Shop, Eat and Learn all in one place.

Barleylands Road, Billericay, Essex, CM11 2UD, Tel: 01268 290213, www.barleylands.co.uk, (6 miles, 9kms)

Get ready for free range family fun at Barleylands Farm Park. Say hello to cuddly farmyard friends, run wild in the indoor play or jump aboard the tractor and trailer ride.

The Old Granary, Hawk Hill, Battlesbridge, Essex, SS11 7RE, Tel: 01268 769000, Email, www.battlesbridge.com, (0.1 miles, 0.2kms)

5 interesting old buildings housing over 70 dealers in antiques & crafts. On the banks of the River Crouch in a picturesque hamlet, with tea rooms and 18th century pub. Visits to the Classic Motor Cycle Museum on Sundays or by appointment.

Off Riffhams Chase, Little Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2, Tel: 01376 562226, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/danbury-commons-and-blakes-wood/, (8 miles, 12kms)

Owned by the National Trust, Danbury Commons and Blakes wood encompass a large expanse of heathland, gorse and coppice, in addition to woodland.

Woodhill Road, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4AN, Tel: 01245 222350, Email, www.visitparks.co.uk, (6 miles, 10kms)

Danbury Country Park offers quiet recreation amongst the walled gardens, lakes and woodland of Danbury Palace.

Castle Lane, Essex, SS7 2PP, Tel: 01223 582700, Email, www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/hadleigh-castle, (5 miles, 8kms)

The impressive remains of a mighty fortress constructed over seven centuries ago; overlooking the Essex Marshes, the barbican and two towers remain standing today.

Chapel Lane Car Park, Chapel Lane, Hadleigh, Essex, SS7 2PP, Tel: 01702 551072, Email, www.hadleighcountrypark.co.uk, (5 miles, 8kms)

Fields and woodland overlooking the Thames estuary. Remains of castle close by, accessible by footpath. Access via Chapel Lane. Guided Events Programme running throughout the year and site leaflet available.

Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1WT, Tel: 01268 711001, Email, www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/hanningfield_reservoir, (4 miles, 6kms)

A warm welcome will always greet you at Hanningfield reservoir visitor centre.The visitor centre is set in mature woodland and offers superb views over the 870 acre Hanningfield Reservoir.

High Street, Old Town, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend, Essex, UK, Tel: 01702 470834, www.leighsociety.co.uk/leighheritagecentre.htm, (6 miles, 10kms)

Museum with photographic display of the history of Leigh-on-Sea, and fully restored fisherman's cottage, circa l850, situated in the waterside High Street of the Old Town.

Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP, Tel: 01245 321552, Email, www.marshfarm.co.uk, (2 miles, 3kms)

Farm trail with pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens, ponies and pets. Daily milking demonstrations, gift shop, tea room, play areas. Please book in advance for group bookings and birthday parties.

Chelmsford Road, Purleigh, Essex, CM3 6PN, Tel: 01621 828343, Email, www.newhallwines.co.uk, (6 miles, 10kms)

92 acre vineyard open daily. Includes farm trail, vineyard walk and wine tasting in the cellar shop. Annual wine festival first full weekend in September. Guided tours by appointment from May to September.

430 London Road, Southend, Essex, SS0 9LA, Tel: 01702 351135, www.palacetheatresouthend.co.uk, (8 miles, 12kms)

A truly unique building, the Palace always offers a vibrant mix of comedy, music, drama and shows.

Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend, Essex, SS2 6NB, Tel: 01702 342878, www.southendmuseums.co.uk, (8 miles, 12kms)

Well preserved 12th Century Priory housing a museum of the Priory's history.

Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET, Tel: 0845 265 8071, Email, www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall, (3 miles, 5kms)

A garden of inspiration beauty with an eclectic range of horticultural styles from traditional to modern providing year round interest.

Pitsea Hall Lane, Basildon, Essex, SS16 4UH, Tel: 01268 498620, Email, www.rspb.org.uk/southessexmarshes, (6 miles, 9kms)

Come and see us in our new RSPB visitor centre, which includes state-of-the-art CCTV putting the secrets of the natural world right in front of your eyes. Open daily, all year round, 10 am – 5 pm.

Mill Lane, Stock, Essex, CM4 9RY, Tel: 01245 437677, Email, www.essex.gov.uk, (6 miles, 9kms)

A 19thC towermill, recently restored to working order and typical of the latest in millwright's techniques just before windmills became obsolete.

Wickford Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5QZ, Tel: 01245 425394, Email, www.tropicalwings.co.uk, (2 miles, 3kms)

Tropical Wings Zoo is home to exotic animals, birds of prey and free flying butterflies in our Tropical House making it a great day out for everyone!

Chalkwell Hall, Chalkwell Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 8NB, Tel: 01702 470700, Email, www.metalculture.com, (7 miles, 12kms)

METAL provide innovative, multi-disciplinary residency space for artists from the UK and overseas in Southend on Sea at Chalkwell Hall.

Chruch Road, Bowers Gifford, Essex, SS7 5BN, Tel: 01268 559158, www.RSPB.org.uk, (5 miles, 8kms)

Nature reserve in the Thames Gateway area.

Pitsea, Essex, SS13 3JX, Tel: 01268 559158, (5 miles, 8kms)

Nature reserve in the Thames Gateway area.

Canvey Island, Essex, SS8 0PS, Tel: 01268 559158, (7 miles, 11kms)

Nature reserve in the Thames Gateway area.

In or near : Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, (6 miles, 10kms)

Remnants of the ancient oak, birch and hornbeam woodland that once covered much of Essex; includes woodland walks and a nature reserve, 18 hole public golf course, riding stables, tennis courts and bowling greens.

In or near : Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, (6 miles, 10kms)

Formal ornamental gardens and traditional pasture and scrub. Part of the area is managed as a Local Nature Reserve which is a vital haven for wild flowers and invertebrates, Belton Hills is home to a number of rare species.

In or near : Brentwood, Essex, (6 miles, 10kms)

The new (1991) Roman Catholic classical cathedral church of St Mary and St Helen incorporates part of the original Victorian church. Designed by distinguished Classical architect Quinlan Terry with roundels by Raphael Maklouf.

In or near : Rochford, Essex, (8 miles, 12kms)