Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Waldegraves Holiday Park

Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB, Tel: 01206 822007, Email, www.bethchatto.co.uk, (7 miles, 12kms)

2.5 hectares (6 acres) of gravel, water and woodland gardens, a large modern tea room and plant nursery.

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RT, Tel: 01206 572422, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bourne-mill, (7 miles, 11kms)

National Trust property, the mill was originally built as a fishing lodge in 1591 and features stepped "Dutch" gables. There is a millpond and some of the machinery, including the waterwheel which is intact and working.

Town Centre, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1, www.visitcolchester.com, (8 miles, 13kms)

Bold, energetic and contrasting - Colchester is more than Britain's oldest recorded town.

Church Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NF, Tel: 01206 500900, Email, www.colchesterartscentre.com, (8 miles, 13kms)

The home of live music, comedy, theatre, poetry, dance, children's shows, clubs, farmer's markets, gigs and more.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ, Tel: 01206 282939, Email, www.cimuseums.org.uk, (8 miles, 13kms)

Colchester Castle is temporarily closed for 2013 for an exciting redevelopment. We will be creating new museum displays and improved visitor facilities. The Castle will re-open for Easter 2014. Visit our website for further details

Little Wigborough, Essex, UK, Tel: 01376 562226, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/copt-hall-marshes, (3 miles, 5kms)

Situated on the remote and attractive Blackwater Estuary, they are part of the Blackwater site of Special Scientific Interest. The salt marshes are rich in overwintering wildfowl and wading birds.

East Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8UE, Tel: 01206 383868, www.visitparks.co.uk, (2 miles, 4kms)

Cudmore Grove offers visitors a trip to the seaside with a difference at the eastern tip of Mersea Island. The park includes a sandy beach and open grassland, perfect for picnics and great views.

South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO5 7DN, Tel: 01206 729678, Email, www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/fingringhoe_wick, (4 miles, 6kms)

Nature reserve-125 acres of mixed habitat on the Colne Estuary. Nature trails, wheelchair access, bird hides, gift shop and visitors centre. Friendly atmosphere. Regular events for adults and children. Hot and cold drinks available.

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH, Tel: 01206 577067, Email, www.firstsite.uk.net, (8 miles, 12kms)

firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG, Tel: 01206 282940, www.cimuseums.org.uk, (8 miles, 13kms)

Three centuries of fascinating toys, costume & arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718. Parkland children's play area, shop, sensory garden. Free entry.

Jaywick Martello Tower, The Promenade, Belsize Avenue, Jaywick, Essex, CO15 2LF, Tel: 01255 822783, Email, www.jaywickmartellotower.org, (6 miles, 10kms)

Built originally as a Napoleonic Fort in the early 19th century the tower now acts as a central hub for the local community & visitors. There are regular arts & heritage exhibitions, talks & events.

Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US, Tel: 01206 330784, Email, www.layermarneytower.co.uk, (7 miles, 11kms)

Magnificent Tudor building with the tallest Gatehouse in Britain and 16th century Italianate terracotta. Climb the tower, visit the gardens, outbuildings dolls house, church and farm animals. Cafe and shop.

Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT, Tel: 01206 573948, Email, www.mercurytheatre.co.uk, (8 miles, 13kms)

A highly respected regional theatre, home to the critically acclaimed Mercury Theatre Company, staging a broad mix of classic plays and new writing as well as working extensively within the local community.

Mersea Island Museum, High Street, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8QD, Tel: 01206 385191, Email, www.merseamuseum.org.uk, (2 miles, 2kms)

Exhibits of Mersea's social history, natural history, archaeology and fishing industry, including a fisherman's cottage display. Special exhibitions and gift shop.

Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8SX, Tel: 01206 385900, www.merseawine.com, (0.5 miles, 0.8kms)

Producers of fine wines and real ale (cask and conditioned).

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DN, Tel: 01206 282941, www.cimuseums.org.uk, (8 miles, 12kms)

Discover and interesting 'hands-on' perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today. Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition, free entry.

Brightlingsea Road, Thorrington, Essex, CO7 8JJ, Tel: 01245 437677, Email, www.essex.gov.uk, (5 miles, 8kms)

Early 19th century tide mill with its machinery, which has been fully restored. Wheel can be run for guided groups (subject to tide).

1 Queen Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PG, Tel: 01206 282920, Email, www.visitcolchester.com, (8 miles, 12kms)

Home to lots of information about Colchester & the surrounding area, the knowledgeable & friendly staff are here to help you on what to do, where to go or places to stay. The place to buy gifts and souvenirs, book guided tours & coach trips

High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ, Tel: 01206 282962, Email, www.visitcolchester.com, (8 miles, 12kms)

The jewel in Colchester’s crown - an award-winning oasis of horticultural splendour boasting a children’s play area, putting green and boating lake.

Colchester, CO1 2PG, Tel: 01206 282920, (8 miles, 12kms)

Colchester Town Centre has a lot to offer with a wide range of shops and a great deal of different architechture

1 Old Hall Lane, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8TP, Tel: 01621 869015, Email, (5 miles, 8kms)

An opportunity to see an abundance of coastal wetland bird species in their natural environment.

In or near : Colchester, Essex, (5 miles, 9kms)

Conservation centre run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, at a site of international importance for winter wildfowl. Nesting cormorants, common terns and nightingales. Nature trails and bird hides. Shop selling gifts, optics and wildlife books.

In or near : Colchester, Essex, (7 miles, 11kms)

Contemporary art gallery showing temporary exhibitions and associated events. Parkland with lakes and sculptures.

In or near : Colchester, Essex, (8 miles, 13kms)

Bahai Faith

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

This early 16th century Tudor brick chapel attached to the former church of St Michael, was built as a burial chapel for the Audley family.

In or near : Colchester, Essex, (7 miles, 11kms)

Art gallery displaying fine detail watercolours by John Harrison, Originals high quailty prints and greeting cards for sale. Tea room providing teas speciality, coffees, lunches, snacks and cream teas. Closed on Mon & Tues.