Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of YHA Stour Valley Bunkhouse

Woodhill Road, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4AN, Tel: 01245 222350, Email, www.visitparks.co.uk

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

Village Centre, Dedham, Essex, CO7 6DE, www.visitcolchester.com

Set by the River Stour, Dedham is in the heart of Constable Country.

High Street, Dedham, Essex, CO7 6AD, Tel: 01206 322666, Email, www.dedhamartandcraftcentre.co.uk

This beautifully converted church showcases the work of over 40/50 creative artisans and the buying skills of specialist retailers on its top two floors while the ground floor houses a Lifestyle Living showroom and a tearoom.

Chappel Station, Wakes Colne, Essex, CO6 2DS, Tel: 01206 242524, Email, www.earm.co.uk

We are a living museum situated at the edge of Constable Country. Our heritage site is an interactive display of the region's industrial and social history of railways since the 19th century.

King's Quay Street, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3ER, Tel: 01255 553333, Email, www.electricpalace.com

One of the oldest (1911) least altered, purpose-built cinemas in Britain. Write for programme of films (enclose SAE) to Electric Palace Cinema, Kings Quay St, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3ER.

Paul's Nursery Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4AE, Tel: 0208 5296681, Email, www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/epping

39-41 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1EL, Tel: 01992 716882, Email, www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/museum

Located in a Tudor house dating back to 1520, this vibrant family friendly museum offers an exciting temporary exhibitions programme and free events and activities for children and families.

Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN, Tel: 01277 365200, Email, www.eorailway.co.uk

Epping Ongar Railway is Essex's LONGEST heritage railway and the CLOSEST TO LONDON, running from Ongar to North Weald and into Epping Forest.

Finchingfield, Essex, CM7 4NR, Tel: 01245 437677, Email, www.essex.gov.uk

A small 18th century Post Mill having one pair of stones and tailpole winding and has been extensively restored. Visitors may climb up to the first two floors.

South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO5 7DN, Tel: 01206 729678, Email, www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/fingringhoe_wick

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

firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.

Flatford, East Bergholt, Nr Ipswich, Suffolk, CO7 6UL, Tel: 01206 298260, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford

A delightful 16th century cottage just minutes from Flatford Mill. Why not visit our Constable exhibition then sit by the river and enjoy a freshly baked cake at the National Trust tea room and find a gift in our shop.

Castle Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1BD, Tel: 01799 513779, www.fryartgallery.org

Unique collection of work by 20th century artists who have lived in and around Great Bardfield & Saffron Walden, e.g. Edward Bawden, Michael Rothenstein, Eric Ravilious and others. Facebook: The Fry Art Gallery, Twitter: @FryArtGallery

Mill Lane, Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1BG, Tel: 01371 873109, Email, www.greatdunmowmaltings.co.uk

A unique surviving C16th Grade 2* listed timber framed building, fully restored retaining the original floor maltings infrastructure used between c1565 & 1948. Incorporates the Town Museum & modern conference facilities for 70 people.

Great Notley Country Park (A131),, Braintree, Essex, CM77 7FS, Tel: 01376 347134, www.visitparks.co.uk

The Discovery Centre is set in a 100 acre country park providing beautiful walks around lakes, meadows & woods. Full educational package for schools. Conference facilities, café & giftshop. New adventure play trails for toddlers to teens.

Park Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7SP, Tel: 01206 230455, Email, www.greenislandgardens.co.uk

20 acres of professionally designed gardens within woodland destroyed by the 1987 hurricane. Now a plantsman's paradise full of unusual plants for all year round colour.

Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 3GP, Tel: 08456 770 600, Email, www.visitleevalley.org.uk

Open since 2004, Gunpowder has been reclaimed and regenerated from its former use as a Royal Ordnance munitions testing facility.

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

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