Follow one of our themed breaks or itineraries to help you discover our county.
From coastal and cultural to historic and heritage, our self-drive itineraries will make it easy for you to discover Essex. All routes have suggested attractions to visit as well as overnight accommodation and places to eat along the routes, making them ideal for planning a short break.

A fascinating tour of west Essex that starts at the Royal Gunpowder Mills where you can explore its 300-year history in the production of explosives all the way to the splendid Audley End House and Gardens near Saffron Walden.
This journey will take you through some of the more unusual and mysterious parts of Essex including the picturesque town of Manningtree where Matthew Hopkins, the last Witchfinder General of England, is said to be haunting the site of the pond in which he drowned.
Explore our county
Explore our 350 miles of coastline, the longest shoreline of any county in England, a place of surprising wild beauty, rich in wildlife and sprinkled with history and hidden cultural gems.