Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Blue Strawberry Bistro

Church Street, Great Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 7JW, Tel: 01245 476159, Email, www.baddowantiques.co.uk, (6 miles, 9kms)

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.

Manor Street, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3HW, Tel: 01376 325266, Email, www.braintree.gov.uk/info/200283/leisure_and_culture/262/braintree_museum, (7 miles, 12kms)

This award winning museum is based in the converted Courtauld School and has displays from Crittall steel windows to Warners royal silks, Castle Hedingham pottery to Edward Bawden prints.

Paper Mill Lock, North Hill, Little Baddow, Essex, CM3 4BS, Tel: 07813 014325, Email, www.papermilllock.co.uk, (2 miles, 3kms)

Public trips and charters aboard traditional 48-seat barge "Victoria" with bar and catering options. Cruiser and dinghy hire, lock-side tea-room, island picnic area, walks and fishing. Coaches welcome by appointment.

Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9AQ, Tel: 01245 605700, www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museum, (7 miles, 11kms)

Local and social history from prehistory to present day; fine and decorative arts (ceramics, glass); coins; natural history (geology, animals, live beehive). Exhibitions and events. Set in park with children's play area.

The National Trust, Grange Hill, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1RE, Tel: 01376 562226, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coggeshall-grange-barn, (8 miles, 12kms)

Grange Barn stands as a reminder of the once powerful Coggeshall Abbey; with ancient pillars soaring to a cathedral like roof.

Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ, Tel: 01621 841826, Email, www.cmsm.co.uk, (5 miles, 8kms)

An amazing collection of British military artefacts dating from the English Civil War to present day, including an espionage collection belonging to the British Secret Agents.

Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Cressing, Nr. Witham, CM77 8PD, Tel: 01376 584903, Email, www.cressingtemple.org.uk, (4 miles, 7kms)

Two magnificent 13th century barns, once owned by the mysterious Knights Templar; Tudor walled garden; rural buildings from seventeenth century onwards. Well-stocked gift shop and tea-room. Audio tour guide available.

Off Riffhams Chase, Little Baddow, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2, Tel: 01376 562226, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/danbury-commons-and-blakes-wood/, (3 miles, 5kms)

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, (5 miles, 8kms)

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

Great Notley Country Park (A131),, Braintree, Essex, CM77 7FS, Tel: 01376 347134, www.visitparks.co.uk, (7 miles, 11kms)

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.

Hylands Park, London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQ, Tel: 01245 605500, Email, www.chelmsford.gov.uk/hylands, (8 miles, 13kms)

Rescued from ruin & steeped in history, Hylands House is a fascinating & beautifully restored country house, dating from 1730. Hylands House is now open to the public every Sunday throughout the year, & on Mondays during the summer months.

47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX, Tel: 01621 853699, Email, www.maldonmuseum.org.uk, (5 miles, 8kms)

Social history museum of Maldon and District situated on the edge of the award winning Promenade Park.

Wenlock Way, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5AD, Tel: 01621 856503, Email, (5 miles, 8kms)

Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA, Tel: 01621 843183, Email, www.museumofpower.org.uk, (3 miles, 5kms)

A former steam pumping station, with power related exhibits, tea room, picnic area and miniature railway. Set in attractive riverside grounds.

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.

Northey Cottage, Northey Island, Maldon, Essex, UK, Tel: 01376 562226, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northey-island/, (7 miles, 11kms)

Small Island in the Blackwater Estuary with a large area of undisturbed salt marsh. Site of special scientific interest. Site of the Battle of the Maldon in AD991. Guided tours by prior arrangement.

Paycockes, 25 West Street, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1NS, Tel: 01376 561305, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/paycockes, (8 miles, 12kms)

Built in the 16th century, this attractive half-timbered house is a grand example of wealth generated by the cloth trade.

Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET, Tel: 0845 265 8071, Email, www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall, (8 miles, 12kms)

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

Church Road, Rivenhall, Essex, CM8 3PQ, Tel: 01376 512781, www.essexchurches.info/church.asp?p=Rivenhall, (4 miles, 7kms)

This Saxon church is on the site of a Roman villa. The Victorians gave the church its present appearance and its greatest treasure: French stained glass from the 12th century.

High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5PF, Tel: 01621 857373, www.themoothall.co.uk, (5 miles, 8kms)

15th Century brick building with spiral staircase includes a Georgian court room and Victorian Council Chamber.

Warners Mill, Silks Way, Essex, CM7 3GB, Tel: 01376 557803, Email, www.warnertextilearchive.co.uk, (7 miles, 12kms)

A unique record of the history of textile design. The gallery is a celebration of the fabrics and designs produced by Warner and Sons from the mid 19th century.

Wilkin's Jam Factory, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex, CO5 0RF, Tel: 01621 814524, Email, www.tiptree.com, (7 miles, 12kms)

Tiptree is the home of the Wilkin family - where from 1885 the first Tiptree jam was made. Delightful museum, tea room and gift shop.

Town Hall, 61 Newland Street, Witham, Essex, CM8 2FE, Tel: 01376 502674, Email, (3 miles, 4kms)

Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1JG, Tel: 01245 606505, www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres, (6 miles, 10kms)

The city of Chelmsford's biggest theatre the Civic and smaller studio the Cramphorn, hold host to some of the regions's top drama, music, comedy, dance and children's entertainment.

Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ, Tel: 01621 856503, Email, www.maldon.gov.uk, (6 miles, 9kms)

100 year old Edwardian park with ornamental lake, magnificent river views and walks. Large free water Splash Park, sandpits, galleon play ship and aerial zip-wire, picnic areas and numerous events held throughout the year.

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

Admirals Park