Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Layer Marney Tower

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RT, Tel: 01206 572422, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bourne-mill, (6 miles, 10kms)

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.

The National Trust, Grange Hill, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1RE, Tel: 01376 562226, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coggeshall-grange-barn, (6 miles, 9kms)

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

Town Centre, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1, www.visitcolchester.com, (7 miles, 11kms)

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, (6 miles, 10kms)

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, (7 miles, 11kms)

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

Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ, Tel: 01621 841826, Email, www.cmsm.co.uk, (8 miles, 12kms)

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.

Little Wigborough, Essex, UK, Tel: 01376 562226, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/copt-hall-marshes, (4 miles, 6kms)

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.

Chappel Station, Wakes Colne, Essex, CO6 2DS, Tel: 01206 242524, Email, www.earm.co.uk, (7 miles, 12kms)

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.

South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO5 7DN, Tel: 01206 729678, Email, www.essexwt.org.uk/visitor_centres__nature_reserves/fingringhoe_wick, (8 miles, 12kms)

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, (7 miles, 11kms)

firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG, Tel: 01206 282940, www.cimuseums.org.uk, (7 miles, 11kms)

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.

Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US, Tel: 01206 330784, Email, www.layermarneytower.co.uk, (0.0 miles, 0.0kms)

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.

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH, Tel: 01206 282000, Email, www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk, (7 miles, 11kms)

Leisure World Colchester is one of East Anglia's largest sports, leisure, recreation and entertainment venues and offers year round fun for all the family. The leisure pool includes outside river rapids ride, water cannons and flumes.

Wenlock Way, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5AD, Tel: 01621 856503, Email, (8 miles, 13kms)

Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG, Tel: 01376 563796, Email, www.markshall.org.uk, (7 miles, 12kms)

A tree collection from all the temperate areas of the world set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape provides interest and enjoyment throughout the year at Marks Hall.

Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT, Tel: 01206 573948, Email, www.mercurytheatre.co.uk, (6 miles, 10kms)

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, (6 miles, 10kms)

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, (7 miles, 12kms)

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

Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA, Tel: 01621 843183, Email, www.museumofpower.org.uk, (8 miles, 13kms)

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

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DN, Tel: 01206 282941, www.cimuseums.org.uk, (6 miles, 10kms)

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.

Northey Cottage, Northey Island, Maldon, Essex, UK, Tel: 01376 562226, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/northey-island/, (8 miles, 12kms)

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, (6 miles, 10kms)

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

Church Road, Rivenhall, Essex, CM8 3PQ, Tel: 01376 512781, www.essexchurches.info/church.asp?p=Rivenhall, (6 miles, 10kms)

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.

Off Aldcar Road, Copford Green, CO6 1DG, Tel: 01206 210488, (3 miles, 5kms)

Celebrated 12th century apsidal church with magnificent colour medieval wall paintings, showing a strong Byzantine influence in content and design as well as technical excellence and lavishness of execution.

1 Queen Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PG, Tel: 01206 282920, Email, www.visitcolchester.com, (6 miles, 10kms)

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

Wilkin's Jam Factory, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex, CO5 0RF, Tel: 01621 814524, Email, www.tiptree.com, (2 miles, 3kms)

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