Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Colchester Castle Museum

Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB, Tel: 01206 822007, Email, www.bethchatto.co.uk, (4 miles, 7kms)

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, (1 miles, 2kms)

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.

Green Lane, Boxted, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5TS, Tel: 01206 271136, Email, www.cartersvineyards.co.uk, (4 miles, 7kms)

Forty acre site including seven acres of vines and a variety of trails through woodland, around lakes and wildflower meadows. Self guided tours and tastings of our wines. Winery powered by wind and sun generated energy.

Town Centre, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1, www.visitcolchester.com, (0.1 miles, 0.2kms)

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, (0.4 miles, 0.6kms)

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, (0.0 miles, 0.0kms)

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, (7 miles, 11kms)

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, (8 miles, 12kms)

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.

Village Centre, Dedham, Essex, CO7 6DE, www.visitcolchester.com, (6 miles, 10kms)

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, (6 miles, 10kms)

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, (7 miles, 11kms)

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, (5 miles, 8kms)

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, (0.1 miles, 0.2kms)

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, (7 miles, 11kms)

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.

Park Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7SP, Tel: 01206 230455, Email, www.greenislandgardens.co.uk, (4 miles, 6kms)

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.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG, Tel: 01206 282940, www.cimuseums.org.uk, (0.1 miles, 0.2kms)

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, (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.

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH, Tel: 01206 282000, Email, www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk, (0.4 miles, 0.6kms)

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.

Barlon Road, Little Bromley, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2PP, Tel: 01634 845944, (6 miles, 10kms)

This delightful country church is surrounded on all sides by flat Essex farmland. The nave is Norman, the chancel of about 1300, and the timber-framed porch 16th century.

Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT, Tel: 01206 573948, Email, www.mercurytheatre.co.uk, (0.4 miles, 0.6kms)

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.

Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8SX, Tel: 01206 385900, www.merseawine.com, (8 miles, 12kms)

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

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DN, Tel: 01206 282941, www.cimuseums.org.uk, (0.1 miles, 0.1kms)

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.

The Walls, Manningtree, Colchester, Essex, CO11 1AS, Tel: 01206 392717, Email, www.northhousegallery.co.uk, (8 miles, 13kms)

Riverside gallery with monthly selling exhibitions of work by modern and contemporary artists of East Anglian, national and international fame.

Off Aldcar Road, Copford Green, CO6 1DG, Tel: 01206 210488, (4 miles, 7kms)

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.

Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZ, Tel: 01206 322127, Email, www.siralfredmunnings.co.uk, (6 miles, 9kms)

The Home and Studios of Sir Alfred Munnings, PPRA.

Brightlingsea Road, Thorrington, Essex, CO7 8JJ, Tel: 01245 437677, Email, www.essex.gov.uk, (6 miles, 10kms)

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