Browsing places to eat & drink

77 Eastwoodbury Crescent, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 6XG, Tel: 01702 543 001, Email, www.hisouthend.com

The striking, fully sound-proofed 1935 Rooftop Restaurant and Bar sits at top of the five-storey Holiday Inn Southend and takes its name from the year that the airport opened as a municipal airport for the public.

Navestock Side, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5SD, Tel: 01277 375696, www.alecsrestaurant.com

Alec's Restaurant Bar & Grill sets out to provide simple, quality food cooked the way you wish. Whether it be enjoying the surrounding countryside or watching the cricketers on the green opposite, the location is superb.

East Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TZ, Tel: 01206 866677, Email, www.roseandcrowncolchester.co.uk

Originally a 14th Century coaching inn lovingly restored to a modern day hotel with 39 bedrooms, 2 function rooms and a bar.

Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB, Tel: 01206 822007, Email, www.bethchatto.co.uk

2.5 hectares (6 acres) of gravel, water and woodland gardens, a large modern tea room and plant nursery.

The Street, Hatfield Peverel, Essex, CM3 2DW, Tel: 01245 381333, Email, www.bluestrawberrybistro.co.uk

A relaxed friendly place to simply dine, entertain or celebrate. It is our desire to serve the freshest finest food at the most affordable prices possible.

Five Lakes Hotel,Golf,Country Club & Spa, Colchester Road, Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon, Essex, CM9 8HX, Tel: 01621 862324, Email, www.cpcolchester.co.uk

A spectrum of facilities for business, pleasure and leisure

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.

High Street, Dedham, Essex, CO7 6DE, Tel: 01206 323101, Email, www.trooms.com

The Essex Rose Tea House serves a range of sandwiches, lunch specials, hot and cold snacks, home-baked cakes and cream teas served with Tiptree Strawberry Conserve with two scones, butter and clotted cream and Tiptree tea of your choice.

Ground Floor, 22 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6FA, Tel: 01245 409255, Email, www.giraffe.net/classic/location/chelmsford

Take a food safari and sample some of the world's most popular dishes at Giraffe, the global restaurant in Chelmsford with a huge heart.

Stock Road, Stock, Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 9BE, Tel: 01277 829214, Email, www.greenwoodshotel.co.uk

Greenwoods Hotel Spa & Retreat is a beautiful 17th Century manor house set in landscaped gardens. The hotel is located in Stock, Essex, close to the towns of Chelmsford and Billericay.

Titchmarsh Marina, Coles Lane, Walton on the Naze, Essex, CO14 8SL, Tel: 01255 851887, Email, www.harbourlightscarvery.co.uk

The Harbour Lights is open 365 a year serving hot food from 12noon every day. This includes an all day carvery plus alternative menu of 10 English, 10 Indian & 5 Chinese meals.

Gun Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6HP, Tel: 01206 323150, Email, www.milsomhotels.com

Beside the River Stour on Essex/Suffolk border. Award winning restaurant offering great food, service and atmosphere.

1-3 Silver Street, Stansted, Essex, CM24 8HA, Tel: 01279 813003, Email, www.lindenhousestansted.co.uk

Linden House is a stylish renovated 19th-century property, which is a 15-minute drive from Stansted Airport. Stansted Mountfitchet railway station is a 5-minute walk and has services to London, Stratford, Cambridge and Stansted Airport.

191 - 193 High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5BS, Tel: 01621 850985, Email, www.maldontandoori.co.uk

Established family orientated restaurant serving best authentic Indian/ Bangladeshi dishes. The owners pride themselves in their customer service endeavouring to give every customer a great experience.

Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG, Tel: 01376 563796, Email, www.markshall.org.uk

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.

Mill Lane, Dedham, Essex, CO7 6DH, Tel: 01206 323250, Email, www.marlborough-head.co.uk

Good home cooked food at 16thC Marlborough Head Inn located on the High Street in the picturesque village of Dedham, which is well placed for Colchester, Harwich and Ipswich. It is a perfect base from which to explore Constable Country.

Stratford Road, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6HW, Tel: 01206 322795, Email, www.milsomhotels.com

Milsoms is a vibrant restaurant and bar with 15 stylish bedrooms. We offer private dining and meeting space for 8 to 30 people.

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH, Tel: 01206 713713, www.musa-firstsite.co.uk

Located within a stone's throw of the bustling High Street, find MUSA, the contemporary café restaurant based in Colchester's striking new firstsite building.