Take it Easy

Take time to explore the quieter, lesser-known parts of coastal Essex and you will be rewarded at every turn. Escape from everyday life and indulge in a tour and wine tasting at an excellent vineyard, explore the historic forts at Tilbury, Coalhouse or Colchester Castle museum or listen to nightingales and nature-watch at Essex Wildlife Trust and RSPB reserves across the county. The Essex mud flats and saltmarsh are perfect terrain for birds.

The low level, expansive landscapes make for enjoyable, easy walking and cycling, and the mild, maritime climate encourages the gardens to grow sub-tropical in places - Beth Chatto’s on the Tendring Peninsular and RHS Hyde Hall, near Chelmsford are two ‘must-see’ gardens.

Itineraries to inspire!

Inspiration

Number of results: 123

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RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Address

Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ET

Telephone
+44 (0)1245 402019

hydehall@rhs.org.uk

Chelmsford

Set in the heart of rural Essex and enjoying stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, RHS Hyde Hall is one of the finest gardens in the East of England and a haven of peace and tranquility.
Holiday Inn Southend

Address

77 Eastwoodbury Crescent, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6XG

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 543001

reservations@hisouthend.com

Price
Price £90.00 to £135.00 per room per night

Southend-on-Sea

A contemporary 4 star hotel located in Southend-on-Sea, Holiday Inn Southend has something to offer everyone. Whether you choose to stay for business or leisure, each of the 129 stylish bedrooms includes Holidreamer beds, air conditioning, AA…

Price
Price £90.00 to £135.00 per room per night
Roslin Beach Hotel

Address

10-14 Thorpe Esplanade, Thorpe Bay, Southend, Essex, SS1 3BG

Telephone
01702 586375

info@roslinhotel.com

Thorpe Bay, Southend

Relax in style in one of the contemporary and elegant 37 rooms, or treat yourself by choosing one of our luxurious suites or an individually designed executive room. Enjoy luxurious treatments in the Roslin Beach Hotel Retreat, where your wellbeing…
The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall

Address

East End Road, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex, CM0 7PW

Telephone
01621 776846

bradwellchurch@btinternet.com

Bradwell-on-Sea

The Chapel of St Peters-on-the-Wall is the oldest church in England, situated on the Essex coast.
Mistley Towers

Address

The Walls, Mistley, Essex

Telephone
+44 (0)1223 582700

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Mistley

This is a rare example of Robert Adam's ecclesiastical work. Originally it was a parish church, St. Mary the Virgin, that had been built in the 18th century in the Georgian style. Sadly the two towers are now all that remain.
1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar

Address

77 Eastwoodbury Crescent, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 6XG

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 543 001

salesmgr@hisouthend.com

Southend on Sea

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 the airport opened as a municipal airport to the public.
Cudmore Grove Country Park

Address

Bromans Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8UE

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 383868

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

Colchester

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.
Cliffs Pavilion

Address

Station Road, Southend, Essex, SS0 7RA

Telephone
03433100030

Southend

Southend's premier entertainment complex, the Cliffs Pavilion is a great place to experience live performances. The region's leading theatre and concert hall, programmes include touring West End musicals, ballet, concerts and comedy.
Southchurch Hall and Gardens

Address

Southchurch Hall Close, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2TE

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 467671

museums@southend.gov.uk

Southend-on-Sea

Southchurch Hall is medieval moated manor house, which dates to the early 14th century.
The house allows visitors to explore what life was like during the medieval, Tudor, Stuart and Victorian times, with a beautiful selection of historic furniture…
Brightlingsea Boat Trips

Address

Harbour Office, 4 Copperas Road, Brightlingsea, Colchester, Essex, CO7 0AP

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 302200

mail@brightlingseaharbour.org

Brightlingsea, Colchester

From April to Mid September Brightlingsea Harbour runs a daily foot ferry service to Mersea Island and Point Clear. On certain dates a pub lunch river cruise along the River Colne to Rowhedge. Or take a river cruise up river to St Osyth Boatyard…
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome

Address

Flambirds Chase, Hackmans Lane, Nr Maldon, Essex, CM3 6RJ

info@stowmaries.org.uk

Nr Maldon

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is a unique place with a unique history. It is the largest known surviving group of RFC buildings on a WWI aerodrome which was not adapted for further military use later in its history. Its collection of aircraft,…
Essex Waterways Limited

Address

Papermill Lock, North Road, Little Baddow, Maldon, Essex, CM3 4BS

Telephone
01245226245

Essex@waterways.org.uk

Little Baddow, Maldon

This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 12 locks.
Chelmer & Blackwater Canal Walk

Address

The Lock House, Heybridge Basin, CM9 4RY

Telephone
+44 (0)7712 079764

Heybridge Basin

This waterway runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects the county town of Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. It is 13.8 miles (22.1 km) long and has 13 locks.
Sands by the Sea

Address

Western Esplanade, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, Essex, SS1 1EE

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 468123

enquiries@stockvale.co.uk

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

Fish and Chips at Sands by the Sea – the new look and taste of the nation’s favourite dish!
The High Lighthouse

Address

West Street, Harwich, CO12 3DR

Telephone
+44 (0)1255 506183

Harwich

The High Lighthouse was leading lights for the channel into Harwich Harbour, until 1863. The building is 90 feet high and has 100 steps to the top where you can experience stunning views over the Harbour and Town.
Mercury Theatre

Address

Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 573948

info@mercurytheatre.co.uk

Colchester

The Mercury Theatre Colchester is a vital centre of excellence in the East’s growing creative economy. The theatre has recently reopened to the public following an £11.3 million Mercury Rising redevelopment project to increase capacity,…
The Museum in the Park

Address

47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX

Telephone
07973 559981

enquiries@maldonmuseum.org.uk

Maldon

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

Address

Carriage house, Station Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LQ

Telephone
+44 (0)1621 841826

admin@cmsm.co.uk

Maldon

An award winning collection of British military artefacts from the English Civil War to today. Collections focus on the Special Forces, espionage, uniforms, medals, swords and the Donnington Firearms Collection of over 700 guns. Family friendly…
Hadleigh Castle

Address

Castle Lane, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 2AP

Telephone
+44 (0) 370 333 1181

CustomerCare@English-Heritage.org.uk

Benfleet

The impressive remains of a mighty fortress constructed over seven centuries ago; overlooking the Essex Marshes, the barbican and two towers remain standing today.
Topsail Charters

Address

Cooks Barge Yard, The Hythe, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HN

Telephone
+44 (0)1621 857567

info@top-sail.co.uk

Maldon

Public trips and private hire (up to 50 guests) onboard historic sailing barges ‘Hydrogen’ and ‘Thistle’ from a variety of East Coast locations including Maldon, Brightlingsea, Harwich and Ipswich.