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: 125

, currently showing 101 to 120.

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Walk in Constables Footsteps

Address

Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2HH

Telephone
01206 299460

Essex

Constable Country, part of the stunning Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is both simple and carefree. Whether you are a seasoned rambler or a first-time walker who simply likes the idea of spending an indulgent few hours in the…
Hollytrees Museum

Address

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG

Telephone
01206 282940

museums@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718.
Tiptree Tea Room at The Lock, Maldon

Address

The Lock, Basin Road, Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RS

Telephone
+44 (0)1621 854466

thelock@trooms.com

Heybridge Basin, Maldon

Bright and airy, 'The Lock' is THE place to eat on the waterfront at Heybridge Basin. Indoors or out, it offers outstanding Blackwater Estuary views.
Clayhill Vineyard

Address

Lower Burnham Road, Latchingdon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 6HF

Telephone
07771 995460

info@clayhillvineyard.co.uk

Latchingdon, Chelmsford

Relax in the beautiful surrounding of Clayhill Vineyard. Take in the stunning views of the River Crouch & Valley while walking among the vines.
Rye Farm Self Catering

Address

Rye Farm, Layer de la Haye, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0JL

Telephone
01206 734350

rosie@ryefarm.org.uk

Price
Price £420.00 to £560.00 per unit per week

Layer de la Haye, Colchester

Peaceful, rural location on a working farm with views over fields. Comfortably furnished to high standard. 4 miles from Colchester. Close to Abberton Reservoir & Zoo. Convenient for Mersea Island, Layer Marney Tower & Beth Chatto Gardens. Several…

Price
Price £420.00 to £560.00 per unit per week
The Pier at Harwich Hotel

Address

The Quay, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3HH

Telephone
+44 (0)1255 241212

pier@milsomhotels.com

Price
Price £125.00 to £210.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast

Harwich

Situated on the quay in Harwich, this small AA 4 star hotel has 14 bedrooms, many with fine views over The Stour and Orwell estuaries. Enjoy all day dining throughout the year in the Pier Restaurant or small plates, cocktails and gin library in the…

Price
Price £125.00 to £210.00 per room per night for bed & breakfast
The Mistley Thorn

Address

High Street, Mistley, Essex, CO11 1HE

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 392821

info@mistleythorn.co.uk

Mistley

The Mistley Thorn is located in the centre of the historic coastal village of Mistley and is two minutes walk from Mistley station which has direct services to Colchester, Harwich and London Liverpool Street.
Built as a coaching inn circa 1723,…
Roman Church

Address

Southway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3BU

Telephone
01206 282920

vic@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Dating from the 4th century AD the foundations of this church near the Police Station just off the Maldon Road roundabout is probably the earliest known Christian church in Britain.
St John's Abbey Gate

Address

St John's Green, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EZ

Telephone
01206 282920

vic@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

15th Century flint flushwork gatehouse to St John's Abbey (demolished)
Thomas Plume’s Library

Address

Plume Building, Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4PZ

Telephone
01621 854850

info@thomasplumeslibrary.co.uk

Maldon

Founded in 1704 this historic library still houses Thomas Plume’s books and his small collection of paintings.
Naze Tower Cafe

Address

Naze Tower, The Naze, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE

Telephone
01255 852519

mail@nazetower.co.uk

Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze

The tea rooms in the Naze Tower serve food and refreshments (including takeaway) from 10am–5pm. The tea rooms are located on the 1st and 2nd floors and there is also seating on the grass area outside, from where you can look out to sea.
Crouch Valley Rail Ale Trail

Address

The Posh Boys' Brewery and Taproom, Riverside House, 8 Lower Southend Road, Wickford, SS1 8BB

8 Lower Southend Road, Wickford

A 16.5 mile voyage of real ale discovery on the Essex coast. Travel along the scenic Crouch Valley railway line from Wickford (on the Southend to London line) to Southminster, in the heart of the Dengie Peninsula and sample real ale at various…
The Naze Beach, Walton-on-the-Naze

Address

Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8HW

Telephone
01255 686969

seafronts@tendringdc.gov.uk

Walton-on-the-Naze

The Naze is located just north of Walton-on-the-Naze, in north east Essex. The beautiful Naze cliffs and national nature reserve provide the perfect opportunity for walking and bird watching. Gaze across Hamford Water and watch yachts enter and…
Lucca Enoteca

Address

HIgh Street, Lawford, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2BN

Telephone
01206 390044

Manningtree

Wood-fired pizzas and classic pasta dishes in an oak-beamed dining room with bare brick walls.
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.
Beecroft Art Gallery

Address

Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS2 6EX

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 212511

museums@southend.gov.uk

Southend-on-Sea

The Beecroft Art Gallery holds over 2000 works of art ranging from 17th century Dutch Masters to contemporary works and Fashion and Textiles. Temporary exhibitions of local artist's work, alongside dynamic collection based exhibitions provide…
Beeleigh Steam Mill

Address

Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

Telephone
0345 603 7624

essex.countryparks@essex.gov.uk

Maldon

Visit by appointment only
This historical mill is one of the most attractive and fascinating in East Anglia. Once a major mill site, working up until the early 20th century, Beeleigh Steam Mill includes a rare Wentworth beam engine, elephant…
Crag Walk, Walton Walking Trail

Address

9 Sunny Point, Walton on the Naze, Essex, CO14 8LD

tic@tendringdc.gov.uk

Walton on the Naze

This walk visits the new Crag Walk coastal defence system in Walton on the Naze before heading along the seafront in the Essex town.
Christopher Jones House

Address

Kings Head Street, Harwich, Essex, CO12 3EE

Telephone
01255 502872

Harwich

Christopher Jones was the Captain of the Mayflower and once lived in King’s Head Street in Harwich. His house still exists today and after recent restoration is open to visitors on request.
Wivenhoe Trail from Wivenhoe Station to Colchester

Address

Station Road, Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO7 9DJ

Colchester