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

, currently showing 41 to 60.

Sort By: Price - Lowest Price - Highest Grading: Highest A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Oyster Beds and Salt Marshes; Magical Mersea

Address

Cudmore Grove Country Park, Bromans Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8UE

tourism@essex.gov.uk

East Mersea, Colchester

A scenic walk around Mersea Island’s wild and rural coast. Seabirds, historic churches, oyster beds, and great food and drink. This route is uneven in places. The walk around the west side of the island has some paved sections for easy access and…
Roman Wall/Guard Room/Triumphal Arch

Address

Balkerne Passage, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3AA

Telephone
01206 282920

vic@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Colchester's Roman Wall is the oldest and longest surviving town wall in Britain.
Firstsite

Address

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 713 700

info@firstsite.uk

Colchester

Firstsite is an international gallery and creative community space. See the world differently – experience the very best art and culture from around the world that inspires, empowers and opens your mind.
Gosbecks Archaeological Park

Address

Maldon Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 4RN

Telephone
01206 282920

vic@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

Gosbecks Archaeological Park is one of the most significant Iron Age and Roman sites in the country.
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.
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens

Address

Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens, Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7DB

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 822007

customer@bethchatto.co.uk

Elmstead Market, Colchester

Covering 7.5 acres, these beautiful gardens and nursery were created by award-winning plantswoman Beth Chatto.
Colchester Castle Park

Address

High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Telephone
01206 282962

parks@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

The jewel in Colchester’s crown - an award-winning oasis of horticultural splendour boasting a children’s play area, mini-golf and boating lake.
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.
Palace Theatre

Address

430 London Road, Southend, Essex, SS0 9LA

Telephone
03433100030

Southend

A truly unique building, the Palace always offers a vibrant mix of comedy, music, drama and shows.
Southend Central Museum & Planetarium

Address

Central Museum, Victoria Avenue, Southend, Essex, SS2 6EW

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 434449

Southend

Southend Central Museum and Planetarium is home to an exciting selection of internationally significant archaeology, including a permanent display of the incredible Anglo Saxon Prittlewell Princely Burial. Come see the intriguing new exhibition…
Southend Pier Museum

Address

Southend Pier (shore end), Western Esplanade, Southend, Essex, SS1 2EL

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 611214

Southend

Brings to life the fascinating past of the longest pleasure pier in the world. Artefacts, pictorial displays of pier's entertainment, disasters, staff, boats, illuminations and railway. Suitable for all ages.
Prittlewell Priory

Address

Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend, Essex, SS2 6NB

Telephone
01702 342878

Southend

A stunning Grade I listed Priory and the oldest continuously occupied building in Southend. Prittlewell Priory has been a monastery, a private house, and a museum.
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
Lee Wick Farm Cottages

Address

C/O Blackwater Farm, Lee Wick Lane, St. Osyth, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO16 8ES

Telephone
01255 823281

info@leewickfarm.co.uk

Price
Price £350.00 to £1,357.14 per unit per week

St. Osyth, Clacton-on-Sea

The Cart Lodge sleeps up to 12. Stable Cottage sleeps up to 7. Walking and cycling nearby, fishing reservoir, nature reserves and bird watching. Excellent family base for Essex and Suffolk Coastline, countryside and tourist attractions.

Price
Price £350.00 to £1,357.14 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
Waldegraves Holiday Park

Address

Waldegraves Lane, West Mersea, Essex, CO5 8SE

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 382898

holidays@waldegraves.co.uk

Price
Price £20.00 to £45.00 per pitch per night

West Mersea

Located on the beautiful Mersea Island, overlooking the Blackwater Estuary, with its own private beach. Grassland sheltered with trees and four fishing lakes, boating lake, crazy golf, undercover golf driving range, heated swimming pool, pitch and…

Price
Price £20.00 to £45.00 per pitch per night
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.
Museum of Power

Address

Museum of Power - Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QA

Telephone
+44 (0)1621 843183

enquiries@museumofpower.org.uk

Langford, Maldon

Housed in a former water pumping station, the Museum has a fascinating collection of power related exhibits, a tea room and picnic area, a miniature railway all set in attractive riverside grounds.
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)
Naze Tower

Address

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

Telephone
01255 852519

mail@nazetower.co.uk

Walton on the Naze

Sited at the beautiful coastal location of the Naze, this historic 86ft navigational tower houses over eight floors, an art gallery, museum, tea rooms and a roof viewing platform with spectacular panoramic views.