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Dizzying Heights and Steam Fun for Families

Dizzying Heights and Steam Fun for Families

Travel back in time by steam to a land of castles at Hedingham and the Knights Templar barns at Cressing. Switch to outlet shopping in Braintree, leisure parks and high ropes.

Day 1


Morning - Start your journey at Hedingham Castle - a 900-year-old keep which stands in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and woodland, and is still owned by descendants of the original owners, the De Veres.

Afternoon - Just a few mintues down the road you'll find the Colne Valley Railway - travel on an old diesel/steam train along the mile-long heritage line. Complete with a working signal box, travelling Post Office and Interpretation Centre, and special events throughout the year including meeting Thomas the Tank Engine, the children will love this place! Cafe on site.

Day 2


Morning - Head to Great Notley Country Park, a fantastic space for cycling or just enjoying the fresh air. It is home to Sky Ropes and Essex's longest play trail at 1.2km, which includes a giant see-saw, sand pits, tyre swings and more, making it a great place for all ages to explore.

Afternoon - Make your way over to Cressing Temple where you'll find the Tiptree Tea Room, The Barns where you can tuck into some lunch. The historic Templar barns (some of the oldest in Europe) and gardens are also free to explore.

Braintree Village is a short journey away and the place for a spot of outlet shopping. Whilst the Leisure Park offers a cinema, bowling and a swimming pool, plus many restaurants.


Accomodation


Six Apples is a wonderful place for children to run around and have fun. Beautiful self-catering accommodation, it sleeps up to 8 and has a heated swimming pool (May to September), BBQ and summer house.

*Please check opening times of all venues before visiting as they are subject to change. Please quote Visit Essex when booking any of these venues.

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Product Information

  1. Hedingham Castle

    HALSTEAD

    Visit Hedingham Castle for a great family day out and a memorable experience. Bring a picnic and explore the beautiful gardens and lakes then take time to explore the 110ft tall Norman Keep.

  2. Colne Valley Railway

    Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham

    One mile length of line with relocated buildings, large collection of heritage rolling stock, steam and diesel locomotives and miniature and model railways. Special events including Thomas and Santa specials.

  3. Great Notley Country Park

    Great Notley Country Park covers some 100 acres of open space, which is managed for the benefit of wildlife and the community. It's home to the longest Kid's Play Trail in Essex.

  4. Sky Ropes

    Braintree

    Sky Ropes Adventure for adults and children from one meter tall. Perfect for the whole family!

  5. Tiptree Tea Room at The Barns at Cressing Temple

    Witham

    ‘The Barns’ at Cressing Temple is a bright and vibrant tea room, offering a wide range of homemade meals with fresh and local ingredients.

  6. Cressing Temple Barns

    Cressing

    Historically the most important - and dimensionally the largest - of the Knights Templar's Essex landholdings, Cressing Temple is a fascinating medieval moated farmstead boasting the oldest recorded timber-framed barn in the world.

Itinerary Distances

FromToDistance * (metric)
Hedingham Castle (51.99242,0.60043)Colne Valley Railway (51.99594,0.5817)1.21
Colne Valley Railway (51.99594,0.5817)Great Notley Country Park (51.86352,0.51745)13.85
Great Notley Country Park (51.86352,0.51745)Sky Ropes (51.86414,0.51584)0.12
Sky Ropes (51.86414,0.51584)Tiptree Tea Room at The Barns at Cressing Temple (51.83695,0.61062)6.47
Tiptree Tea Room at The Barns at Cressing Temple (51.83695,0.61062)Cressing Temple Barns (51.83746,0.61163)0.08
Total Distance *21.72 miles
Estimated Journey Time42 minutes

* Approximate distance by road

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