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Itinerary Ideas

Itineraries to inspire! Whether it be for a day out or short break we have lots to offer in Essex. Packed with ideas for things to do, our suggested itineraries include places to stay and eat along the way.

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Alternatively, create your own itinerary with our itinerary builder. Simply browse our site and when you see somewhere you wish to visit, stay or eat click ‘Add to Planner’. Once you have finished browsing, click on ‘My Planner’ to view your bespoke itinerary. Select the date you are planning to visit, the number of days you are staying, where you are travelling from and your mode of transport, and let us do the rest! Click ‘Create Itinerary’ and you can save, share, download and/or print your personalised itinerary. Now you are ready to go!

If you like elements of our suggested itineraries but wish to adapt these, add them to your planner and add, switch or remove places to suit you!


A Day in Saffron Walden Morning - Park in Swan Street car park and explore the pretty market town of Saffron Walden on foot, home to the largest turf maze in the world…
Classic Cars and Spas Day 1 Hire a vintage car and feel the wind in your hair as you motor through leafy country lanes and wide open, coastal roads in your MG Midget…
Discover the Dengie with friends Impress your friends with your culinary skills before making a splash at paddleboarding in Maldon. Have the hotel all to yourselves…
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,…
Essex Delights for Free! Morning - Start your day at Cressing Temple, home of the massive and beautiful timber barns built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century…
Exquisite Vineyards, Gardens and Sailing the Blackwater Day 1 Stay at Crouch Ridge Vineyard where the old Dairy has been lovingly restored into self-catering cottages with stunning views…
Family Adventures on the Water Check in mid-afternoon to your glamping pod at Lee Wick Farm, St Osyth and head down to nearby Jaywick beach for a spot of frisbee and a paddle…
Family Fun at The Farm, Forest, Fort & More Visit Essex residents of the more furry kind before exploring the forest in Upminster. Discover the secrets of a bunker, climb aboard a fire engine…
Family Fun in Chelmsford Day 1 Morning Start your day off at Hylands Estate and enjoy some fresh air and a ramble around the vast parkland and gardens, stopping…
Gardens & Gourmet- 3 days of eating and exploring Essex Three days of eating and exploring in Essex For gourmet food and gorgeous gardens, follow this three-day itinerary of wonderful Essex.…
Geographical Wonders & Maritime History Breathe in the fresh sea air as you explore the beauty of Walton-on-the-Naze from the ground and from the top of the tower. Discover the heritage of…
Go Wild in Essex with friends Adventure with friends, from the depths of an escape room to the dizzying heights of a rope park! This trip to Brentwood, Chigwell and Lee Valley…
Gourmet Garden Trail - Historic Castles & Vineyards From historic castles to beautiful vineyards, this itinerary introduces you to some of the rich andfascinating heritage around the county of Essex.…
Gourmet Garden Trail -Tudor merchant houses to breweries. Discover and explore historic castles, rural vineyards and transformed gardens in the exciting county of Essex. This itinerary introduces you to some…
Idyllic Villages and a Grand Mansion Visit the pretty villages and historic towns of Saffron Walden, Finchingfield and Thaxted - from thatched cottages to a stately home, discover our…
Island Escape Spend a couple of days enjoying Island life at Waldegraves Holiday Park, on Mersea Island. Choose a luxury static holiday home, camping or book a…
Make some Mersea Memories Morning - Approached by a causeway from the mainland, cut off at high tide, Mersea is a place you have to plan to get to. Most…
Museum Mosey on a rainy day Morning - Start your rainy day in Britian's first recorded town, Colchester, where the stunning Norman keep of Colchester Castle is tucked…
Roman Relics & Island Flavours Calling all foodies... sample fresh Mersea oysters and indulge in a scrumptious Tiptree cream tea. From Britain's First City,…
Seaside Delights in two days Travel by train to the Essex Coast for a chilled short break in Southend-on-Sea. In this itinerary, we have combined the traditional…
Seaside Delights only a Train ride away Morning - Arrive by train to Leigh-on-Sea and breathe in the sea air as you wander along the coast. Pick up a memento of your trip in one…
Take it Easy by Car Take it Easy by Car - Harwich, Wrabness, Mistley, Manningtree & Dedham Day 1 Drop your bags at The Thorn at Mistley,…
Take it Easy by Public Transport Day 1 - Colchester Drop your bags at the Greyfriars Hotel for check in later, taking time to enjoy morning coffee on the outside terrace before…
Walking in Essex There’s no better way to explore our fair county than by pulling on some sturdy shoes and setting off, whether you choose a gentle stroll…
Wild Camping, In Style! Day 1 Go off-grid for a couple of days in a Landrover Defender hired from LandyCampers, fully equipped with everything you need for a…
Wild Wallasea, Maldon and the Dengie Peninsula Day 1 Spend the morning on Wallasea Island, a wild, expansive landscape of marshland, lagoons and open sea where you can walk the seawalls…