Forget what you think you know about Essex. As staycations go, there can’t be many better counties than one that offers the Roman ruins of Colchester, a Norman Castle, seaside resorts such as Clacton-on-Sea, and more historic homes, gardens, medieval market towns and ancient forests than you could wave a white stiletto at.
And if you’re looking for culture, beyond the famous literary connections, one of our greatest painters, John Constable, thrived in the inspirational and exquisite Dedham Vale. You want things to do on holiday in Essex? We’ve got tonnes.
Where to stay
Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood
You’d never know that London is just a twenty-minute train journey from Essex when you embrace the seclusion of this rural campsite. Beyond the countryside setting, Kelvedon Hatch ripples with history, not least due to the nuclear bunker constructed to house 600 people in the event of war, the story of which you’ll discover at the nearby museum. Within easy reach you’ll also find North Weald Airfield Museum, Epping Ongar Railway and – our favourite – Old MacDonald’s Farm. We feel a song coming on…
Lakeside Caravan Park, Brightlingsea
You’ll find this wonderful campsite next to Brightlingsea Creek at the River Colne’s mouth. It’s less than a mile from Brightlingsea’s harbour, beach and lido, making it a fantastic location to start your exploration of Essex.
Colemans Cottage Fishery, Witham
If fishing is your passion, this is the place to stay. Barely a mile and a half from the town of Witham, this peaceful rural escape boasts five fishing lakes stocked with roach, bream, barbel, rudd and even carp of up to 22lb.
Essex Days out
Best for families: Colchester Zoo
As zoos go, Colchester’s is one of the very best things to do in Essex with the kids. Sprawling across 60 acres of parkland and lakes, it’s home to over 220 species representing many corners of the globe, including lions, tigers, elephants and giraffes. It’s packed with family activities, play parks and there’s even a Madagascar Express to take you to the ever-popular ‘walk-through’ lemur experience.
Best for scenery: Dedham Vale
At Dedham Vale, you’re in Constable country. Judging from John’s paintings, the natural scenery hasn’t changed a great deal since he painted it, which is a delight for visitors hoping to match the locations to the canvases. The location of one of Constable’s best love paintings, The Haywain, is the much-visited Flatford Mill and a must for any fan of his work. The Village of Dedham is a restful place, filled with colourful, beamed houses that line the streets, tearooms and the 15th Century Church, and for those relaxed enough to drift away, there’s the option of doing just that if you take a boat to admire the scenery from the River Stour.
Best for relaxing: Mersea Island
Billed as Essex’s best-kept secret, Mersea Island is a gem that glistens between the estuaries of the Blackwater and Colne rivers, barely nine miles south of Colchester. If you’re craving a day of peaceful reflection, there aren’t many places better than this with its beautiful views across the estuary and the gentle bustle of a traditional fishing village community.
Essex Beaches
Best for families: Clacton
Regarded as the jewel in the crown of Essex’s coast, Clacton-on-Sea’s beach gives a taste of the classic British seaside holiday. The Victorian pier is, of course, the centrepiece, but there’s oodles of seaside amusements, entertainments and cafes to fill your days here.
Best for dogs: Irlam’s beach
Who was Irlam? We have no idea. But his/her beach is a virtually unknown treasure just along the road from Harwich. Complemented by dunes and marshes, it’s a peaceful beach on which to escape the world and drink in the views across the sea to the docks and coast. We’d advise against swimming here, but if you’re into fishing it’s ideal, and the marshland proves a wonderful habitat for all kinds of wildlife.
Best for a peaceful stroll: Walton-on-the-Naze
This Blue Flag Award-winning beach is another peaceful delight of history and culture, not least of all for the WWII pillboxes and gun placements dotted along the beach. Enjoy them while you can, though, because due to rapid erosion, at high tide they are now in the sea, rather than beside the seaside.
See this
Beth Chatto Gardens
You may not have heard of lecturer and author Beth Chatto OBE VMH, but trust us when we say you’ll really want to see the 7.5 acres of award-winning gardens she has created. Once deemed a worthless, desolate wasteland, Beth has utterly transformed it into five separate themed gardens: gravel, scree, water, woodland and reservoir. Take your time and savour them all.
Firstsite Art Gallery
You know the old saying, The best things in life are free? Here’s a perfect example. Open all year round, this contemporary gallery in Colchester is filled with a range of exciting exhibitions, creative events and activities for the whole family. And if that’s not enough, it’s housed in a stunning golden crescent-shaped building that was designed by award-winning Uruguayan architect Rafael Vinoly.
Do this
Epping Ongar Railway
Step back in time and experience genuine steam or diesel train travel, passing through picturesque countryside, beautiful forests and historic villages on one of the vintage carriages. Oh, and it’s not just trains; you can reach the railway by one of the vintage buses that pick up passengers from Epping underground station. Young or old, this is a fab day out for all the family.
Clacton Pier
Named Pier of the Year 2020 and covering 6.5 acres, this is the UK’s largest pleasure pier. Packed with eateries, fairground rides, ten pin bowling, adventure golf, a seaquarium, soft play and live music.
Eat this
Tiptree Jam
The Wilkin family has been making jam since the 1700s, and their famous Little Scarlet strawberry jam is a rare, intensely sweet joy. Just how good is it? Well, if it’s good enough for James Bond – and in From Russia With Love Ian Fleming writes that it’s Bond’s favourite – it’s good enough for you.
Mersea Oysters
These world-famous oysters have been cultivated in Mersea Island’s creeks since the Romans developed a taste for them. There are two varieties available: the Colchester Rock Oysters, which are available all year round and live naturally on the seabed, and the Colchester Native Oysters, which are harvested between September and May from the shallow creeks. What’s our recommendation? That you head to The Company Shed or The West Mersea Oyster Bar in West Mersea and try them both!
Drink this
New Hall Vineyard
It’s both the largest and oldest vineyard in the country having begun life in 1969 and sprawling for 65 acres. Whether your taste is for fine whites, reds, roses or sparkling wines, you’ll find them produced from vine to bottle here either to buy if you’re passing through, or to taste and then buy if you feel like making an afternoon of it.
Grab a cuppa at the Little Book Cafe
The name rather tells you everything, but if you’re in doubt, it’s a 17th century cottage in the traditional village of Halstead, and it serves food and drinks while you browse, borrow or buy books. It’s worth noting that their menus cater for vegan and gluten-free diets, so no-one is excluded.
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