8 Of The Best Places To Visit In Essex This Summer
There is no shortage of best places to visit in Essex this summer – nor any summer. For a county that can boast the United Kingdom’s oldest recorded town, multiple sandy and pebble beaches, pastoral countryside and Tudor villages, it’s a wonder that Essex is often overlooked as the great days-out destination it is.
So here is a shortlist of Essex’s 8 best places to visit, one that mixes well with the best Essex walks. From sites of Viking siege to exotic wildlife to coastal strolls, our lists should provide some excellent options for a day out in this pleasant part of England.
Colchester/Colchester Castle
‘Britain’s First City’, Colchester was the capital of 1st-century Roman Britain and is the UK’s oldest town on record. This historic market town will give you a fascinating glimpse into 2000 years of Essex history.
And there’s nowhere better to start delving into that history than Colchester Castle. From Iron Age artefacts to Celtic coin hoards to Roman mosaics; from Norman paintings to Civil War armoury, Colchester Castle is undoubtedly one of the country’s richest collections and is in itself worthy of a day trip.
Today, Colchester also has a great selection of pubs, restaurants and shops, so it’s a good place to spend a few hours exploring its narrow streets. For the complete experience, arrange organised guided tours via the visitor information centre.
Choose a campsite near Colchester
Colchester Zoo
If your interest is more in the natural world than the historical, pay a visit to Colchester Zoo, a mere 10-minute drive from town. The excellent Colchester Zoo isn’t just one of the best in the UK, it’s a real world-class destination. For almost 60 years, this park has been home to many endangered and rare species of big cats, primates, birds, reptiles and invertebrates (currently numbering around 200).
Those animals live among 60 acres of parkland that’s been landscaped with the utmost concern and respect for the animals’ natural habitat – be it for the extremely rare White Rhino or the elusive Snow Leopard of Siberia’s far east.
If you’ve got particularly keen animal fans, boost your visit by booking one of the special ‘experiences’ Colchester Zoo offers. Whether doing close-encounter feeding sessions with elephants, being a keeper for a day or partaking in the kids’ zoo academy, there are plenty of ways to get closer to a more exotic world.
Dedham
It remains the stuff of great paintings, this rural gem. Amidst the water meadows of the River Stour just by the Suffolk border, Dedham is an Essex that is worlds away from popular perception. In fact, the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley are together classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. John Constable was clearly on to something when he picked the area for many of his paintings.
The village itself is incredibly handsome, lined with colourful, wooden-beamed houses from way back in the 15th century. You can also visit the Sir Alfred Munnings Art Gallery before checking in for a meal and pint at the renowned Sun Inn. Or, if wine tasting is more your thing, the Dedham Vale Vineyard is very much worth a visit.
Elsewhere, hire a boat for an afternoon of drifting down the Stour... there must be few better ways to spend sunny days.
Mersea Island
Sunny days may just as easily spur you to the Essex coast, in which case Mersea Island is an ideal destination. While it’s not as remote as the ‘island’ part may suggest, with Mersea Island connected to the mainland by a causeway and a short drive, it is advisable to check tide times: that ‘island’ part of the name remains an accurate description at certain points in the day!
Paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing are all readily available to supplement an afternoon lazing on Mersea’s golden sand. Alternatively, if you’re planning a lengthy sojourn at the seaside, beach huts can be hired by the day or for longer periods.
Find a campsite at Mersea Island
Maldon
This thousand-year-old coastal town was first mentioned in an Anglo-Saxon epic poem recounting the Viking siege on the Blackwater in 991, making it one of the oldest recorded towns in Essex. Once a thriving port and mooring hub for Thames barges, it has since become one of the county’s more popular seaside destinations, whose leisure hub is undoubtedly its attractively landscaped promenade park (or ‘prom’).
Maldon’s promenade park has a multitude of facilities including a children’s waterpark, tennis courts, and food stalls among its spacious, well-kept grass areas. But be sure to wander up the high street for afternoon tea or a local pint at one of the town’s excellent pubs and taprooms. Culinary enthusiasts will also want to stock up on a few cartons of Maldon’s world-famous sea salt.
Southend-on-Sea
Full days of family fun pass quickly by in Southend – there’s just so much to do. Walk the 1.3 miles out into the Thames Estuary on the world’s longest pleasure pier, or stop off for amusements at the Adventure Island theme park.
You can also meet local and exotic marine life at Sealife Adventure aquarium (shark!), knock about at its many arcades and have lunch at one of its many fine seaside fish and chip shops. Or, of course, there’s the option just to laze the day away on a stretch of golden sandy beach…
Saffron Walden
If it’s the stately home side of English Heritage you fancy, then Saffron Walden will duly oblige: Audley End, just on the edge of town, is one of England’s most splendid mansion houses. The spacious grounds, stables, kitchens, dairy rooms and grand interiors give a detailed portrayal of the lives of the Victorian classes.
And there’s plenty to see while you’re here. Stroll its elegantly landscaped gardens and wander the serene, surrounding acres of country park to discover the Elysian Garden, the Temple of Concorde and a memorial to the Polish resistance soldiers of World War II. Of course, sustenance for all this scenic and historic exploration is readily available at Servant’s Hall Tea Rooms, which serves lunch and all forms of liquid refreshment.
Great camping options near Saffron Walden
Coggeshall
With almost 200 listed buildings at its centre, this 14th-century timber-framed village near Braintree is an absolute must for those who delight in ‘olde worlde’ settings. Having grown wealthy from the wool, textile and silk industries of the 16th century, Coggeshall has also remained wonderfully preserved and makes a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon exploring its ancient laneways and streets.
Visit Payecock’s House and Grange Barn for a better flavour of the era; for more flavour, enjoy locally brewed ales at its many excellent pubs or visit nearby West Street Vineyards for local wine tasting.
Feeling peckish after all that sightseeing? Time for the best fish & chips in Essex, then, and indeed for the best parks in Essex to sit and enjoy them in. And if you’re interested in staying around longer, Essex has great camping facilities and holiday parks for you to consider.