Campsites in Essex
30 bookable campsites in Essex
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1/102
- Wildlife haven with easy access to London
- Close to whitewater rafting, bike and walking paths
- London travel cards available to buy
Electric optional grass tent pitch 6 x From £24.50/€28.19/A$46.41/US$30.25/CA$41.18/CHF27.42/SEK327.07/DKK210.03/NOK335.40/ISK4,211/ARS7,126.79/CLP24,207/PEN110.93/NZ$50.03/ZAR594.67/PLN127.75/R$151.06/CZK667.83/RSD3,305/HUF10,471.75/RUB2,423.17/CN¥213.69 per night Electric optional hardstanding touring pitch 6 x From £24.50/€28.19/A$46.41/US$30.25/CA$41.18/CHF27.42/SEK327.07/DKK210.03/NOK335.40/ISK4,211/ARS7,126.79/CLP24,207/PEN110.93/NZ$50.03/ZAR594.67/PLN127.75/R$151.06/CZK667.83/RSD3,305/HUF10,471.75/RUB2,423.17/CN¥213.69 per night Electric optional hardstanding touring pitch (large) 6 x From £24.50/€28.19/A$46.41/US$30.25/CA$41.18/CHF27.42/SEK327.07/DKK210.03/NOK335.40/ISK4,211/ARS7,126.79/CLP24,207/PEN110.93/NZ$50.03/ZAR594.67/PLN127.75/R$151.06/CZK667.83/RSD3,305/HUF10,471.75/RUB2,423.17/CN¥213.69 per night Cocoon camping pod (double, pet friendly) 2 x From £36/€41.42/A$68.19/US$44.45/CA$60.50/CHF40.28/SEK480.59/DKK308.62/NOK492.83/ISK6,188/ARS10,472.02/CLP35,570/PEN163/NZ$73.51/ZAR873.80/PLN187.71/R$221.97/CZK981.29/RSD4,856/HUF15,387.07/RUB3,560.58/CN¥313.99 per night Cocoon D camping pod (double, no pets) 2 x From £36/€41.42/A$68.19/US$44.45/CA$60.50/CHF40.28/SEK480.59/DKK308.62/NOK492.83/ISK6,188/ARS10,472.02/CLP35,570/PEN163/NZ$73.51/ZAR873.80/PLN187.71/R$221.97/CZK981.29/RSD4,856/HUF15,387.07/RUB3,560.58/CN¥313.99 per night Cocoon T camping pod (no pets, twin) 2 x From £36/€41.42/A$68.19/US$44.45/CA$60.50/CHF40.28/SEK480.59/DKK308.62/NOK492.83/ISK6,188/ARS10,472.02/CLP35,570/PEN163/NZ$73.51/ZAR873.80/PLN187.71/R$221.97/CZK981.29/RSD4,856/HUF15,387.07/RUB3,560.58/CN¥313.99 per night Woodland cabin (2 adults and 2 children, no pets) 4 x From £53/€60.97/A$100.39/US$65.43/CA$89.08/CHF59.31/SEK707.53/DKK454.35/NOK725.55/ISK9,110/ARS15,417.13/CLP52,367/PEN239.98/NZ$108.23/ZAR1,286.42/PLN276.36/R$326.79/CZK1,444.68/RSD7,149/HUF22,653.18/RUB5,241.97/CN¥462.27 per night -
1/218
- Family-friendly site on Mersea Island with beach access
- Plenty of activities in the park and nearby area
- Heated swimming pool, fishing lake and restaurant on site
Electric grass and gravel touring pitch 6 x From £20/€23.01/A$37.88/US$24.69/CA$33.61/CHF22.38/SEK266.99/DKK171.45/NOK273.79/ISK3,438/ARS5,817.79/CLP19,761/PEN90.56/NZ$40.84/ZAR485.44/PLN104.29/R$123.32/CZK545.16/RSD2,698/HUF8,548.37/RUB1,978.10/CN¥174.44 per night Electric grass pitch 6 x From £20/€23.01/A$37.88/US$24.69/CA$33.61/CHF22.38/SEK266.99/DKK171.45/NOK273.79/ISK3,438/ARS5,817.79/CLP19,761/PEN90.56/NZ$40.84/ZAR485.44/PLN104.29/R$123.32/CZK545.16/RSD2,698/HUF8,548.37/RUB1,978.10/CN¥174.44 per night Non-electric grass pitch 6 x From £30/€34.51/A$56.82/US$37.04/CA$50.42/CHF33.57/SEK400.49/DKK257.18/NOK410.69/ISK5,156/ARS8,726.68/CLP29,642/PEN135.84/NZ$61.26/ZAR728.16/PLN156.43/R$184.98/CZK817.75/RSD4,047/HUF12,822.56/RUB2,967.15/CN¥261.66 per night -
1/17
- Well-maintained site in Brightlingsea, on the Essex Sunshine Coast
- Howlands Marsh 25 minutes’ drive; Colchester Castle half an hour
- Electric and water hookups and launderette; well-behaved dogs welcome
Electric gravel touring pitch 5 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night -
1/64
- Well-maintained park within walking distance of ancient Colchester
- Easy access to London, East Anglia, Suffolk and Essex
- Three facility blocks: never queue for the toilet or shower
Electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 6 x From £28/€32.21/A$53.04/US$34.57/CA$47.06/CHF31.33/SEK373.79/DKK240.04/NOK383.31/ISK4,813/ARS8,144.90/CLP27,665/PEN126.78/NZ$57.18/ZAR679.62/PLN146/R$172.64/CZK763.23/RSD3,777/HUF11,967.72/RUB2,769.34/CN¥244.22 per night Electric grass touring pitch 6 x From £28/€32.21/A$53.04/US$34.57/CA$47.06/CHF31.33/SEK373.79/DKK240.04/NOK383.31/ISK4,813/ARS8,144.90/CLP27,665/PEN126.78/NZ$57.18/ZAR679.62/PLN146/R$172.64/CZK763.23/RSD3,777/HUF11,967.72/RUB2,769.34/CN¥244.22 per night Electric hardstanding touring pitch 6 x From £28/€32.21/A$53.04/US$34.57/CA$47.06/CHF31.33/SEK373.79/DKK240.04/NOK383.31/ISK4,813/ARS8,144.90/CLP27,665/PEN126.78/NZ$57.18/ZAR679.62/PLN146/R$172.64/CZK763.23/RSD3,777/HUF11,967.72/RUB2,769.34/CN¥244.22 per night -
1/61
- Peaceful adults-only site two miles from the River Blackwater
- Dengie National Nature Reserve 15 minutes’ drive; Maldon 20 minutes
- Attached to a traditional country pub that serves food and drinks
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 4 x From £15/€17.26/A$28.41/US$18.52/CA$25.21/CHF16.78/SEK200.24/DKK128.59/NOK205.34/ISK2,578/ARS4,363.34/CLP14,821/PEN67.92/NZ$30.63/ZAR364.08/PLN78.21/R$92.49/CZK408.87/RSD2,023/HUF6,411.28/RUB1,483.58/CN¥130.83 per night Electric grass touring pitch 4 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Electric hardstanding touring pitch 4 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night -
1/31
- Family-friendly park right next to the beach in West Mersea
- A 25-minute drive to Colchester; 45 minutes to Clacton-on-Sea
- Café, shop, play area and clubhouse with entertainment on site
Electric hardstanding touring caravan pitch 10 x From £10/€11.50/A$18.94/US$12.35/CA$16.81/CHF11.19/SEK133.50/DKK85.73/NOK136.90/ISK1,719/ARS2,908.89/CLP9,880/PEN45.28/NZ$20.42/ZAR242.72/PLN52.14/R$61.66/CZK272.58/RSD1,349/HUF4,274.19/RUB989.05/CN¥87.22 per night -
1/72
- Dog-friendly campsite in the grounds of a popular farm park
- Between Billericay and Basildon; easily accessible by public transport
- Restaurant, tea rooms, farm shop and kids' attractions
Non-electric grass tent, trailer tent or campervan pitch (maximum 4 adults) 6 x From £16.50/€18.98/A$31.25/US$20.37/CA$27.73/CHF18.46/SEK220.27/DKK141.45/NOK225.88/ISK2,836/ARS4,799.67/CLP16,303/PEN74.71/NZ$33.69/ZAR400.49/PLN86.04/R$101.74/CZK449.76/RSD2,226/HUF7,052.41/RUB1,631.93/CN¥143.91 per night Electric grass tent, trailer tent or campervan pitch (maximum 4 adults) 6 x From £22.50/€25.89/A$42.62/US$27.78/CA$37.82/CHF25.18/SEK300.37/DKK192.89/NOK308.02/ISK3,867/ARS6,545.01/CLP22,231/PEN101.88/NZ$45.95/ZAR546.12/PLN117.32/R$138.73/CZK613.31/RSD3,035/HUF9,616.92/RUB2,225.36/CN¥196.25 per night Electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch (maximum 4 adults) 6 x From £22.50/€25.89/A$42.62/US$27.78/CA$37.82/CHF25.18/SEK300.37/DKK192.89/NOK308.02/ISK3,867/ARS6,545.01/CLP22,231/PEN101.88/NZ$45.95/ZAR546.12/PLN117.32/R$138.73/CZK613.31/RSD3,035/HUF9,616.92/RUB2,225.36/CN¥196.25 per night -
1/26
- Family-friendly site 10 minutes’ walk from a sandy beach
- Within a half-hour drive of Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze
- Miniature golf, indoor play, bar and clubhouse entertainment
Camping pod 4 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night -
1/15
- Spacious 50-acre campsite bordered by Epping Forest
- Three golf courses within 10 minutes' drive; Lee Valley 15 minutes
- Half an hour's walk from the London Underground (Central Line)
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 5 x From £29/€33.36/A$54.93/US$35.80/CA$48.74/CHF32.45/SEK387.14/DKK248.61/NOK397/ISK4,985/ARS8,435.79/CLP28,653/PEN131.31/NZ$59.22/ZAR703.89/PLN151.21/R$178.81/CZK790.49/RSD3,912/HUF12,395.14/RUB2,868.25/CN¥252.94 per night Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (large) unlimited x From £29/€33.36/A$54.93/US$35.80/CA$48.74/CHF32.45/SEK387.14/DKK248.61/NOK397/ISK4,985/ARS8,435.79/CLP28,653/PEN131.31/NZ$59.22/ZAR703.89/PLN151.21/R$178.81/CZK790.49/RSD3,912/HUF12,395.14/RUB2,868.25/CN¥252.94 per night Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch (XL) 14 x From £29/€33.36/A$54.93/US$35.80/CA$48.74/CHF32.45/SEK387.14/DKK248.61/NOK397/ISK4,985/ARS8,435.79/CLP28,653/PEN131.31/NZ$59.22/ZAR703.89/PLN151.21/R$178.81/CZK790.49/RSD3,912/HUF12,395.14/RUB2,868.25/CN¥252.94 per night Non-electric grass tent pitch (medium) 14 x From £29/€33.36/A$54.93/US$35.80/CA$48.74/CHF32.45/SEK387.14/DKK248.61/NOK397/ISK4,985/ARS8,435.79/CLP28,653/PEN131.31/NZ$59.22/ZAR703.89/PLN151.21/R$178.81/CZK790.49/RSD3,912/HUF12,395.14/RUB2,868.25/CN¥252.94 per night Non-electric grass tent pitch (small) 5 x From £29/€33.36/A$54.93/US$35.80/CA$48.74/CHF32.45/SEK387.14/DKK248.61/NOK397/ISK4,985/ARS8,435.79/CLP28,653/PEN131.31/NZ$59.22/ZAR703.89/PLN151.21/R$178.81/CZK790.49/RSD3,912/HUF12,395.14/RUB2,868.25/CN¥252.94 per night -
1/73
- Family-run eco-friendly site on the banks of the Thames
- A mile from East Tilbury village; 40 minutes' drive to Southend-on-Sea
- Next to a nature park and on the Thames Estuary Path
Non-electric grass and gravel touring pitch 6 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 6 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Bell tent 4 x From £60/€69.03/A$113.65/US$74.08/CA$100.84/CHF67.14/SEK800.98/DKK514.36/NOK821.38/ISK10,313/ARS17,453.36/CLP59,283/PEN271.67/NZ$122.52/ZAR1,456.33/PLN312.86/R$369.95/CZK1,635.49/RSD8,094/HUF25,645.11/RUB5,934.30/CN¥523.32 per night -
1/13
- Peaceful, adults-only gated touring park in Bradfield village, Essex
- Colchester Castle 25 minutes’ drive; Wrabness Foreshore 10 minutes
- Dog-friendly pitches with electric hook-ups, showers and beer garden
Electric grass touring pitch 8 x From £35/€40.27/A$66.29/US$43.21/CA$58.82/CHF39.16/SEK467.24/DKK300.04/NOK479.14/ISK6,016/ARS10,181.13/CLP34,582/PEN158.48/NZ$71.47/ZAR849.52/PLN182.50/R$215.80/CZK954.04/RSD4,721/HUF14,959.65/RUB3,461.68/CN¥305.27 per night Electric gravel touring pitch 8 x From £35/€40.27/A$66.29/US$43.21/CA$58.82/CHF39.16/SEK467.24/DKK300.04/NOK479.14/ISK6,016/ARS10,181.13/CLP34,582/PEN158.48/NZ$71.47/ZAR849.52/PLN182.50/R$215.80/CZK954.04/RSD4,721/HUF14,959.65/RUB3,461.68/CN¥305.27 per night -
1/103
- Family-run Essex site on the banks of a 68-acre lake
- Playground and picnic areas on site, plus waterside café
- Five minutes' drive from the village and pubs of Halstead
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 8 x From £32/€36.81/A$60.61/US$39.51/CA$53.78/CHF35.81/SEK427.19/DKK274.33/NOK438.07/ISK5,500/ARS9,308.46/CLP31,618/PEN144.89/NZ$65.34/ZAR776.71/PLN166.86/R$197.31/CZK872.26/RSD4,317/HUF13,677.39/RUB3,164.96/CN¥279.11 per night -
1/72
- Woodland site on a farm and petting zoo near Bishop’s Stortford
- A 30-minute drive to IWM Duxford, and 40 minutes to Colchester Zoo
- Family camping with a playground and animal encounters on site
Non-electric grass and earth tent or trailer tent pitch 6 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Non-electric grass and earth touring pitch 6 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night -
1/36
- Rural setting on a farm with fabulous Essex and Cambridgeshire views
- A 10-minutes drive to the IWM Duxford, and 30 minutes to Cambridge
- Dog-friendly pitches; pub in 15 minutes’ walk, shops 10 minutes’ drive
Non-electric grass tent or trailer tent pitch 4 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Non-electric grass touring pitch 4 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night -
1/69
- Simple and secluded site on a working farm close to the A12
- A 20-minute drive from Colchester or Mersea Island
- Four fishing lakes throughout the farm; firewood and charcoal for sale
Non-electric forest floor tent pitch (wild) 6 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Non-electric grass tent pitch 6 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Camping pod 2 x From £75/€86.28/A$142.06/US$92.60/CA$126.05/CHF83.92/SEK1,001.22/DKK642.95/NOK1,026.72/ISK12,891/ARS21,816.70/CLP74,104/PEN339.59/NZ$153.15/ZAR1,820.41/PLN391.07/R$462.44/CZK2,044.36/RSD10,117/HUF32,056.39/RUB7,417.88/CN¥654.16 per night -
1/17
- Cosy Essex glamping accommodation on an arable farm near Mundon
- A 10-minute drive to Maldon; 40 minutes to West Mersea beach
- Adults-only pods with private decking; vineyard and wildlife on site
Marsh Harrier camping pod 2 x From £100/€115.05/A$189.41/US$123.46/CA$168.07/CHF111.90/SEK1,334.96/DKK857.27/NOK1,368.97/ISK17,188/ARS29,088.93/CLP98,805/PEN452.79/NZ$204.20/ZAR2,427.21/PLN521.43/R$616.58/CZK2,725.82/RSD13,489/HUF42,741.85/RUB9,890.50/CN¥872.21 per night Oyster Catcher camping pod 2 x From £100/€115.05/A$189.41/US$123.46/CA$168.07/CHF111.90/SEK1,334.96/DKK857.27/NOK1,368.97/ISK17,188/ARS29,088.93/CLP98,805/PEN452.79/NZ$204.20/ZAR2,427.21/PLN521.43/R$616.58/CZK2,725.82/RSD13,489/HUF42,741.85/RUB9,890.50/CN¥872.21 per night -
1/35
- Adults-only lakeside glamping location at the back of a working farm
- A 35-minute drive to Cambridge; 25 minutes to the IWM Duxford museum
- Well-stocked fishing lake and firepits; country pub a short walk away
Shepherd's hut 2 x From £220/€253.10/A$416.71/US$271.61/CA$369.75/CHF246.18/SEK2,936.91/DKK1,885.99/NOK3,011.72/ISK37,814/ARS63,995.65/CLP217,371/PEN996.14/NZ$449.24/ZAR5,339.86/PLN1,147.14/R$1,356.48/CZK5,996.80/RSD29,676/HUF94,032.07/RUB21,759.11/CN¥1,918.86 per 2 nights -
1/44
- Secluded luxury yurt in rural Essex, near Beaumont-cum-Moze
- A 15-minute drive from Frinton-on-Sea; 25 minutes from Colchester
- Kingsize bed, plus decking with two outdoor baths and gas barbecue
Yurt 2 x From £100/€115.05/A$189.41/US$123.46/CA$168.07/CHF111.90/SEK1,334.96/DKK857.27/NOK1,368.97/ISK17,188/ARS29,088.93/CLP98,805/PEN452.79/NZ$204.20/ZAR2,427.21/PLN521.43/R$616.58/CZK2,725.82/RSD13,489/HUF42,741.85/RUB9,890.50/CN¥872.21 per night -
1/86
- Peaceful rural site a mile and a half from the village of Witham
- Five fishing lakes with 100+ pegs and carp up to 22lb
- Tackle shop and licensed bar-restaurant on site
Electric hardstanding and grass touring pitch (adults only) 2 x From £25/€28.76/A$47.35/US$30.86/CA$42.02/CHF27.98/SEK333.74/DKK214.32/NOK342.24/ISK4,297/ARS7,272.23/CLP24,701/PEN113.20/NZ$51.05/ZAR606.80/PLN130.36/R$154.15/CZK681.45/RSD3,372/HUF10,685.46/RUB2,472.63/CN¥218.05 per night Kingfisher camping pod 2 x From £120/€138.06/A$227.29/US$148.15/CA$201.68/CHF134.28/SEK1,601.95/DKK1,028.72/NOK1,642.76/ISK20,626/ARS34,906.72/CLP118,566/PEN543.35/NZ$245.04/ZAR2,912.65/PLN625.71/R$739.90/CZK3,270.98/RSD16,187/HUF51,290.22/RUB11,868.60/CN¥1,046.65 per night Owl camping pod 2 x From £120/€138.06/A$227.29/US$148.15/CA$201.68/CHF134.28/SEK1,601.95/DKK1,028.72/NOK1,642.76/ISK20,626/ARS34,906.72/CLP118,566/PEN543.35/NZ$245.04/ZAR2,912.65/PLN625.71/R$739.90/CZK3,270.98/RSD16,187/HUF51,290.22/RUB11,868.60/CN¥1,046.65 per night -
1/64
- Spacious grass pitches in the green Essex countryside
- A 15-minute drive to Chelmsford; 40 minutes to Audley End
- Tractor rides on site; firepits provided for campfires
Non-electric grass tent pitch 6 x From £24/€27.61/A$45.46/US$29.63/CA$40.34/CHF26.86/SEK320.39/DKK205.74/NOK328.55/ISK4,125/ARS6,981.34/CLP23,713/PEN108.67/NZ$49.01/ZAR582.53/PLN125.14/R$147.98/CZK654.20/RSD3,237/HUF10,258.04/RUB2,373.72/CN¥209.33 per night
Why camp in Essex?
The Essex coast
Essex is fringed by 350 miles of varied coastline, with sandy beaches, shingle banks and marshy inlets to explore. Most folk heading here will stick to the county’s big seaside resorts like Southend-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea, but there’s also a great deal of stunning seascapes that are too often overlooked.
After a spell of classic seaside amusements in one of the resort towns, head out to Essex’s well-preserved rural coast to explore spots like Blackwater Estuary near Maldon or Hamford Water, just to the north of Walton-on-the-Naze.
Top towns
Essex is home to Colchester, England’s oldest town and arguably one of its best. This former Roman capital has over 2,000 years of heritage to scout out, plus top shopping opportunities and family-friendly attractions. Another big plus? All of it in a strategic location that’s both close to the coast and under 90 minutes from London.
You might also like to base yourself around the quiet countryside near Chelmsford, Essex’s only city (and with an impressive cathedral to prove it).
And for something smaller in scale? The ancient market town of Saffron Walden and its peaceful agricultural landscape could go down well, while for something on the coast you might like to try Bradfield or West Mersea.
Dedham Vale
Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is in the north of the county, straddling the border with Suffolk. Watermills, the stunning river Stour and pretty pastoral scenes are scattered all around, making this spot one of the best for walks, cycles or boat trips in the Essex countryside.
Easy access
With speedy motorways, abundant A roads and excellent rail connections spidering out to London, South East England and East Anglia, Essex is certainly one of the easier English counties to access for outdoor breaks.
International travel to and from Essex is also a cinch, with a wide range of regular flights touching down at Stansted Airport and ferries that shuttle back and forth between Harwich and the Netherlands.
The best Essex attractions
Family-friendly
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Colchester Zoo
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Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea’s original theme park
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Clacton-on-Sea Pier (the longest in the world)
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Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Brentwood
Historic days out
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Hylands House, a stately home set in 500 acres of parkland just outside Chelmsford
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Mountfitchet Castle, a replica Norman ringwork and bailey fortification between Harlow and Braintree
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Paycocke's House and Garden, a popular National Trust property to the east of Braintree
Gardens and green spaces
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RHS Hyde Hall, Chelmsford
Unexplored Essex
Essex islands
Essex has a total of 35 islands, more than any other English county. The Essex coast has a wide variety of offshore spots, from remote Northey and Osea in the Blackwater Estuary to more easily accessible Mersea, England’s most easterly inhabited isle.
For rib safaris, boat hire and paddling experiences around all that tidal terrain, book with one of the several top-rated companies based in West Mersea or Maldon. For seal-spotting excursions, meanwhile, head straight to Harwich Harbour.
Epping Forest
A wild green landscape that inspired William Morris’ rural fantasies, yet right on the border with London, Epping Forest is a gorgeous wildlife haven with lots of leisure opportunities.
Get back to nature and walk the start of the Essex Way, book tickets for the steam train between Epping and Ongar or get set to ride the rapids at the Lee Valley White Water Centre.
The area makes a brilliant backdrop for a wide range of breaks, especially for guests planning car-free camping trips in Essex – simply catch local transport to the edge of Epping Forest and carry on to your campsite by bike or on foot.
Hidden gem museums
As well as its big-name days out, Essex is full of smaller, kookier and more niche attractions – something perhaps linked to the county’s famous entrepreneurial spirit. If you’re looking for something a little under the radar, the small Essex museums listed below are an excellent way to get started:
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Essex Police Museum, Chelmsford
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Cressing Temple Barns, an ancient Knights Templar site near Braintree
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Royal Gunpowder Mills, a 300-year-old gunpowder factory on the river Lea near Walton Abbey
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Essex Fire Museum, Thurrock
Tasting time
It’s not hard to please the palate in Essex – the county’s array country pubs serve up freshest food, locally-brewed beers and other tasty treats, while down at the coast you can sample oysters – or, if you’re feeling adventurous, jellied eels, a local speciality with roots in London’s East End.
Visitors with more modern tastes can explore Essex’s burgeoning English wine scene – there are several top-rated vineyards that offer tours and tasting events in and around the village of Althorne on the peaceful Dengie Peninsula.
Here’s how
So what’s it to be – a posh glamping pod in the Essex countryside or a back to basics camping pitch close to the beach? Sort yourself something just right using our tick-box filters to browse by themes, accommodation categories and facilities. Popular options include:
Still looking for your ideal getaway? Check out neighbouring regions like Suffolk or Norfolk, or head south to Kent or East Sussex.
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- East Tilbury161
- Canvey Island140
- Benfleet133
- Southend-on-Sea133
- Rayleigh123
- Rochford123
- Hockley120
- Hullbridge119
- Battlesbridge118
- Althorne117
- Burnham On Crouch116
- Wickford116
- Southminster115
- St Lawrence Bay107
- Heybridge102
- Maldon102
- West Hanningfield100
- Billericay99
- West Mersea98
- Little Clacton97
- Romford97
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- St Osyth96
- Helions Bumpstead95
- West Bergholt95
- Dedham93
- Dedham Vale93
- Gosfield93
- Brentwood92
- Finchingfield92
- Halstead92
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- Beaumont-cum-Moze90
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- Epping74
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