City to Country Retreat

If you’ve brought the kids with you, it shouldn't be tricky to entertain them – perhaps you’d like to plan outings to Gosfield Lake (15 minutes’ drive) for inflatable rides, to Boydells Dairy Farm (15 minutes) for cow milking and chicken feeding or Colne Valley Railway (five minutes) for a heritage train ride. A little further afield at an hour's drive (but worth the trip) are Colchester Zoo and Jimmy’s Farm. Sticking to the local area, you may want to visit the Norman fortress at Hedingham Castle (10 minutes), see what you can hook at Hilton Valley Carp Fishery (two minutes) or visit the pretty town of Lavenham. If it’s a grownup trip, you may like to spend some time at the English Spirit Distillery or Toppesfield Vineyard, both of which are within five minutes' drive.