Places of Interest - Essex

Flatford: Bridge Cottage

Flatford: Bridge Cottage Flatford East Bergholt CO7 6UL Telephone: 01206 298260	Situated just upstream from Flatford Mill, the cottage houses an exhibition on John Constable, several of whose paintings famously depict this property. There is a tea-garden, shop, information centre and boat hire, and access is possible on foot to Trust land in the beautiful Dedham Vale. Flatford Mill, Valley Farm and Willy Lott’s House are leased to the Field Studies Council which runs arts-based courses for all age groups. For information on courses tel. 01206 298283. There is no general public access to these buildings, but the Field Studies Council will arrange tours for groups. (Photo© NTPL / John Miller) www.nationaltrust.org.uk



Ramada Colchester	.. located adjacent to the A120 (Colchester by-pass). ..	.. a fine base for exploring Constable Country



Dedham Art & Craft Centre High Street Dedham Essex CO7 6AD	Three floors of Arts, Crafts & studio workshops. This beautifully converted church is one of East Anglia's leading Craft Centres. The ground floor is home to a Cotswold Company showroom and a vegetarian restaurant/tearoom while the top two floors host work by local artists and craftsmen together with a large variety of quality goods sourced from around the world. Our local craftsmen are always on hand to give you information about any of the work on display.	Tel: 01206 322 666

Rainham Hall

Rainham Hall The Broadway Rainham Havering RM13 9YN Telephone: 020 7799 4552	Charming early Georgian House in a peaceful garden, built in 1729 to a symmetrical plan and with fine wrought iron gates, carved porch and interior panelling. Many surprising features and fine craftmanship. Public access limited to Saturday and Bank Holiday Monday afternoons. (Photo©National Trust) www.nationaltrust.org.uk


Palms Hotel	.. . in Hornchurch, southwest Essex on the A127	..with superb facilities.
	.. or ..
Marygreen Manor	.. in an early 16th century house, original Tudor bedrooms, luxuriously furnished with four-poster or antique carved beds. ..	.. located in Brentwood, just off the M25.

Thaxted Guildhall

Thaxted Guildhall Town Street Thaxted Essex CM6 2RE Telephone 01371 831281	A 15thC building moot hall housing a permanent display of old photographs and relics, mainly relating to the history of Thaxted. The building is used for local community events, fetes, antiques fairs and craft exhibitions. Thaxted Guildhall was built by the guild of Cutlers in 1390 and used as the head quarters of the guild. The open plan ground floor was designed as meeting and trading point for the village, whilst the upstairs provided private office and residential space for the warden.


The Swan Hotel	.. in a traditional old English coaching inn with real ales and fantastic home-cooked food.	.. in the charming Tudor village of Thaxted.
	.. or ..
Thaxted Hall	.. in comfortable, well-equipped en suite accommodation in attractive, traditional surroundings.	.. Stansted Airport is a short drive away

Stansted Mountfitchet Castle

Stansted Mountfitchet Castle Stansted Essex CM24 8SP Tel: 01279 813237	Stansted Mountfitchet castle is the only Norman motte and bailey castle in the world. It was originally an Iron Age fort then later a Saxon and Viking village, and eventually conquered in 1066 by William the Conquerer who handed it down to his cousin, the Duke of Boulogne. The castle is situated in the village of Stansted near to the train station, a short distance from Junction 8 of the M11. There is a pay and display car park next to the castle, a picnic site and a tearoom offering food, refreshments and souvenirs.


Chimneys	.. in a delightful 17th century house situated in the heart of the historical Norman village of Stansted Mountfitchet.	.. just 10 minutes by car from Stansted Airport
	.. or ..
Little Hallingbury Mill	.. in an old converted flour mill on the banks of the River Stort, a warm friendly country guest house.	.. only 16 mins drive from Stansted Airport.

Castle Hedingham

Castle Hedingham Halstead Essex CO9 3DJ Tel: 01787 460261	The Norman Keep at Hedingham castle is one of the finest in the country. It was built around 1140 for Aubrey de Vere II, and was probably designed by William de Corbeuil, Archbishop of Canterbury, who also designed the similar great tower at Rochester Castle. There is a magnificent banqueting hall, minstrel’s gallery and a fine Norman arch set in beautiful grounds with peaceful woodland and lakeside walks. www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk


Bull Hotel	.. in a coaching inn of historic character and charm	....in the small, attractive town of Halstead.
	.. or ..
Drapers Hotel	.. in a modern, stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of the Colne Valley	.. about 3 miles to the east of Halstead.

Harwich Electric Palace Cinema / MS Brightlingsea

The Electric Palace Trust and Electric Palace (Harwich) Ltd King's Quay Street Harwich Tel: 01255 553 333	The Electric Palace cinema in Harwich is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive complete with its silent screen, original projection room and ornamental frontage still intact. Other interesting features include an open plan entrance lobby complete with paybox, and a small stage plus dressing rooms although the latter are now unusable. There is also a former gas powered generator engine with a 7 foot fly wheel situated in the basement.




The Tower Hotel	....in a Grade Two-Listed Building, an imposing residence built in 1885 in the Italian style, set in its own pleasant leafy grounds.	....a few minutes' walk from the train station.
	.. or ..
The Hotel Continental	.. in a Victorian seaside property overlooking the sea at Dovercourt Bay	.. minutes by car from Harwich International Port.



MS Brightlingsea Limited Flat 1 Kirby Court Gobbitts Yard Woodbridge IP12 1DD	A vintage river boat operating on the Orwelland the Stour. All trips will run from Ha’penny Pier, Harwich. Licensed Bar and coal stove on board. Booking is strongly advised as walk-on availability is not guaranteed. Tel: 07788 594085. Email: sales@msbrightlingsea.com. www.msbrightlingsea.com.

Tropical Wings World of Wildlife at South Woodham Ferrers

Tropical Wings World of Wildlife Wickford Road South Woodham Ferrers Essex CM3 5QZ. Tel/Fax: 01245 425394	Tropical Wings is set in acres of attractive gardens and features one of the largest butterfly houses in the country. There are many different species of birds, insects and animals. There is a massive selection of wildlife to interact with at Tropical Wings. Daily activities include: Feeding the Wallabies, Lemur & Meerkat Feeding Time, Indoor Parrot Free Flying Display, Birds of Prey Flying display in the Outdoor Arena.


Holiday Inn BASILDON	.. .. located on the Festival Leisure Park, set in its own grounds overlooking picturesque garden and fishing lake. ..	.... on the outskirts of Basildon

Ware Museum

Ware Museum 89 High Street Ware Herts SG12 9AL Tel: 01920 487848	Ware Museum has a timeline display of Ware’s History from pre-history times to the Second World War. The World War 2 Bunker houses an interactive area where children can learn about the Blitz and the ‘joys’ of being evacuees.	www.waremuseum.org.uk


The Roebuck Hotel	.. ..overlooking the old market town, in the friendly and comfortable Roebuck Hotel	..conveniently located only 15 miles from the M25 and 1 mile from Ware train station.
	.. or ..
Fanhams Hall Hotel Ware	.... in 27 acres of stunning grounds and only a mile from Ware, Fanhams Hall is a listed Jacobean building	.. offering a balance of relaxed comfort and informal surroundings

Essex Wildlife Trust at Langdon Nature Reserve / Festival Leisure Park Basildon

Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Nature Reserve Third Avenue Lower Dunton Road Basildon Essex SS16 6EB	461 Acres of woodland, meadows and lake to explore by foot, bike or horse. Visitor centre with refreshments. 1930's house - take a step back in time. Kids activity booklets, activity packs and self guided walks available at any time. Children's activities available throughout school holidays. Centre and reserve open 9.00am - 5.00pm Tues - Sun. Open bank holidays. Tel: 01268 419103	www.essexwt.org.uk



Basildon (Festival Park) Premier Travel Inn	.. at the Premier Travel Inn Basildon located on the Festival Leisure Park Festival Park	.. with Bluewater and Lakeside only 15 minutes drive away.
	.. or ..
Holiday Inn Basildon	.... set on the Festival Leisure Park in its own grounds, within easy reach of Southend on Sea, Lakeside and Bluewater shopping centres	.. features 148 air conditioned rooms over 6 floors.



Festival Leisure Park Cranes Farm Road Basildon Essex SS14 3TJ	An important leisure destination for people from all over south Essex. Large multi-screen cinema, bowling alley, restaurants and bars, activity centre for youngsters. A superbly equipped sports complex, nightlife.	Tel: 01268 531973

East Anglian Railway Museum / Colchester Zoo

East Anglian Railway Museum Chappel Station Colchester CO6 2DS tel: 01206 242524	The East Anglian Railway Museum is an open air site based at Chappel and Wakes Colne Railway station. The entire site forms the Museum, which is made up of Station Buildings, Signal Boxes, Goods Shed and Restoration Shed.



The Red Lion Hotel	.. ..at the Red Lion Hotel, an historical Grade I listed building (1465) located in the town centre of historic Colchester.	.. with excellent transport links to the M11, M25, Stansted Airport
	.. or ..
The George of Colchester	.. in a 500 year-old coaching house, in the heart of Colchester, Englands oldest recorded town.	.. with 47 beautiful, individually decorated, spacious bedrooms



Colchester Zoo Maldon Rd Stanway Colchester CO3 0SL	Colchester Zoo has the best big cat and primate collections in Europe. It has over 260 species of animals and over 545 sub-species; many of these are classified as endangered or vulnerable species.	01206 331292

Colchester Castle Museum / Tymperleys Clock Tower

Colchester Castle Museum & Gardens Castle Park Colchester Tel: 01206 282931/2	2000 years of some of the most important events in British history. The Museum is housed in the Norman keep of the Castle and the collections contain flint tools from the Palaeolithic to Neolithic ages, bronze weapons, axes and palstaves and a hoard of late Bronze Age jewellery. The Museum is particularly concerned with the Roman occupation of Colchester and the Boudiccan revolt that burnt the town.	www.colchestermuseums.org.uk



Wivenhoe House Hotel	.. in an 18th century manor, delightfully situated in its own parkland grounds on the edge of Colchester.	.. elegantly refurbished and offering all the comfort and hospitality of a country house



Tymperleys Clock Tower Trinity Street Colchester CO1 1JN	A timber framed house, home to a fine collection of 18th & 19th Century Clocks.	Tel: 01206 - 282931

Bourne Mill / Layer Marney Tower

Bourne Mill Bourne Road Colchester Essex CO2 8RT Telephone: 01206 572422	A National Trust Property, a delightful stone-built 16th-century watermill with working waterwheel.A verdant oasis in suburban Colchester. (photo© NTPL / S Greenwell)



Five Lakes Hotel Golf & Country Club	..at the Five Lakes Resort offering the ultimate in four star luxury.	.. nestling in 320 acres of beautiful Essex countryside surrounded by two 18 hole golf courses
	.. or ..
Prested Hall	.. partially surrounded by a moat, Prested Hall offers 15th and 18th century interiors, stunning Art Nouveau decor and elegant 1930s extensions.	.. with 10 attractive en suite rooms and 6 one and two-bedroom serviced apartments
	.. or ..
The Marks Tey Hotel	.. a modern hotel and leisure club, located to the south of Colchester with 110 bedrooms carefully designed with your personal comfort in mind.	.. close to Constable country, including Flatford Mill and Dedham



Layer Marney Tower Layer Marney Nr Colchester CO5 9US	England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse offers visitors magnificent views to the Blackwater estuary and beyond. The view from the roof shows the church, outbuildings, play area, gardens, estate and wildlife walk. The gatehouse, farm and gardens are open to the public between April and September each year.	Tel: 01206 330784

Hatfield Forest

Hatfield Forest Takeley nr Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire CM22 6NE Telephone: 01279 874040 (Infoline)	An ancient royal hunting forest designated Site of Special Scientific. Of great historical and ecological importance, the forest is a designated SSSI and National Nature Reserve. The trees here support a huge variety of wildlife, with miles of excellent walks and nature trails. During summer cattle graze in the forest. (Photo© NTPL / Paul Wakefield)


Hunters Meet Hotel & Leisure Centre	.. in a hotel, restaurant & leisure centre that has become totally unrivalled in the area.	.. Stansted International Airport is just 7 miles away.
	.. or ..
Down Hall Country House Hotel	.. dating back to 1540, Down Hall is situated in 100 acres of parkland, woodland and landscaped gardens, just 9 miles from Stansted Airport. Approach the hotel and estate along a sweeping tree lined drive before reaching the magnificent entrance...	.. enjoy the sumptuous surroundings of the main lounge with its fine furnishings, antiques, brilliant chandeliers and exquisite tapestries.

Braintree District Museum

Braintree District Museum Town Hall Centre, Market Square Braintree Essex CM7 3YG	Braintree District Museum is housed in a Victorian School with original classroom where role-play sessions for both Victorians and Evacuees take place daily for visiting schools. The displays tell the story of the area's rich industrial heritage, particularly in textiles.	Tel: 01376 325266


White Hart Hotel	..in a beautiful 16th century coaching inn combined with modern comforts.	.. located in the centre of the town.
	.. or ..
Purple Hotel Braintree	.. at the Purple Hotel hotel with industrial strength WiFi, large bedrooms, comfy beds, spacious desks, flatscreen TVs, and power showers	.. ..close to handy transport connections

Essex County Cricket Club

Essex County Cricket Club The Ford County Ground New Writtle Street Chelmsford Essex CM2 0PG	The club started in Brentwood in 1876. Essex County Cricket Club moved to the County Ground in Chelmsford in 1966. Essex first won the County Championship and the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1979.	01245 252420



County Classic Hotel	.. . located just a few minutes’ walk from the train station and close to Chelmsford town centre. The 54 spacious and contemporary rooms are bright, stylish and feature flat screen TVs, free wireless internet access and Freeview and satellite TV.	.. Chelmsford Museum, Essex County Cricket Club, Riverside Ice and Leisure and Chelmsford Cathedral are all within walking distance of the hotel.
	.. or ..
Best Western Atlantic Hotel	.. in a traditional hotel with contemporary twists where you can enjoy comfortable, spacious and practical rooms designed with a stylish, modern decor and fabrics.	.. where guests can enjoy complimentary use of Fitness First gym.



Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre Victoria Road Chelmsford Essex, CM1 1FG	Riverside Ice and Leisure provides a focus for leisure in Chelmsford with a range of facilities that is both unique and extensive. Main Pool is a 33.3 by 12.5 metre, six lane, indoor, competition pool.	Tel: 01245 615050

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