Places of Interest - Essex

Essex hotels
bed and breakfast in Essex
self catering in Essex

Flatford
Flatford: Bridge Cottage Flatford, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL Tel: 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

*Harwich*
The Electric Palace Trust and Electric Palace (Harwich) Ltd King's Quay Street Harwich Tel: 01255 553 333	The Electric Palace cinema, 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.

MS Brightlingsea Limited Flat 1 Kirby Court Gobbitts Yard Woodbridge IP12 1DD	All trips will run from Ha’penny Pier, Harwich. Licensed Bar and coal stove on board. RIVER TRIPS ON THE ORWELL AND STOUR.. Booking is strongly advised as walk-on availability is not guaranteed. Tel: 07788 594085. Email: sales@msbrightlingsea.com. Website: www.msbrightlingsea.com.

South Woodham Ferrers
Tropical Wings Wickford Road South Woodham Ferrers Essex CM3 5QZ	Tropical Wings at South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, 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, and we pride ourselves on encouraging interaction where possible.	Contact: Sue Anderson Tel: 01245 425394 www.tropicalwings.co.uk

*Rainham*
Rainham Hall The Broadway Rainham Essex RM13 9YN Tel: 01494 528051	An elegant Georgian house, built in 1729 to a symmetrical plan and with fine wrought iron gates, carved porch and interior panelling. National Trust Property

Stansted Mountfitchet
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.

*Thaxted*
Mr Leeder Town Street Thaxted Essex CM6 2LD Tel: 01371 830226	Thaxted Guildhall A 15thC building housing a permanent display of oldphotographs and relics, mainly relating to the history ofThaxted. Exhibitions on some weekends and a small museum.

*Halstead*
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.

*Ware*
Ware Museum 89 High Street Ware Herts SG12 9AL Tel: 01920 487848	Includes a Second World War Air-Raid Shelter as an educational activity area where schools can learn about the Blitz, the joys of being evacuees, rationing and so on

*Southend*
Roots Hall, Victoria Avenue Southend FC Southend-on-Sea Essex SS2 6NQ Tel : 01702 304050	The ground was once the site of a house called Roots Hall, and had been used previously by a team called Southend Athletic FC

*Basildon*

Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Nature Reserve Third Avenue Lower Dunton Road Basildon Essex SS16 6EB www.essexwt.org.uk	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
The Motorboat Museum Wat Tyler Country Park Basildon Essex, SS16 4UH	The only museum in the world devoted to the history of motor boats. Admission is free	Tel: 01268 550077
Wat Tyler Country Park Basildon Essex, SS16 4UH	120 acres of parkland and lakes with conservation sites, along with motorboat museum, craft shops and children's adventure playground.	Tel: 01268 550077
Basildon Sports Centre Basildon College, Nethermayne, Basildon SS16 5AS	Release all that excess energy and get fit at Basildon Sports Centre.	Tel: 01268 533166
Markhams Chase Leisure Centre	Squash Courts, Main Hall for Badminton to Basketball and lots of other activties with as Bar for centre users, sauna and weight training gym. It can offer a seletction of courses as well as being the home to YAWN Disabled Club and PLAYWEB Holiday childcare scheme for 5 - 12 year olds.	Tel: 01268 410126
UCI 12 Cinemas Festival Leisure Park Basildon Essex SS14 3WB	Other facilities available within the Festival Leisure Park - Hollywood Bowl - Ikon/Diva Night Club - TGI Fridays - McDonalds - Brewers Fayre Public House	Tickets: 0871 22 44 007
Festival Leisure Park Cranes Farm Road Basildon Essex SS14 3TJ	Basildon's Festival Leisure Park is 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. If you're looking for somewhere to eat, the choice is excellent.	Tel: 01268 531973

*Natural History Museum* High Street Colchester 01206 282931 "Hands On" perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age	*Colchester Leisure World* Cowdray Avenue Colchester 01206 282000 Including leisure pool, flume rides, bubbling spa pools and more	*Go Bananas* 9-10 Mason Road Colchester 01206 761762 Three storey play frame for 5-12 yr olds + attractions for 0-5 's

*Dedham Art & Craft Centre* High Street Dedham 01206 322 666 Three floors of Arts, Crafts & studio workshops	*Tymperleys Clock Tower* Trinity Street Colchester A timber framed house, home to a fine collection of 18th & 19th C Clocks	*East Anglian Railway Museum* Chappel Station Colchester 01206 242524 150 years of railway history

*Colchester Castle Museum & Gardens* Castle Park Colchester 01206 282931/2 Including the castle prisons. An oasis of horticultural splendour	*Rollerworld & Quasar* East Gates Colchester 01206 868868 Rollerskating rink & laser game	*Colchester Zoo* Maldon Road 01206 331292 Award winning attraction

*Bourne Mill* Colchester 01206 572422 National Trust Property	*Layer Marney Tower* Layer Marney 01206 330784 Deer & rare breeds farm. Also Englands tallest Tudor gate tower	*Aqua Springs* *Leisure World* Cowdray Avenue 01206 282010 Relaxation for adults with saunas & spa

*Bishop’s Stortford*
Hatfield Forest Takeley nr Bishop’s Stortford CM22 6NE	Ancient woodland – a rare surviving example of a medieval royal hunting forest. Of great historical and ecological importance, Hatfield Forest is a designated SSSI and National Nature Reserve. The pollarded hornbeams and oaks support a wide variety of wildlife and there are many excellent walks and nature trails, as well as fishing in the lake. During summer cattle graze in the forest

*Great Dunmow Leisure Centre*
Great Dunmow Leisure Centre Parsonage Downs Great Dunmow CM6 2AU Tel: 01371 878690	Harpers Fitness Suite/Gym - Harpers Dance/Aerobic Studio - 25 x 13m Pool with spectator seating - Sports Hall - Squash & Tennis Courts - Floodlit Synthetic Turf Pitch

*Braintree*
Braintree museum Town Hall Centre Market Square Braintree CM7 3YG	"Threads of Time" tells the story of Braintree District and its important place in our island's history. By creativity and skill, the people of the area developed ideas which shaped 20th Century life	01376 340803

*Chelmsford*
Chelmsford Library County Hall Market Road Chelmsford Essex CM1 1LF	Chelmsford Library is loacted in the heart of the town centre on the ground floor of County Hall and next to High Chelmer Shopping Centre. Access is from Market Road.	01245 492758
Dovedale Sports Centre Fitness Room Vicarage Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 0JQ	Fully equipped fitness room within the Dovedale Sports Centre. Contains "Technogym" exercise equipment.	01245 269020
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.	01245 615050
Essex County Cricket Club The Ford County Ground New Writtle Street Chelmsford Essex CM2 0PG 01245 252420	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.

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