Holiday accommodation in Essex: discover nature, coast and culture

Essex showcases its landscape in many different ways: Abberton Reservoir is a wetland of international importance, visited by 40,000 ducks, swans and geese every year. Walking trails lead through the area, while three accessible observation hides offer panoramic views across the reservoir. The Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Centre includes a café, shop, interactive exhibitions and accessible visitor facilities.

Nature

Fingringhoe Wick also combines wildlife observation with trails through a variety of habitats. The SSSI, covering more than 200 acres (80 hectares), provides habitats for birds, butterflies, dragonflies and flowering plants. Nature trails pass through woodland, scrubland and heath, past ponds and as far as the river estuary. There are also wildlife-watching events, courses for adults, activities for children and educational visits. Hanningfield Reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its important populations of waterfowl in autumn and winter; walking trails run through woodland areas at Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Reserve. Chafford Gorges Nature Discovery Park covers more than 200 acres of green space in Essex and has four trails for exploring the reserve.

RHS Garden Hyde Hall is set in the Essex countryside, just outside Chelmsford, and offers wide skies and far-reaching views. The garden is accessible by bus, train, bicycle or on foot and features an iconic Dry Garden. Epping Forest covers 2,400 hectares of ancient woodland.

Trails and coast

Essex has a 350-mile coastline. The Essex Way is an 81-mile long-distance walking trail from Epping to Harwich. On the Essex coast, The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall stands at one end of the St Peter's Way long-distance trail. Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve has a sea-wall path accessible from Tollesbury Marina. Essex also has an interactive map of public rights of way, with footpaths, bridleways and byways.

The region is connected by the M11, M25 and A12 road networks, as well as by train services operated by Greater Anglia and C2C. A waterway connects Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin.

Culture and history

At Audley End House and Gardens, visitors can explore the Great Hall, the State Rooms and the private apartments. The grounds of Audley End were designed by Capability Brown and include parkland to explore. The Service Wing offers insights into life in domestic service during the 1880s.

Hedingham Castle is an approximately 900-year-old motte-and-bailey castle with a Norman keep. The grounds and the keep are open to visitors on weekdays and at weekends. The Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall is an ancient Saxon chapel built by St Cedd in AD 654.

Local delights

Tiptree Tea Room, Shop & Museum displays the John Wilkin Collection, featuring artefacts relating to preserving production and village life in Essex, and serves freshly prepared lunches and homemade cakes. Some vineyards in Essex offer tours and wine tastings.

More places in Essex

More local pages from Essex: Woodham Ferrers, Waltham Abbey, Tolleshunt Knights, Thaxted, Takeley, Stansted Mountfitchet, Sheering, Rochford, Rivenhall, Manuden, Manningtree, Harwich, Harlow, Halstead, Great Hallingbury, Great Dunmow, Epping, Elsenham, Earls Colne, Colchester, Coggeshall, Chelmsford, Broxted, Brentwood, Braintree, Birchanger, Basildon, St Lawrence, Hempstead, Great Yeldham, Great Easton, Roydon, Billericay, Weeley, Rayleigh, Loughton, Stock, Stondon Massey, Stebbing, Saffron Walden, Wickford, Maldon, Ongar, Burnham-On-Crouch, North Weald Bassett, Walton-On-The-Naze, Witham, Canvey Island, Little Waltham, Chigwell, West Horndon, Frinton-On-Sea, Gosfield, Jaywick, Nazeing, Theydon Bois, Ingrave, Warley, Tiptree, Brightlingsea, Dedham, West Mersea, Southminster, Sible Hedingham, Rowhedge, Rawreth, Castle Hedingham, Bulmer, Boxted, Little Baddow, Little Hallingbury, Finchingfield, Steeple Bumpstead, Layer de la Haye, Great Bentley, Great Baddow, Layer Marney, Saint Osyth, Clavering, Battlesbridge, Black Notley, Bradwell-on-Sea, Heybridge.

For the main travel overview: East of England.