Essex
Rural, rustic and offering some of the finest food and drink in the UK, Essex has the perfect combination of rugged coastlines, manicured gardens and historic houses. Have we piqued your interest? It's time to start planning your short break.
An afternoon tea prepared with locally produced Tiptree Jam is a must on a visit to Essex
Local Beth Chatto has won 10 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, making her gardens a must-see
Essex is renowned wine-producing region of England, so a vineyard tour is a must
Itineraries in Essex
Our planned itineraries are the easiest way to discover exciting attractions and places to stay. Explore itineraries by theme, and choose which places that fit your budget or length of stay...
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Featured attractions
From guided tours of gardens, to five star dining and unique spots to rest your head, choose from our selection of days out and places to stay, and start planning your adventure.
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New Hall Vineyard
Each year in September we hold our very popular Wine Festival which attracts thousands of visitors and was declared by Decanter Magazine as one of the top 10 Wine Festivals in the world.Each year in September we hold our very popular Wine Festival...
RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Set in the heart of rural Essex, and enjoying stunning panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, RHS Hyde Hall is one of the finest gardens in the east of England.
Tiptree Tearoom, Museum and Shop
The tea room offers traditional table service in comfortable surroundings, with a museum charting the history of the coveted British producer.
Wivenhoe House Hotel
Wivenhoe House hotel is a luxury four-star country house hotel near the ancient town of Colchester
About Essex
Discover chic restaurants and fine dining, or tour the vineyards of the area for a glimpse of the region’s wine-growing prowess. For a real taste of Essex’s local produce, afternoon tea paired with the renowned Tiptree Jam is a must and a fantastic English tradition. From its 350 mile coastline, you’ll find a whole host of the freshest fish and seafood, served in pubs and restaurants across the county, so be sure to give it a try while you’re here.
Essex’s gardens can be found surrounding its many beautiful manor houses, ranging from the traditionally manicured formal gardens, to rambling woodland and wild gardens. Here you’ll find a variety of horticultural gems that have long inspired the green-fingered visitor, all set within the region’s richly contrasting scenery and landscapes.
Getting here and around
Sitting on the border with London, similarly to Hertfordshire and Kent, Essex is very well connected with major international routes.
By air, visitors can arrive into the central London airports, but also Stansted in the west of the county and Southend in the east. For those arriving by car, Stena Line operates a ferry service from Harwich to and from Hoek Van Holland in the Netherlands, which accepts cars, bikes and foot passengers. The port of Harwich has a train station to connect to wider Essex with Greater Anglia Trains. You can also arrive via P&O Ferries Calais to Dover route or Eurotunnel's Calais to Folkestone route, if you wish to take in another county such as Kent.
Once in the county, the road network is wide, connecting the larger towns with the little villages, with M, A and B roads.