Holidays in Essex: 15 great things to do on your doorstep

Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic break or a family planning a summer holiday to remember, holidays in Essex are a brilliant choice. There’s so much to see, do and explore, and at Waldegraves Holiday Park on Mersea Island, most of the best of it is right on your doorstep.

If you’re looking for adventure and want to explore the great outdoors, you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you’d rather take things easy with quiet beach walks and meals at top local restaurants, holidays in Essex have you covered too. To help you make the most of your stay, we’ve pulled together 15 things worth doing during your time with us. Read on for inspiration.

1. Explore Mersea Island on foot: The small island of Mersea that our holiday park calls home is genuinely worth exploring. Coastal walks along rivers, estuaries and streams, country strolls surrounded by fields and farmland, and a working causeway that disappears under the tide twice a day. Have a look at some of our favourite walks here.
2. Visit Cudmore Grove Country Park: At the eastern end of the island, Cudmore Grove is an area of stunning natural beauty with a sandy beach perfect for a picnic. There’s a visitor’s centre, a bird hide, and special events through the summer months. A must for anyone staying with us.
3. Enjoy the finest local seafood: You can’t visit Mersea Island without trying some of the best seafood in the country. The Company Shed and West Mersea Oyster Bar are two of our favourites, both known for fresh oysters and shellfish straight off the boats.
4. Take an evening stroll on West Mersea beach: As the evening sun goes down, a quiet walk along the sandy beach is a magical way to end the day. Listen to the birds, watch the fishing boats and leisure craft out on the water, and breathe in the sea air.
5. Visit Mersea Island Vineyard: If you enjoy a good glass of wine, Mersea Island Vineyard is well worth a trip. They produce over 20,000 bottles a year. Take a tour, sample some of the white and sparkling wines (which pair beautifully with the local seafood), and explore this ten-acre estate to the north of the island.
6. Make a day of it at Colchester Zoo: Just nine miles away, Colchester Zoo is regarded as one of Europe’s finest. Hundreds of rare animals across landscaped enclosures, plus play areas and food spots, make this a fantastic day out for the family.
7. Step inside Colchester Castle: Colchester Castle is the largest Norman keep in Europe, built when Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain. It’s one of England’s most important heritage sites and one of the most visited attractions in the East of England.
8. Discover the Tiptree Jam Factory and Museum: Just a short drive from the island, the Tiptree Jam Factory and Museum is home to one of the most famous jam brands in the country. Open seven days a week, you can learn the history of jam-making at the Wilkin & Sons factory and pick up a few tasty souvenirs while you’re there.
9. Spend the day at Clacton-on-Sea: Clacton is a classic British seaside resort with a great collection of beaches. The kids will love the pier and the arcades, and we think the sand here is genuinely some of the best for building sandcastles anywhere in the country.
10. Visit Frinton-on-Sea for a quieter beach day: If you’d rather escape the crowds, Frinton is a beautiful alternative. It doesn’t pull the visitor numbers of Clacton or Southend, but on a sunny day it’s a wonderful spot for a relaxed beach trip.
11. Wander Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum: Marks Hall is home to a tree collection from temperate regions across the world, set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape. A peaceful day out for anyone who enjoys gardens, woodland, and slow walks.
12. Watch the wildlife at Fingringhoe Wick: For wildlife lovers and birdwatchers, Fingringhoe Wick is a must. Overlooking the Colne Estuary, the reserve offers sweeping views over water, grassland and heathland, and the chance to see thousands of birds across the seasons.
13. Explore Beth Chatto Gardens: Over fifty years ago the land where Beth Chatto Gardens now stands was an overgrown wasteland. Today it’s a spectacular, informal garden that’s well worth the visit for anyone who loves plants and design.
14. Step back in time at Layer Marney Tower: If you like a touch of history with your holiday, Layer Marney Tower is right up your street. England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse, built in the reign of Henry VIII, the tower is a statement of the wealth and power of its original owner, Lord Marney.
15. Explore the Blackwater Estuary Nature Reserve: Just across the water from Mersea Island, the Blackwater Estuary is the largest in Essex and one of the largest estuarine complexes in East Anglia. It’s of international conservation importance and home to hundreds of thousands of birds across the year.

These are just a few of the things you can do during a holiday with us. To book your stay, check our availability or call us on 01206 382898.