Holidays in Essex: 15 great things to do
Whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic break away or a family planning a summer vacation to remember, holidays in Essex are the perfect choice!
There is so much to see, do and explore on a holiday in Essex. If you’re looking for adventure and want to explore the great outdoors then you’ll be spoilt for choice. But, if you prefer to take things easy, and would rather spend your time relaxing in our great accommodation or enjoying walks on the beach or meals in top nearby restaurants, then holidays in Essex can cater for you too…
To highlight just some of the many action-packed (and relaxing) things you can do in Essex – many of which are only a short distance from our holiday park – we’ve put together a list of 15 things you should do during your stay with us. Get ready to be inspired!
- Visit Frinton-on-Sea: Escape from the overcrowded beaches and head somewhere that’s a little quiet, but not less beautiful. Fricton doesn’t get the huge numbers of visitors compared to Clacton and Southend, but it’s well worth a visit on a sunny day.
- Take an evening stroll on West Mersea beach: As the evening sun beats down, what could be better than a romantic walk along the sandy beach, listening to the birds and watching the fishing boats and leisure craft out on the water? A magical way to spend the evening.
- Enjoy some great local food: Essex boasts some fantastic restaurants, from top international cuisine to locally caught seafood. And for those who enjoy nothing more than fresh oysters and shellfish, Mersea Island is the place to be. Try the West Mersea Oyster Bar, which has a strong reputation for great food.
- Visit Colchester Zoo: Just 9 miles away, Colchester Zoo is a must visit for you and the family. It is regarded as one of Europe’s finest zoos with hundreds of rare animals to meet.
- Clacton-on-Sea is a popular resort, with a great collection of beaches. It is well known fact that this is the best place in the world to build sandcastles. Well, we think so anyway…
- Enjoy a drink at the Railway Tavern in Kelvedon: Overlooking the river, here you can enjoy a quiet evening drink and some great food. You might even want to feed the many ducks that gather nearby (and who always seem to know when it’s time for food). A lovely spot.
- Holidays in Essex are not complete without a visit to the Tiptree Jam Factory Tea Room and Visitor Centre . Open 7 days a week, here you can learn all about this history of jam making at the Wilkin & Sons factory and also enjoy a nice cuppa with some Tiptree products, of course!
- Take a trip to Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum: The gardens feature a tree collection from all the temperate areas of the world and are set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape.
- Cudmore Grove is right on our doorstep and is a must for anyone planning a stay with us on Mersea Island. Enjoy walks among this rich landscape which combines the best of coast and country!
- Colchester Castle is the largest Norman keep in Europe and 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 popular visitor attractions in the East of England.
- Fingringhoe Wick is a must for wildlife lovers and twitchers. Overlooking the Colne Estuary, this nature reserve offers fantastic views over the water, grassland and heathland and a chance to see thousands of birds.
- Also nearby is Beth Chatto Gardens and, for the horticulturalists among you, is highly recommended. Over 50 years ago the area where it now stands was an overgrown wasteland and now it is spectacular informal garden. Well worth a visit!
- Go crabbing at Maldon A very British thing to do, isn’t it? Still, it’s a lot of fun and the kids will have a great time catching the Green Shore Crabs found on the Essex coast. In Maldon, the best place for crabbing is around Promenade Park.
- If you like your holidays in Essex to have a historical theme then a visit to Layer Marney Tower might be right up your street. England’s tallest Tudor Gatehouse, the tower was built in the reign of Henry VIII and is a statement of the wealth and power of its owner, Lord Marney.
- The nearby Blackwater Estuary Nature Reserve is located just across the water from Mersea Island. This is the largest estuary in Essex and one of the largest estuarine complexes in East Anglia – it is of international conservation importance and home to hundreds of thousands of birds.
The above list is just a few of the many things you can do on holidays in Essex. To book your stay with us, contact us today on 01206 382898 or book on-line here.