Place to stay things to do. North east Essex?
Discussion
sjc said:
There's so much stuff on this thread it should be madea sticky. Lived all my life in Essex, and never new half of it existed....need to get out more.
Essex has loads to offer but is often over looked. For those who like walking etc, we have one of the largest Public Right of Way networks in the country with over 6000km of paths all of which date back at least 400 years. Many of the byways date back to Saxon and Roman times.If you like history then we obviously have a strong Roman influence surrounding Colchester and Chelmsford, many of the roads in the area are built on top of the original Roman routes including the A12. Castle Hedingham is the only surviving Norman Keep in Europe and if you fancy beer/food, head over to the village of Hempstead and visit the pub where Dick Turpin was born. Speaking of pubs Essex has the oldest pub in the country in Great Leighs (St Annes Castle) and the land lord is often very happy to tell you all the ghost stories around it too.
On Mersea island the oyster trade has hardly changed for hundreds of years and on the other side of the island you can still see iron age kilns in the marshes as well as prehistoric pottery that litters the area.
Random fact - Robert Bruce, King of Scotland was apparently born in Essex as well. We also have the oldest standing chapel in the country over in Bradwell-on-sea and plenty of other churches dating back to the medieval period (e.g. Blackmore just celebrated 900 years - I know this as we provided some archery). In hand with this Essex had more "witches" than any other county.
Every district in Essex is different, Epping is agriculture and forestry where as on the opposite side of the county Tendring is flat and windswept. North Uttlesford is picturesque & hilly and rural Rochford is like stepping back in time... especially if you are brave enough to head over to Foulness. Speaking of Foulness, almost every modern weapon has been tested there for at least 100 years. The harrier jump jet was tested there as was the supersonic jet engines of the "Thrust 2" speed record car.
Colchester of course is the oldest recorded town but Manningtree is the smallest.
If you like wildlife deer are absolutely everywhere, we have huge amounts of RSPB land and you also stand a good chance of seeing adders in Danbury common.
You can also visit the world famous Tiptree Jam factory and no matter where you go in the world, the chances of seeing their jam out for breakfast in the hotel is extremely high. Drive carefully on your way though as we also have the highest number of speed cameras!
Edited by SheriffAds on Wednesday 25th June 18:35
As another north east Essex resident, it's lovely to see a thread about the nice aspects of the country (ie not the spray-tan sarf Essex 
) .
When are you planning to visit? There's the Clacton Air Show on the 21st and 22nd of August. It's a massive event and this year will even have both the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster and the Canadian one flying together.
I can heartily recommend dining at the Mistley Thorn, or if that's full, there's always their sister restaurant Lucca in Manningtree - superb Italian food at sensible prices.
if you're heading down to Harwich, there's the Redoubt (Napoleonic fort) or even the Electric Palace cinema which are both well worth a visit. There's also a great chippy - Pisceas - with really fresh fish landed that day.
Also very good dog walking down in Dovercourt - just park up next to the sports centre and there's a decent beach to walk along. Dogs are allowed on it all year round. If you're in Manningtree, then nearby Furze Hills is dog heaven - woods, open field and even smelly streams and a lake.
I'd back up the earlier comments about Jaywick (or West Clacton as some locals try to call it). Even BT engineers have to travel in pairs there and don't venture that way after dark.
) .When are you planning to visit? There's the Clacton Air Show on the 21st and 22nd of August. It's a massive event and this year will even have both the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster and the Canadian one flying together.
I can heartily recommend dining at the Mistley Thorn, or if that's full, there's always their sister restaurant Lucca in Manningtree - superb Italian food at sensible prices.
if you're heading down to Harwich, there's the Redoubt (Napoleonic fort) or even the Electric Palace cinema which are both well worth a visit. There's also a great chippy - Pisceas - with really fresh fish landed that day.
Also very good dog walking down in Dovercourt - just park up next to the sports centre and there's a decent beach to walk along. Dogs are allowed on it all year round. If you're in Manningtree, then nearby Furze Hills is dog heaven - woods, open field and even smelly streams and a lake.
I'd back up the earlier comments about Jaywick (or West Clacton as some locals try to call it). Even BT engineers have to travel in pairs there and don't venture that way after dark.
Thanks once again, SherrifAds & rscott.
We love Suffok, visit there a lot and we plan on retiring up there in a couple of years. However, being a North Londoner, I'm aware that Essex is HUGE and is so much more than Ilford and Soufend. That's why me & Mrs Blib have decided to check out the county.
Yes, we've booked a hotel in Suffolk (
). But, we do plan on heading south of Kesgrave Hall to check out the wilder regions of your county.
Hence this thread.
We love Suffok, visit there a lot and we plan on retiring up there in a couple of years. However, being a North Londoner, I'm aware that Essex is HUGE and is so much more than Ilford and Soufend. That's why me & Mrs Blib have decided to check out the county.
Yes, we've booked a hotel in Suffolk (
). But, we do plan on heading south of Kesgrave Hall to check out the wilder regions of your county.Hence this thread.
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