Suggestion-A few hours to waste in Essex
Discussion
Depends what you're interested in.
You're 15 minutes from Ongar which has some nice places to eat and could walk to Greensted (15 mins) where there is the oldest wooden church in England. More interesting than it might sound.
North Weald airfield is also close and usually has some interesting planes including some from WW2. .
You're 15 minutes from Ongar which has some nice places to eat and could walk to Greensted (15 mins) where there is the oldest wooden church in England. More interesting than it might sound.
North Weald airfield is also close and usually has some interesting planes including some from WW2. .
The secret nuclear bunker near Ongar is a great way to spend a few hours:
https://secretnuclearbunker.com/
If you like shopping then Braintree has a massive outlet village.
https://secretnuclearbunker.com/
If you like shopping then Braintree has a massive outlet village.
LeoSayer said:
The secret nuclear bunker near Ongar is a great way to spend a few hours:
https://secretnuclearbunker.com/
Seen the signs for this. Raises a chuckle.https://secretnuclearbunker.com/
A little outside the circle but only 20 mins or so from Chelmsford Town Centre is Maldon. Promenade Park is lovely. Hythe Quay is interesting with lots of old Thames Barges moored there. Mrs Sailsbury Tea Shop (High Street and in the Park) do a superb sausage roll! https://www.visitmaldon.co.uk/the-hythe/
On the way to / from Maldon is Paper Mill Lock - Little Baddow. Lovely, peaceful stretch of canal and a Tea Room. https://www.papermilllock.co.uk
Again, a little outside the circle but not by much is the Museum of Power in Langford (and also on the way from / to Maldon). Working steam pump and other industrial and more modern stuff all housed in a Victorian Pumping House. https://www.museumofpower.org.uk
If you like a bit of Horticulture, there's RHS Hyde Hall - south of Chelmsford, heading towards South Woodham Ferrers. https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall
Stow Maries Airfield - last remaining and operational WW1 airfield in the UK. They have a museum of bi-planes and have renovated a lot of the outbuildings and workshops to their original form - fascinating place: https://www.stowmaries.org.uk
Chelmsford Museum is well worth a mooch round: https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/
And I quite like Chelmsford itself. Quite a pleasing City to have a wander around. Moulsham Street is quite quirky/bohemian. Bond Street for John Lewis and high-end retail and a nice little water-side area there too.
On the way to / from Maldon is Paper Mill Lock - Little Baddow. Lovely, peaceful stretch of canal and a Tea Room. https://www.papermilllock.co.uk
Again, a little outside the circle but not by much is the Museum of Power in Langford (and also on the way from / to Maldon). Working steam pump and other industrial and more modern stuff all housed in a Victorian Pumping House. https://www.museumofpower.org.uk
If you like a bit of Horticulture, there's RHS Hyde Hall - south of Chelmsford, heading towards South Woodham Ferrers. https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall
Stow Maries Airfield - last remaining and operational WW1 airfield in the UK. They have a museum of bi-planes and have renovated a lot of the outbuildings and workshops to their original form - fascinating place: https://www.stowmaries.org.uk
Chelmsford Museum is well worth a mooch round: https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/
And I quite like Chelmsford itself. Quite a pleasing City to have a wander around. Moulsham Street is quite quirky/bohemian. Bond Street for John Lewis and high-end retail and a nice little water-side area there too.
zetec said:
If you're into nature etc. Hanningfield reservoir is a nice place to visit. Some nice walks, a cafe and a bird spotting hide equipped with binoculars etc. It's been a few years since I visited but was always a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Was just about to post the same,I live 5 mins walk from there. Also got the superb Old Windmill pub virtually at the entrance to it at the South Hanningfield side.Some good suggestions from StevieBee above as well,as I previously lived in Little Baddow !
EmailAddress said:
Anybody have any ideas to while away a morning in Essex?
We'll be driving into the county and then having to wait from about 9am-2pm.
Nothing outrageous. Somewhere with a bench, a drink, a snack etc.

Maybe something outdoors and NSFWWe'll be driving into the county and then having to wait from about 9am-2pm.
Nothing outrageous. Somewhere with a bench, a drink, a snack etc.
https://www.doggingaction.co.uk/dogging-news/brent...
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