The Best Essex Attractions & Activities

a grand Jacobean house with much period detail. Explore life below stairs in the service wing and meet the horses in the stable yard

come & visit Lord Braybrooke's private steam & diesel railway that runs through pretty woodland for 1.5 miles. Spot the teddy bears that line the route

gardens created by the award winning, lecturer and plantswoman, Beth Chatto. The 5 main areas all deal with challenging soils and aspects

internationally important wetland site, with up to 40,000 ducks, geese and swans visiting each year with five hides on the site for watching the wide range of wildlife that visit the reservoir

Enjoy the varied programme of exhibitions, films and events. Relax in the new cafe with outdoor balcony seating and find fresh and fun new products in the shop. There is also a children's events programme

this charming hamlet was the inspiration for many of Constable's paintings, famously 'The Hay Wain' and 'Flatford Mill'

boasting the very latest in marine technology creating an underwater tunnel allowing an all-round view of hundreds of species

Braintree District Museum highlights the area’s industrial and social heritage, from silk weaving to Crittall windows. Set in a former Victorian school, it offers engaging exhibits, local art, and family-friendly activities.

Colchester Castle in Essex is a Norman fortress built on the foundations of a Roman temple. Now a museum, it showcases Roman artefacts, medieval history, and interactive displays, all within the largest surviving Norman keep in Europe.

Southend-on-Sea Pier in Essex is the world’s longest pleasure pier, stretching 1.33 miles into the Thames Estuary. Visitors can walk or take the pier train, enjoying sweeping coastal views and a true seaside experience.

exciting and ambitious exhibitions depicting the story of the town’s links with the sea and River Colne, including its unique role as a Limb of the Cinque Ports, the only one north of the Thames

an impressive, Tudor, merchant's house boasting an attractive garden and some ornate internal panelling and carvings

Barleylands Farm Museum in Essex celebrates rural life with displays of vintage farming tools, machinery and crafts. Set within a family-friendly farm park, it offers hands-on learning and a glimpse into agricultural history.

Boydells Dairy Farm in Essex is a working farm where visitors can meet, feed and milk animals. With lambs, goats and ponies, it offers a fun, hands-on countryside experience for families and children.

Brentwood Museum, set in a 19th-century cottage, displays everyday objects from the past. Run by volunteers, it offers a nostalgic glimpse into local life, from domestic items to wartime memorabilia.

Hollytrees Museum, set in a Georgian townhouse in Colchester, explores 300 years of local life. With period rooms, toys, clocks and family artefacts, it offers a charming glimpse into Colchester’s past. Free entry and set within the scenic Castle Park.