20 Attractions to Explore Near Prospect Cottage

The Colne Valley Railway is a heritage railway on the Essex Suffolk boarder in Castle Hedingham. We have a mile length of track with the picturesque 1950s station in the middle. The railway occupies part of the former Colne Valley and Halstead Railway (CVHR), which opened in stages between 16 April 1860 and 10 May 1863. This part of the railway was a through line from Birdbrook to Wakes Colne.

This majestic castle stands in the heart of its ancient ramparts and medieval park, which have evolved into beautifully landscaped gardens. Privately owned by the Lindsay family, descendants of the Earls of Oxford who built it, Hedingham Castle is not just one place. Romantic, exquisite, significant, magnificent and ageless, it is a haven that has had great meaning for 900 years. Its character is revered and its history is the heritage of us all.

Clare Castle Country Park is a beautiful quiet area to relax, play, get close to nature and learn about Clare's fascinating history and heritage. The park contains the remains of the 13th Century stone castle keep set upon its 60ft high motte overlooking the town and its inner and outer baileys, which are ideal areas for recreation and picnics.

Clare Castle is a high-mounted ruinous medieval castle in the parish and former manor of Clare in Suffolk, England, anciently the caput of a feudal barony. It was built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 by Richard Fitz Gilbert, having high motte and bailey and later improved in stone. The remains are a scheduled monument and a Grade II* listed building. They form the centrepiece of a public park.

Saffron Walden Museum Society is a voluntary charitable organisation that owns the museum building – thought to be one of the oldest purpose-built local museums in the country. It contains items of international relevance, as well as a wealth of local and other British objects and specimens, showing our history, culture and wildlife. this award-winning, family-friendly museum stands in an enclosed meadow beside the ruins of the 12th-century Walden Castle.

Bridge End Gardens is a group of linked ornamental gardens in Saffron Walden, Essex, England, which was created around 1840 by Francis Gibson, a local Quaker businessman. Today, traditional gardening techniques have been employed to restore the gardens to their glorious original state. There are many benches spread throughout the Garden and it is the perfect place for a summer picnic or to provide a quiet escape from modern life.

The Fry Art Gallery displays a unique collection of paintings, prints, books and ceramics showing the artistic heritage of north west Essex, featuring Edward Bawden, Eric Ravilious, Michael Rothenstein, John Aldridge, Michael Ayrton, Grayson Perry and others. The Fry Art Gallery is home to the North West Essex Collection, a set of more than 3,000 works by diverse, nationally important artists who have lived or worked in the area.

A beautiful zoo that was set in Greenland and has a large collection of wildlife ranging from Mexican red-kneed tarantulas and snakes through giant tortoises, hornbills, toucans, parrots, owls, and pheasants to beautiful snow leopards, magnificent Amur tiger, Hartmann Mountain zebra, and Brazilian tapir. Each year new species are brought in, many of them being part of an international captive breeding program. It will be a new experience visiting this zoo.

A beautiful country park which was covering 100 acres of open space the park is home to Sky Ropes, the fun, family-friendly high ropes adventure course as well as Essex’s longest kid’s play trail. It also includes giant see-saw, climbing forest, tyre swings, sandpits, rope climbers, slides, forts and a water play area, making it a great place for all ages to explore.

Audley End is a mansion with a difference. It was one of England's finest country houses which is famous for its architectural features and varied collections. More than 30 lavishly decorated rooms are open to the public, displaying in their historic context the accumulated Howard Neville and Cornwallis collections. The park was designed by Lancelot Capability Brown in 1763 It contains a circular temple and a bridge over the River Cam, designed by Robert Adam.

Marks Hall Estate is the perfect setting for family adventures with an eco-friendly twist. Managed and cared for by a charitable trust. It Set within a beautiful heritage landscape that extends to over 2,350-acres of north Essex countryside. It was one of the iconic attraction located in a beautiful area which offers you a beautiful time.

Gainsborough’s House is the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough RA and shows an outstanding collection of his work. It is now a museum and gallery, located at 46 Gainsborough Street in Sudbury, Suffolk, England. A varied programme of temporary exhibitions is also on show throughout the year. The house remained as a private residence until 1920, after which time it had various functions including a guest house and antique shop.

Mountfitchet Castle is a National Historic Monument, protected by the Department of the Environment. Within the Castle, complex is the world-famous House on the Hill Museum which offers the visitor an amazing array of over 70,000 toys from the 19th Century to the 1980s. Excellent exhibitions of World War 1 & 2 memorabilia including a Home Front/Blitz display, a Rock 'n' Roll exhibition, film, TV, and theatre.

Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village is an award winning medieval Castle and Norman Village. Within the Castle complex is the world famous House on the Hill Museum which offers the visitor an amazing array of over 70,000 toys from the 19th Century to the 1980's. Excellent exhibitions of World War 1 & 2 memorabilia including a Home Front/Blitz display, a Rock 'n' Roll exhibition, film, TV and theatre. Meet the animals that roam freely through out the 10 acre site which love to be hand fed, wander

Melford Hall is a stately home in the village of Long Melford, Suffolk, England. It is the ancestral seat of the Parker Baronets. The hall was mostly constructed in the 16th century, incorporating parts of a medieval building held by the abbots of Bury St Edmunds which had been in use since before 1065. It has similar roots to nearby Kentwell Hall. It passed from the abbots during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and was later granted by Queen Mary to Sir William Cordell.

Cressing Temple Barns is a site rich in ancient history. Built in the 13th century, the magnificent Grade I listed Barley and Wheat Barns were part of large farmstead built by the Knights Templar. It was amongst the very earliest and largest of the possessions of the Knights Templar in England,[2][3] and is currently open to the public as a visitor site.

Kentwell Hall is one of the finest moated Tudor Houses in England, set in over 25 acres of its own gardens and parkland, with numerous historic buildings. Kentwell is not just a house but a family home that has been saved and renovated over the years and offers an interesting mix of periods within what is still an essentially Tudor layout.

One of Europe's oldest timber-framed buildings which was once owned by the Cistercian monks at Coggeshall Abbey. The massive roof is supported by an elaborate system of timber posts and beams, with 6 interior bays with aisles. The roof is covered in simple red tiles made by hand. It was one of the oldest surviving iconic buildings in this area.

Hatfield Forest is a 403.2-hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Essex, three miles east of Bishop's Stortford. The Forest is an ideal place for a quiet stroll away from the main lakeside area. Wander along the main plains or head off into the trees and explore the rides. It is owned and managed by the National Trust. A medieval warren in the forest is a Scheduled Monument.

Giffords Hall is a family owned vineyard planted on the site of an ancient glacial riverbed near Long Melford in Suffolk. THeir sandy/clay soil produces quality grapes, high in natural sugars and acids, that lend themselves particularly well to both sparkling and dry, aromatic still wines. Their wines have a delicate floral character very typical of the region. Their vines’ condition is excellent because of the hard work of the professional team working at the winery.