Essex - 74 Attractions You Must Visit

Dedham Vale was designated in 1970 with the purpose of conserving and enhancing the habitats and biodiversity. It contains numerous scenes which inspired famous English artists including 19th Century landscape painter John Constable, 18th century artist Thomas Gainsborough and 20th Century equestrian artist Sir Alfred Munnings. Dedham is one of the most attractive villages in Essex, and the association with John Constable is particularly close.

The East Anglian Railway Museum, based just outside Colchester, Essex, is a Working Museum dedicated to preserving the history of railways in the Eastern Counties. The East Anglian Railway Museum is an open air site based at Chappel and Wakes Colne Railway station. The entire site forms the Museum, which is made up of Station Buildings, Signal Boxes, Goods Shed and Restoration Shed.

The Epping Ongar Railway is a preserved railway, which runs along the last section of the old Great Eastern Railway and London Underground Central line branch line. Take one seat in one of the period coaches and watch the train pass through beautiful countryside from Ongar to North Weald, from here you can catch the heritage rail shuttle which takes you through Epping Forest and so more.

The Essex Way is a long-distance footpath stretching for 82 miles right across Essex. It starts in Epping and finishes at the port of Harwich. It leads through ancient woodlands, farmland, river valleys, and green lanes and visits a number of historic towns and villages along the way. One of the beautiful locations where you can spend a nice time with your loved ones.

Firstsite is the East of England's contemporary visual arts organization. From its spectacular golden building designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, Firstsite presents a varied and challenging program of exhibitions, commissions, residencies, and screenings, in a broad range of media and art forms, by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists.

A beautiful and gently shelving sandy beach noted for its cleanliness and gentility, the area places special emphasis on the relaxed family fun at the seaside. Enjoy walks along the extensive greensward or take a short walk into the town center with its full range of shopping amenities. One of the ideal locations to relax and also you can have a bath here.

Gilwell Park, world famous home to the Scout movement, is a truly unique venue for both corporate events and private special occasions. It has been the venue for many hundreds of events ranging from Scout camps, Outdoor Education programs for schools, getaways for corporate groups and conferences.

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.

Hadleigh Castle was built about 1215 by Hubert de Burgh but extensively refortified by Edward III during the Hundred Years War, becoming a favourite residence of the ageing king. The castle stands on a bluff overlooking the Leigh Marshes and Thames estuary with a single, large 50ft tower with a 2nd tower and curtain walls about up to their full height. The remains are now preserved by English Heritage and protected under UK law as a Grade I listed building and scheduled monument.

Hadleigh Country Park in the South of Essex provides the perfect landscape for activities such as walking, cycling and even water sports in the summer months. With magnificent views, historical aspects, and one of the UK’s top mountain biking courses, Hadleigh is the ideal place to blow away the cobwebs. A good trekking destination that will rejuvenate your mind and body.

Hamford Water is a coastal bay on the Essex coast with habitats that include mudflats, marsh, and sands. The cliffs at Walton-on-the-Naze form one of the finest geological sites in Britain and for that reason are a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The coastal grasslands above the salt marshes also support one of Britain's rarest plants ' sea hog's fennel.

Hanningfield Reservoir is a 402.9 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Billericay and Chelmsford in Essex. It is owned by Essex and Suffolk Water and run by them in conjunction with the Essex Wildlife Trust. The reservoir is covered by a Bird Sanctuary Order. The Nature Discovery Centre is set in mature woodland and has proved a popular bat roost, with a beautiful carpet of Bluebells in the spring.

A majestic fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich against a Napoleonic invasion. It is 200 feet in diameter, is surrounded by a deep ditch and can only be entered by one removable drawbridge. Part of the fort is now used as a military museum and battle re-enactments and other events are held during the summer months. The fort was restored by the Harwich Society as a voluntary project.

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.

Hollytrees Museum is located in the beautiful grounds of Castle Park. This attractive Georgian town house, dating from 1718 houses the town's social history museum, showcasing three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts. This Museum provides a great insight to how life in Colchester has evolved since the house was built.

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary sits on 53 acres of beautiful countryside in the heart of Brentwood, Essex. The sanctuary currently cares for over 500 sick, unwanted, and mistreated animals. It was one of the iconic attractions in this area and attracts a lot of tourists here.

Hylands Estate is a prestigious grade II* listed public park encompassing 574 acres of historic parkland. The beautifully renovated Neo-Classical elegant villa Hylands House can be hired for any occasion including Weddings, Celebrations and Business Events and is open to the public. Since 1966 the House and its surrounding grounds have been owned and maintained by Chelmsford City Council.

The sandy beach of Jaywick lies approximately mid-way between Clacton-on-Sea and Colne Point. Whilst not quiet by any stretch of the imagination it is never as busy as Clacton. This stretch of the coastline features a number of Martello towers. These small round forts that were built during the 19th century to defend against attack from across the English Channel.

Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker is a large underground bunker used during the Cold War as a Regional Government Headquarters. Since being decommissioned in 1992, the bunker has been open to the public as a tourist attraction, with a museum focusing on its Cold War history. It was originally built for air defence but turned into a regional government headquarters as the Cold War progressed. Now open to visitors as a museum.

A statement house, of grand design, decorated with ornate terracotta, Layer Marney has been a family home for over 500 years. It was Tower was built in the 1520s by Lord Marney, friend to both Henry VII and Henry VIII. Climb the Tower for magnificent views over the River Blackwater estuary. On the way up stop off to enjoy the huge dolls’ house, built in the Georgian style, see the East Anglian art in the Batte Lay Foundation Art Exhibition and, just before you reach the top, check out the Crown