Essex - 74 Attractions You Must Visit

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.

Harlow, The Gibberd Garden is an inspirational Grade II listed garden. Designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, a leading Twentieth Century architect and Master Planner of Harlow. The garden comprises of formal lawns, streams and glades, a mature lime avenue, a wild garden with a tangle of paths, 90 artefacts and sculptures and a moated castle.

The Museum of Power is a Museum that contains a fascinating collection which ranges from a working overhead machine shop to a petrol powered iron. The jewel in our crown is the 'Lilleshall' triple expansion steam pump now back on steam after 50 years. The museum hosts major events such as the Easter Transport Fest, Classic Vehicle & Vintage Show, American Car Show, and Bike Meet, which see a large array of visiting vintage cars, motorbikes, and American and custom vehicles on display.

The Naze is a unique coastal landscape of outstanding geological and biological importance. As the most easterly peninsula in Essex it is an important site for migrating birds and boasts a number of different habitats, both terrestrial and marine. It is important for migrating birds and it has a small nature reserve.

A beautiful nature discovery centre with some fantastic walks through ancient woodland and historic deer parks which lie close alongside recently planted woodland and a landscape of small pastures. It has 500 acres of beautiful woods and parkland with meadows and ponds. It's an ideal place for family visits as well as spotting wildlife. The Childerditch area is particularly good for birds and butterflies.

Wallasea Island is a magical landscape of marshland, lagoons, ditches and sea. Much of the island is farmland, and wheat is the main crop. A small settlement at its western end is linked by road to the mainland and is home to a campsite and marina. It is linked by a ferry to Burnham-on-Crouch.

The Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence is the parish church of the town of Waltham Abbey, Essex, England. It has been a place of worship since the 7th century. The present building dates mainly from the early 12th century and is an example of Norman architecture. To the east of the existing church are traces of an enormous eastward enlargement of the building, begun following the re-foundation of the abbey in 1177.

This was once one of the largest Augustinian abbeys in the country. The remains of some of the abbey buildings can still be seen today, including the gatehouse and the passage from the cloisters to the sleeping quarters. Its beautiful rose gardens also provide plenty of benches and picnic tables to relax.

The 3rd longest pier in the UK at over half a mile long, Walton Pier is by far the longest going out into the open sea. It is ideal for sea fishing and for so many other activities. The original 150ft pier was built at Walton-on-the-Naze in 1830, one of the earliest in the country, for landing goods and passengers on steamers to Walton, a very popular holiday destination.

A beautiful white sand beach that is also home to the second-longest pier in Great Britain. As a bonus sand here is the perfect consistency for building sandcastles making it a popular choice with the kids. The beautiful Naze cliffs and national nature reserve provide the perfect opportunity for walking and bird watching.

This 25 acre reserve is the site of a house and once famous Edwardian gardens belonging to Ellen Willmott, it is now maintained as a nature reserve by Essex Wildlife Trust. Warley Place with its show of blooming spring flowers - from snowdrops to daffodils and crocuses then bluebells - is a spectacular sight to see and also you can spend some nice time in this beautiful area.

Wat Tyler Country Park is a country park located to the south of Pitsea, Essex, which was inhabited from the Bronze Age onwards and at one time was the location of the Pitsea Explosives Factory. It offers around 125 acres of country walks, wildlife spotting, adventure play for kids and some of the best business and event venues in Essex.

Weald Country Park in Brentwood, enjoy over 520 acres of woodland, lakes, hay and wildflower meadows, deer park, open grassland and spectacular views. The park started life as a medieval deer park during the 12th century and you can get up close to their resident herds of deer in the deer enclosure.

The beach is a mix of sand, stones, and shells. It can be a bit sharp on your feet but it’s not awful. Beach/water shoes may be a good idea just to make it a little more comfortable! The sea is also very shallow, making it good for little kids as it doesn’t suddenly get deep. One of the beautiful locations where you can spend a good time with your loved ones.