The Essex Portal Top 100 Things To Do in Essex

OK, over the years we have reviewed many Essex events but still many people are unsure of what Essex has to offer. To Essex Portal has decided to create a list of the 100 best things to do in Essex.

Best Things for Children

• Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers – great place to introduce kids to farm animals
• The Discovery Centre in Great Notley – Outdoor park with many climbing frames and play areas for children.
• Colne Valley Railway – Sometimes they do Thomas the Tank Engine shows, but good fun whenever it is open.
• Walton Pier – an excellent pier whcih includes Pirate Pete’s Adventureland soft play zone.

Best Things for Families

• Tropical Wings in South Woodham Ferrers – A huge collection of rare and beautiful butterflies, all flying free in a giant green house. Plus some animals outside too.
• Colchester Zoo – A great day out at one of the best zoos in the country.
• Sealife Adventure in Southend – see dolphins, sharks, seals plus many other sea creatures

Best Things for Men

• Thorndon Park Golf Club – beautiful golf course surrounded by ancient oak woodland with excellent clubhouse.
• The Great War Experience – Indoor Paintball in Great Baddow, Chelmsford

Best Things for Women

• Greenwoods Hotel, Spa and Retreat, Stock – luxury spa with many pamper weekend offers.
• Crowne Plaza Resort Colchester – another place to be pampered all weekend!

Best Beaches

• Frinton-on-Sea – excellent sandy beaches in a quiet and unspoilt town.
• Walton-on-the-Naze – more sandy beachs with a great pier for those that like some amusements
• Leigh on Sea – nice beach in south Essex. Easiest to get to on the train.
• Read our Essex beach guide.

Best Things for Tourists

• Audley End House and Park in Saffron Walden – fantastic example of a stately home
• Layer Marney Tower, near Colchester – magnificent home for home built by Henry VIII
• Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker – visit the nuclear bunker that was ready to house the government in the event of a nuclear strike.
• Hyde Hall Gardens, Rettendon – RHS gardens with tea rooms.

Best Special Weekends

• V Festival – held every August in Chelmsford’s Hylands Park, a fantastic music festival
• Southend Festival of the Air – Southend Air Show, usually in May
• Maldon Mud Race – held in the New Year, people come from all over the world to race through Maldon mud.

Best Nights Out

• The Rendezvous Casino, Southend. Spend the night drinking, eating and gambling.

Best Places to Eat

• The Blue Strawberry Bistrot, Hatfield Peveral. Great food all week.
• The Mistley Thorn, Mistley. Popular coastal inn with excellent food.
• Junipers Restaurant, Clarice House, Colchester – part of a spa, this is also one of the best restaurants in Essex.
• Crofters, Witham. An award winning wine bar in Witham with excellent food.

Best Places to Drink

• The Woolpack, Chelmsford. Voted Local Pub of the Year for 2011.
• The Viper, Mill Green, Ingatestone, CM4 0PT. Tel.  01277 352010. Excellent little pub with fine ales.
• Thatchers Arms, Mount Bures, Colchester. Won Colchester CAMRA pub of the year.
• New Bell, Harwich. Tendring’s Pub of the Year

Best Places Music Venues

• Brentwood Centre – now the most popular music venues in Essex that features many big acts. Many other major evens too.
• High Barn, Braintree & Great Dunmow. Folk, rock, acoustic and world music venue in the heart of Essex.

Best Physical Fun

• Essex Outdoor Activities – quad bikes, high ropes, archery and more. Fun for all the family.

Want to be added to the list? Get in touch today!