UNDER CONSTRUCTION| MERCIA
TOURIST BOARD ESSEX TOURIST GUIDE |
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The Kingdom of Essex: Principal Towns and Boundaries The kingdom of Essex was established as an independent Saxon Kingdom in 527. The principal towns in the kingdom were:
The Kingdom covered the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex. The kingdom was bounded by:
The original population was made up of Germanic Jutes and Celtic Britons in equal proportions. The first king of Essex was Aescwine 527 - 587. Essex remained a kingdom until 812, when it became subordinate to Wessex. The Saxon peoples that were part of the Kingdom of Essex were:
The Kingdom of Essex: A History The establishment of the kingdom was by Aescwine in 527; the capital was London and the Royal palace was near what is now called Cripplegate. King
Saebert established the kingdom's first monastery in 606 in the area of
St Paul's, the church (site) surviving the monastery. He was killed in
a battle against the forces of King Cynegils of Wessex in 617, and is
reported to have been buried in Westminster Abbey Church which was also founded by
King Saebert.
This may not be the end of the story. In 2003 a Royal Saxon burial was discovered near Southend. It was in the village of Prittlewell, 39 miles south-east of London. Near the Saxon church of Saint Mary's there was a burial in a four-metre square, timber-lined chamber, originally covered with a barrow mound. Buried in a pagan style, the fact that the man was a Christian was shown by the two gold crosses on the body. It is speculated the grave could be that of King Saebert. The first documentary evidence of the Kingdom of Essex is in the Venerable Bede's work the Ecclesiastical History of the English People written in 672. In this he noted the establishment of the Bishopric of London in 602, and the first Post-Augustinian Bishop Mellitus. |
The Kingdom of Essex prospered until the reign of King Sigeric 758 - 798. He abdicated in 798, in favour of King Sigered. Shortly after this the Kingdom of Essex was annexed by the Mercian King Beornwulf. In 812, Sigered of Essex was demoted from a king to a duke by his Mercian overlords. The Mercian control of Essex was short and was ended when King Ecgbert of Wessex defeated the Mercian forces at the Battle of Ellendun in 825, and Beornwulf himself was killed while dealing with a rebellion in East Anglia. In 870, King Alfred of Wessex entered into a treaty with the Danish King Guthrum. As part of the settlement of this (the Treaty of Wedmore), much of the territory that was the Kingdom of the Essex was given to the Danes as part of the Danelaw. The Kings of Essex
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![]() Brythnoth of Essex, Man of Valor
An Example Of Bravery Against The Vikings © Anastacia
Prisbrey Mar 27, 2008
Fight or Flight, every man faces it in his lifetime. In that choice we define the rest of our lives. For Brythnoth that moment was 993 AD, against the Vikings. The Long Serpent made it's appearance over the horizon despite the prayers of the British, on the Essex Coast, “Save us, O Lord, from the fury of the Northmen!” A prospering country, divided into tiny kingdoms that were undermanned and under defended, stood a ready prey for the Vikings of the 10th Century. Already a victim of raiding Northmen, the forays into Britain's coast had increased both in number and intensity. The people fearing not only for their lives and their country, had sacrificed enough gold, food, and men to last a lifetime. It was time to stand against the Sea Dragons, or War Wolves. It was the year 993 AD, and this resounding defeat at the Battle of Maldon, resonates down to our day for it's meaning of what men everywhere consider to be their greatest possession, their freedom to live in peace and follow the dictates of their conscience. It began that morning with the arrival of just under a hundred Viking ships. The day erupted with decorous threats from the Vikings. “Swift striking seamen...bid me say...send them rings and bracelets...rather than engage us in cruel combat...we offer a truce in exchange for gold! ...Render to the Vikings what they think is right...and we will... hold you as friends.” Friends indeed! Brythnoth, the Earl of Essex, was ready to defend his land to the last man. Being of Viking descent himself, he called back to those “Sea Wolves” with these words. “Hear Sea Wanderer what this nation says. These men will give you spears as tribute...it would be a pity if you were to take our riches without a fight...first point and edge will sort things out between us!” In October 2006, a new statue of Brithnoth was erected in Maldon on a site at the end of the Promenade looking down the river estuary towards the nearby battle site. The statue is very impressive being nine feet high and cast in bronze. Not only is it an attraction for visitors enjoying the Promenade on foot, but also makes a notable landmark for those in boats navigating the River Blackwater into Maldon. |
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Braintree
Tourist Information Centre |
Town Hall, Market Place, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3YG Tel: +44 1376 550066 Fax:+44 1376 344345 Email: tic@braintree.gov.uk Open throughout the year: Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 4pm |
http://www.enjoybraintreedistrict.co.uk/ Around-the-District.aspx |
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Chelmsford
Tourist Information Centre |
County
Hall, Market Rd, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GG Tel: +44 (01255) 686633 Fax: +44 (01255) 686412 E-mail: emorgan@tendringdc.gov.uk |
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| Clacton
Tourist Information Centre |
Town Hall, Station Road,
Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1SE |
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Colchester
Visitor Information Centre |
1
Queen St, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PG Tel: +44 1206 282920 Fax: +44 1206 282924 Email: vic@colchester.gov.uk |
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Harwich
Tourist information Centre |
Iconfield
Park, Harwich, Essex, CO12 4EN
Tel: +44 1255 506139 Fax: +44 1255 240570 |
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Maldon
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Coach Lane, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4UH |
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Saffron
Walden
Tourist Information Centre |
1 Market Place, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1HR Tel: +44 1799 510444 |
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| Southend
Tourist Information Centre |
19
High Street, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1JE Tel: +44 1702 215120 Fax: +44 1702 431449 |
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| Waltham Abbey Tourist Info Centre | 2-4
Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex Tel: 01992 652295 Email: tic@walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk Open all the time April to October: Monday to Sunday, 1000-1600. November to March: Monday to Saturday, 1000-1600; closed on Sunday. |
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| Witham Tourist Information Centre | Town
Hall, 61 Newland Street, Witham, Essex Tel: 01376 502674 Email: ticwitham@braintree.gov.uk Open all the time Monday to Thursday, 0900-1230 and 1300-1630. Friday 0900-1230 and 1300-1600. Closed Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. |
ATTRACTION |
PICTURE | ADDRESS & CLICK | Tel NO | ||||
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T .
was designated as a new
town after World War II in 1948 to accommodate the London population
overspill, created from the conglomeration of four small villages,
namely Pitsea, Laindon, Basildon and Vange. Basildon celebrated its
60th birthday in 2009. For the 60th birthday celebrations, planning was
approved for a £35 million pound casino and hotel complex. That
is why now driving in to Basildon there are signs up welcoming you to
BASVEGAS. Put up by the construction company to subdue community fears
about such a big project coming to Basildon. |
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Festival Leisure Park Basildon Essex
Plenty of
parking and good access ensures Festival Leisure will provide a perfect
skating home for this winter. With plenty of restaurants to choose from
the leisure park provides a fantastic family day out for all.
This year the ice rink and its facilities are covered by a fantastic marquee allowing skating whatever the weather. On good days the sides can be taken down.
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Festival Leisure Park Festival Way Basildon Essex SS14 3BW BASILDON ICE RINK CLICK |
Tel: 01268 764437 | ||||
Essex Horse & Pony Protection SocietyThe Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society has been
fighting equine cruelty across the County for the past twenty years.
Our policy is to rescue, rehabilitate and, where possible, rehome
horses and ponies under our Fostering Scheme. Every horse
re-homed in this way creates a space for another needy case to be
admitted into our care. |
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Pitsea
Hall Lane, Pitsea, Essex, SS16 4UH Email: administrator@ehpps.org.uk ESSEX HORSE & PONY CLICK |
Tel: 01268 584603 | ||||
| Glide3 Hovercraft Experience Get your adrenaline rush
here…Fly your own luxury hovercraft! |
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Basildon Essex HOVERCRAFT CLICK |
tel: 0845 226 0748 | ||||
| Langdon Hills
Nature Trail Langdon Visitor
Centre
Langdon visitor centre is found on Lower Dunton
Road, 2 miles south of A127, west of Basildon Town Centre. Bus services
operate from Basildon town centre to Laindon BR station (on the
Fenchurch Street to Southend line) less than 1/2 mile from the reserve
and to Langdon Hills. Langdon visitor centre is set in a stunning
nature reserve of 461 acres which comprises of woodland, meadows, lakes
and former plotland gardens. There are beautiful wildlife gardens
at the back of the visitor centre and a museum of Plotland Life.
The nature reserve offers some stunning wildlife and a history of
the plotland way of life. The Langdon visitor centre has a display
room, gift and bookshop, and refreshments. A full schools programme is
available. Toilet facilities, including disabled. Nearby is The Haven
Plotland Museum, a 1930's bungalow, ideal for a trip down memory lane.
The Langdon nature reserve is the largest inland reserve managed by
Essex Wildife Trust. The nature reserve occupies some of the
highest land in the county, has some commanding views and offers miles
of excellent walks, where an abundance of wildlife can be enjoyed. In
the summer there is the opportunity to enjoy Turtle Doves, Nightingales
and Woodcock, while in the winter thrushes and finches can be
enjoyed. There are thirty butterfly species at Langdon including
White Admiral, Green Hairstreak, Marbled White and Grizzled Skipper,
making this a spectacular reserve for butterflies in Essex.
Langdon also offers seven species of wild orchids in bloom in Many and
June. Over 350 wild flowering plants have been
recorded. Badgers, Foxes and Weasels all thrive in the
meadows. The nature reserve offers walks through many different
areas and habitats and can offer the visitor a really interesting day
out. |
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Langdon Visitor Centre 3rd Avenue, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, Essex SS16 6EB Grid ref: TQ 659 875 Opening: Daily, except Mondays, 9am-5pm Map ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST CLICK |
Tel : 01268 419103 | ||||
| Motorboat Museum This
museum has been the world’s greatest
authority on sports and leisure motorboats since it was opened in 1986.
Most people do not know, but the majority of the greatest innovations
in motor boating that took place in the 20th Century, took place in
this country. This museum carries a large and detailed collection of
boats and related materials that tell this story.
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Wat
Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Basildon, Essex SS16 4UH Map E-mail Motorboat Museum Motorboat Museum Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1268 550077 | ||||
| One Tree Hill The Country Park
at One Tree Hill has a rich abundance of trees,
grassland meadows, scrubland, wood carvings, information room and much
more in an area in combination with
Westley Heights of around 400 acres. Though not as high as Westley
Heights the views across Corringham, Fobbing and the River
Thames are no less impressive. Managed by
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Thurrock Council. Langdon Hills Country Park One Tree Hill Corringham SS17 9NH LANGDON HILLS CLICK |
tel: 01268 542066 | ||||
| Warren Lodge
Rabbit Rescue Warren Lodge is a
sanctuary for rabbits, horses, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs. As well as
offering support and advice about caring for your pets, they host fund
raising events throughout the year to help finance looking after
abandoned and abused animals, including an Easter bunny day, family fun
day and a Xmas bazaar. They have a weekly market stall and twice weekly
boot sale to raise funds for their cause.
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Osborne
Road, off Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, Essex SS13 2LG Map E-mail Warren Lodge Rabbit Rescue Warren Lodge Rabbit Rescue Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1268 727016 | ||||
| Wat Tyler
Country Park Located
within sight and sound of the coast, Wat Tyler Country Park is a happy
combination of family attractions and wide open spaces. Youngsters will
enjoy the state-of-the art adventure play area, together with Go
Bonkers with its range of giant inflatables to climb and bounce on
(separate charge applicable). There's also the new-look miniature
railway and the nationally important collection in the Motor Boat
Museum, as well as a model boating lake beside the museum for radio
control enthusiasts.Wat Tyler Country Park sits within the South Essex
Marshes which are steeped in history from the earliest periods – a
landscape created over many centuries through the interaction of human
communities and the natural environment.
The Park shares the historical significance of the surrounding marsh area but it has a significant history in its own right.The features of its landscape such as grazing meadows, ancient hedgerows, blast mounds, tidal waterways, sea walls and field boundaries are evidence of the way people used the area. There are also structures such as pill boxes, roadways, MoD buildings that all provide an insight into the history of the Park. |
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Pitsea Hall Lane Pitsea Basildon SS16 4UH WAT TYLER COUNTRY PARK CLICK |
tel: 01268 550088 | ||||
| Westley Heights Enjoy a visit to
the Langdon Hills Country Park. With panoramic views
of the surrounding countryside, seen from the second highest point
in the county of Essex, this is a very popular destination for lovers
of the countryside. Managed by Thurrock Council.
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Westley Heights Country Park Langdon Hills, Essex, SS16 6HP LANGDON HILLS CLICK |
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| Billericay Some of the earliest records of human occupation of
Billericay are the burial mounds in Norsey Wood: evidence of occupation
in the Bronze and Iron Ages. Evidence of Roman occupation has been
found at a number of locations in the town and there may have been a
small cavalry fort at Blunts Wall.
The Saxons did not settle in the centre of Billericay. They established themselves two miles south, at Great Burstead. In the late 10th century it was known as 'Burhstede'. Billericay was not mentioned in the Domesday Book, as it lay within Great Burstead. At this time the parish church for Billericay was at Great Burstead. In 1291 the name 'Byllyrica' is first recorded.In the 13th and 14th centuries some pilgrims to Canterbury journeyed via Billericay. Some of them may have spent the night in Billericay before crossing the River Thames at Tilbury. This may account for the large number of inns in the town. Billericay's most notable historical episode was on the 28th June 1381, when King Richard II's soldiers defeated Essex rebels at Norsey Wood. About 500 rebels were killed in the battle, which ended the Peasants' Revolt. The Wycliffe preachers influenced the town. Four local people (Thomas Watts, Joan Hornes, Elizabeth Thackwell, and Margaret Ellis) were burnt at the stake. Two other residents (Joan Potter and James Harris) were tortured for their faith during the reign of Queen Mary.Among the 102 passengers who boarded The Mayflower at Plymouth on 6 September 1620 was Christopher Martin, the ship's provisioner. Previously serving as churchwarden at Great Burstead's St Mary Magdalene's Church, he and Marie Prower married there in 1607. He is believed to have owned the Chantry House at 61 High Street, Billericay, where the emigrants prayed on the evening before the start of their epic journey on the Mayflower. Billerica in Massachusetts was established in 1655 and is now twinned with Billericay, Essex. |
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Town
Council The Loft, Crown Yard, High Street, Billericay, CM12 9BX |
Tel : 01277 625732 | ||||
| Barleylands Barleylands Craft Village and Farm Centre. Annual Essex County Show steam rally and regular Sunday bootfair. THE CRAFT VILLAGE houses
probably the largest collection of working crafts in East Anglia. Visit
60 impressive, individual, specialist workshops and watch the
various artisans at work producing their original and unusual gifts
before your very eyes. Whatever the celebration, you will be sure to
find that special gift. You can also arrange an individually
commissioned item in many of the workshops. Come along, and our
craftsmen and women will be only too happy to help. Free Entry
except on the weekend of the Essex Country Show in September where you
will have to pay an entrance fee. RELAX in the
beautifully landscaped and paved courtyards, order a tea and cake from
the Hive Restaurant, light lunches and refreshments
are also available all day. VISIT our impressive
purpose built Glassworks with viewing gallery, where
you can watch the glass blowers at work. Glassblowers
James Watts and Bill Rhodes have been hand blowing fine glassware here
at Barleylands since 1996. They
produce the glass trophy for The Artois Tennis Championships at Queens
and were commissioned to replace the Vicorian street lights outside
Buckingham Palace. Their award winning service of making cremated ashes
into glass has now given them National Recognition.They
regularly open their workshop for visitors to come along and have a go
at the fascinating art. Barleylands Farm
Centre is accessed from our large, free car park. Children of
all ages can meet and feed our friendly farm animals, ride the mini
tractors around the farm and let off steam in the adventure play
area. Come along and visit Sam the ferret, cuddle a rabbit in the
bunny barn and see if the ducks and geese are visiting our pond. The
Mniature Train runs seven days a week seasonally. Shady picnic
areas can be found in our Spinney Walk or enjoy your picnic in the
sunshine at the Adventure Playground, beside Reception, near the
Wishing Well or in the Craft Village. Since
Darren Bennet established The Magic Mushroom
in 1996, he has earned a reputation as one of the leading chefs in the
area He
offers a contemporary menu with a traditional influence, with
ingredients, sourced locally and organic where possible. In short,
first class food, freshly cooked and served in a relaxed atmosphere!
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Barleylands
Road Billericay CM11 2UD Map *Boot fair access via A129 Southend Road.
The following are open all year round. Before embarking on your journey, please contact the individual businesses regarding their specific opening days and times. Craft Village, closed Mondays (Rental Enquiries 01268 290226)Farm Centre (01268 290229) The Hive Restaurant (01268 525727) Farm Shop (01268 288886) Farmers Market (01268 290218) Magic Mushroom Restaurant (01268 289963) BARLEYLANDS CLICK |
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| Cater Museum The Cater Museum houses
many artifacts of Billericay and contains a lot of local information.
The 18th to 19th century red brick building is tiled and has dormer windows, one of which depicts the war time practice of applying tape to reduce flying glass. The centre window of the first floor is bricked up - this is a reminder of the window tax. Within the three floor building you will find a mid Victorian parlour, bedroom and kitchen, as well as a World War II exhibition. |
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74
High Street, Billericay, CM11 2AA CATER MUSEUM CLICK |
tel:
01277 622023 |
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| Hanningfield
Reservoir Visitor Centre The
nature reserve covers 100 acres on the
shore of Hanningfield Reservoir, with the visitor centre giving
uninterrupted views of the southern end. Due to it’s wildfowl
population, the reservoir is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Visitor centre facilities include an education room, refreshments and
toilets. It also stocks a wide range of gifts, binoculars, telescopes
and natural history books. There is full disabled access to the centre
and bird hide. We offer a range of activities for children and adults.
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Hawkswood
Road, Downham, Billericay, Essex CM11 1NT Map E-mail Hanningfield Reservoir Centre Hanningfield Reservoir Centre Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1268 711001 | ||||
| Braintree The origin of the name Braintree is obscure. It is
believed by some scholars that the name of the River Brain came later,
and so was named after the town, rather than the other way round. One
theory is that Braintree was originally Branoc's tree, Branoc
apparently being an old personal name. Another theory is that the name
is derived from that of Rayne, which was actually a more important
settlement in Norman times. Braintree was called Branchetreu in the
Domesday Book. Other scholars say the "Brain" element in the word is
accepted to be derived from "Brid/ Brigantia/ Bride/ Bigit/ Britain".
This is the ancient Celtic, and possibly pre-Celtic, name for the
Goddess of the land of Britain. She is the reason the Romans called
these islands "Britannia". She was worshipped all across the North of
Britain in Roman times. The River Braint in Anglesey is another one of
these names. "Tree" comes from the Saxon suffix, more usually spelt
"try", denoting a big village. In many early American Colonial
documents, it is referred to as Branktry. The perhaps most convincing
theory, the 'Theory of the Walnuts' suggests that the town, or the
river, got its name 'brain' from the abundance of walnut trees growing
in the area.
Braintree dates back over 4,000 years when it was just a small village. When the Romans invaded, they built two roads; a settlement developed at the junction of these two roads but was later abandoned when the Romans left Britain. The town was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1085 when it was called Branchetreu and consisted of 30 acres in the possession of Richard, son of Count Gilbert. Pilgrims used the town as a stop-over, the size of the town increased and the Bishop of London obtained a market charter for the town in 1190.[ The town prospered from the 1600s when Flemish immigrants made the town famous for its wool cloth trade. In 1665, the Great Plague killed 865 of the population of just 2,300 people. The wool trade died out in the early 1800s and Braintree became a centre for silk manufacturing when George Courtauld opened a silk mill in the town. By the mid 1800s, Braintree was a thriving agricultural and textile town, and benefitted from a railway connection to London. The wealthy Courtauld family had a strong influence on the town, supporting plans for many of the town's public buildings such as the Town Hall and public gardens established in 1888. In 1632, a group of religious dissenters known as the Braintree Company sailed on "The Lyon". They settled initially at Mount Wollaston, later renamed Braintree in memory of their home-town. John Bridges, a Braintree resident, founded the school that developed into Harvard University. The ancestor of John Adams, second president, sailed on "The Lyon". John Adam's son John Quincy Adams became sixth president. Further information on "The Lyon" detailing passengers is at Braintree District Museum. |
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![]() Braintree
Town Hall, Market
Place, Braintree, Essex, CM7 3YG Tourist Information Centre Email: tic@braintree.gov.uk Open throughout the year: Braintree Town Football Club Notley High School Braintree District Council Transport Strategy for North Essex The daysoff Guide to Braintree Links to pages on its history, geography, and other subjects Freeport Braintree website Website of the Friends of Bocking Blackwater group 2nd Braintree & Bocking Scout Group Tabor Science College website Thisisessex Website containing the latest Essex news Braintree College's official website Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust Braintree and Bocking Carnival Braintree Bowmen Archery Club Braintree Rivers Rotary Club Lions Club of Braintree Braintree Town Netball Club Blackwater Valley Action Group Braintree Theatre School Website |
Tel: +44 1376 550066 Fax:+44 1376 344345 | ||||
| Bardfield
Cage The
Cage is a nineteenth century lock up that held drunks and other minor
criminals until they were brought before a magistrate. The date 1815 is
on the door. Unusually this lock up has two cells, possibly one for men
and one for women.
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Bridge
Street Great Bardfield Braintree Essex CM7 4RH map Open 1400 to 1730, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from Easter to the end of September. |
Tel 01371 810516 | |||||
| Bardfield
Vineyard Near Fichingfield, in
Great Bardfield, groups can visit the Bardfield Vineyard. Once in the
ownership of Anne of Cleves, the present vineyard was planted in 1990
and groups have the opportunity of having a guided tour of the vineyard
and walled garden, which ends in a complimentary tasting. Group
catering can also be arranged at the Vineyard.
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Great
Lodge Great Bardfield Braintree Essex CM7 4QD map |
Tel:
+44 (0) 1371 810776 Fax: +44 (0) 1371 811398 |
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| Bardfield ‘Gibraltar’ Tower This
fine tower mill is probably the oldest (c 1660) in Essex. The tower
itself has a very steep steps and is unusual in that although having an
octagonal base with chamfered corners, it becomes sixteen-sided half
way up and is round at the top.
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| The Blue
Egg – Great Bardfield An
organic farm shop with a difference, enjoy meeting
the animals
and walking around the fields on the marked farm trails,
childrens play
area, coffee shop with license to sell locally produced beers and
events held throughout the year. Watch out for the chickens
laying the
blue eggs!!
Open daily. |
www.theblueegg.co.uk |
Tel 01371 811716 | |||||
| Bocking Windmill Situated
two miles from the town of Braintree,
this former working postmill was built around 1721 and was moved in the
1830s as buildings were constructed near by and shielded it from the
wind. It was restored in 1994 and there is a society known as “the
friends of Bocking windmill” that work with the council to promote the
windmill and ensure its preservation. It is one of the only grade 1
listed Windmills in Essex and is complete both internally and
externally. It still has a lot of original equipment and homes a small
collection of historical agricultural items. It is open to the public
during the summer months.
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Church
Street, Bocking, Nr. Braintree, Essex CM7 5LQ Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 341339 | ||||
| Braintree
District Museum Visitors
to this museum will be treated to an
excellent collection that brings together a great deal of artefacts,
documents and antiques from Braintree’s history. Some of the highlights
in the collection include a Stone Age hand axe that was discovered as
part of the extensive archaeological digs that have been made in the
region, as well as many pieces that formed part of the Roman town.
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Market
Place, Braintree, Essex CM7 3YG Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 325266 | |||||
| Braintree
Fountain Probably
Braintree’s most noted landmark, and
certainly one of the most photographed, is a bronze fountain of a young
boy holding a shell with sea lions around the base. George Bartram
purchased the plot of land where this fountain now stands in the 1930s,
as he was concerned that the view of the church (which now stands
behind it) was obscured by derelict buildings. In 1937 Sir W.J.
Coultauld commissioned the famous sculptor John Hodge to create the
fountain and its surrounding square in memory of King George V.
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The
High Street, Braintree, Essex CM7 1JZ Map |
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| Braintree
Freeport This
large designer outlet offers discounts on
designer brand names including Versace, Burberry, FCUK, Proibito,
Amanda Wakeley, Karen Millen, Lacoste, Jaeger, Nike, Bose and Le
Creuset to name but a few. It is situated just outside Braintree town
centre, with a free bus available, which runs daily from the bus
station. It has ample parking and its own train station (Braintree
Freeport). There are also many other facilities close to it including
cineworld, a number ten bowling centre, a Dansk outlet and several
restaurants.
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Charter
Way, Chapel Hill, Braintree, Essex CM77 8YH Map Braintree Freeport Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 348867 | ||||
| Braintree
Skatepark Launched
in 2003, and based just outside
Braintree town centre, Braintree skatepark is suitable for both Skate
boarders and BMX bikers alike and can be used free of charge. It houses
the following facilities: a driveway with rail and a jumpbox side by
side, two quarter pipes with a flatbank in the middle, a double rail
and grind box, and a spine run. It is based in Weavers Park which has
plenty of seating. Weavers Park itself often houses various events
including concerts, the Braintree youth festival and book auctions.
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Weavers
Park, off Coggeshall Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 348867 | ||||
| Braintree
Town Hall Sir
W.J.Coultauld presented this Grade 2
listed, neo- Georgian building with unique wood paneling and beautiful
murals hanging throughout, to the town of Braintree in 1928. It was at
the heart of local administration for around 40 years and is situated
in “market square”, which dates back around 1120. As well as housing
tourist information for the village, it functions as an art gallery,
showing exhibitions of work from regional and local artists.
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Market
Square, Braintree, Essex CM7 3YG Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 557776 | ||||
| Braintree
and Bocking Public Gardens Sidney
Courtauld donated the Braintree and
Bocking Public Gardens to the people of Braintree in 1888. The gardens,
which once belonged to his house, have many features including a war
memorial, a bandstand, two tennis courts, a large wildlife area (which
is home to many birds and squirrels) a large pond and a play area for
the under 12’s. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon out with features that
will suit the whole family.
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43
Bocking End, Braintree, Essex CM7 9AE Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 328714 | ||||
| Cottage
Museum Recently
renovated and refurbished 16th century charity almshouse housing
village museum collection of farming and domestic artefacts. Rural
crafts of straw plaiting and corn dolly making are explained and a
display features the celebrated Great Bardfield artists of the 20th
Century. Also newly designed 16th century bower garden.
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Dunmow
Road Great Bardfield Braintree Essex CM7 4SB map Open 1400 to 1700 Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays from Easter - End September, other times by appointment. COTTAGE MUSEUM CLICK |
Tel 01371 810919 | ||||
| Cressing
Temple Barns This site dating from
the 12th century consists of a number of buildings including two of the
oldest timber-framed barns in Europe and has it's own free car park.
This rear view of the Cart Lodge, just one of the buildings, is the
first you'll see when you pass through the Visitor Centre entrance. It
was built in the latter half of the 18th century. The Wheelwright's
Shop, the Old Forge and the Stables can be accessed near here.
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Witham
Road Cressing Braintree Essex CM77 8PD map |
Tel:
+44 (0) 1376 584903 Fax: +44 (0) 1376 584864 |
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| Crazy Kids Based
near Braintree Freeport, this is one of
the biggest play areas in Essex and boasts a climbing wall, lazer
quest, surf board simulator as well as two large play areas (one for
under 4s, the other for age 12 and under) these include multi-floored
frames with slides, swings, punch-bags, chutes, ball pits, console
video games and a merry-go round. It’s air-conditioned and has a safe,
controlled environment, which is well monitored and has a large video
screen so parents can watch their children at play from the comfort of
the seating/ dining area. The venue also offers themed children’s
private parties that are catered to suit pacific ages groups, with
activities, goodie bags and party food supplied (you can choose between
several menus). Age and height restrictions apply.
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Units
18 – 12, Century Drive, off charter way, Braintree, Essex CM7 8YH Map Crazy Kids Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 348867 | ||||
| Dorewards
Hall Dorewards
Hall has a few animals to visit,
including lambs, geese and horses. They have event days throughout the
year which can be seen on their website, including scarecrow making,
horse and dog shows and Halloween week when they have pumpkin carving
and festival and children’s parties. The location also offers a caravan
site over two fields (a 5 van site and a rally field) as well as
fishing facilities, a plant centre and a farm shop offering fresh
produce.
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Bocking,
Braintree, Essex Map E-mail Dorewards Hall Dorewards Hall Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 324646 | ||||
| Finchingfield
Guildhall and Heritage Centre Local heritage centre housed in 15th
century guildhall. Exhibitions of
artwork, paintings, pottery, sewing and weaving. Historic paintings,
maps and photographs.
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Church Hill Finchingfield Braintree Essex CM7 map |
Tel: +44 (0) 1371 - 810456 | ||||
| Finchingfield
Windmill This
is a splendid example of an early post
mill; historians believe that it probably dates back to the mid to late
1700s. There are thought to have once been as many as eight windmills
in the parish of Finchingfield, but this is the only example to survive
today. It has four spring sails, one pair of millstones and a tailpole.
It is open to the public for a few summer months, usually from August
to September.
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Haverhill
Road, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex CM7 Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1621 828162 | ||||
| Finchingfield
Green The
picture postcard Finchingfield Green has
many features and activities that are perfect for a summer’s day; these
include a large duck pond home to various wildlife, timber-framed
Georgian and Medieval shops, houses and cottages scattered around the
edge of the green, and a war memorial. The green leads into surrounding
fields with an idealistic walk that will take you through
Finchingfield’s beautiful countryside, past the river pant, a mill and
into small belts of woodland. Finchingfield itself is rumoured to be
“the most photographed village in England”.
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The
Green, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex CM7 4JS Map |
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| Gosfield Lake Resort A family run Leisure
Park set in the heart of rural Essex. The 36-acre lake provides a
natural beauty spot, where clear summer evenings give way to
spectacular sunsets. Activities on site include fishing, camping and
waterskiing, as we as a large lakeside picnic area, there is an onsite
café and Indian restaurant, and Camping is available.
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CHURCH ROAD, GOSFIELD HALSTEAD, ESSEX, CO9 1UD Open 0930 – Dusk, April - October GOSFIELD LAKE CLICK |
Tel 01787 475043 | ||||
| Kozmic
Karts Based
near Braintree Freeport and just fifteen
minutes drive from Braintree town centre, Kozmic Karts has around 290
metres of track, which currently makes it the longest indoor karting
centre in the whole of North Essex. It offers numerous packages
including endurance racing, track hire, corporate packages and even
junior sessions for ages 8 upwards, and has a function room and
catering facilities. It is a popular destination for hen/stag parties,
adults/childrens birthdays and corporate events and they have trained
staff that can organise a race format to suit any requirements.
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14-16
Century Drive, Braintree, Essex CM77 8YL Map Kozmic Karts Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 348867 | ||||
| The
Original Great Maze The
Original Great Maze returns with an
aMAZing new adventure. Weave your way through miles of winding maize
pathways, keeping a sharp eye out for lost animals on your way, to
finally conquer this year’s amazing maze. The challenge is on! When you
have conquered the maze, why not take a look around the Blake House
Craft Centre, visit the restaurant, or challenge friends to a game of
crazy golf. Come and ‘get lost’ for a fun family day out, whatever the
weather.
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Blake
House Craft Centre, Blake End, Near Braintree, Essex CM77 6RA Map E-mail The Original Great Maze The Original Great Maze Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 553146 | ||||
| Rayne Station
Centre Rayne
Railway Station was built in 1866 and was one of the busiest on the
line, until it closed to passengers in 1952. Renovated in 1994 it is
now the Visitor Centre and Ranger base for the Flitch Way. The rich
heritage of the Flitch Way is revealed in the Exhibition.
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Rayne
Station Centre Station Road Rayne, Braintree Essex CM77 6RX map Open 1300 to 1600 Sundays’ exhibition only. Booking Hall and Public Toilets open daily. RAYNE CENTRE CLICK |
Tel:
+44 (0) 1376 340262 Fax: +44 (0) 1376 340262 |
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| Roundwood
Garden Centre – Bocking Set
in 5 acres, Roundwoods has many facilities including an arboretum, tea
garden, drought garden, café, home cooking, craft area,
childrens play
area and conference room. There is a large car park and excellent
facilities for the disabled.
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Bocking
Church Street, Bocking, Essex, CM7 5LJ Open 0915 to 1700, Monday – Friday and Sunday’s in May for plant sales. ROUNDWOOD CLICK |
Tel 01376 551728 | ||||
| Saint
Michaels Church Saint
Michaels is a beautiful, small church
located in the heart of Braintree town. It is believed to date back to
around 1199 and is noted by historians for its original central chancel
window. The spire is around 120 ft high and the original bell for the
clock still exists to this day. The Church of England, church has
strong links with St Michaels School and is active in serving the wider
community and offers wedding services and baptisms.
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The
High Street, Braintree, Essex CM7 1JZ Map Saint Michaels Church Web site |
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| Sioux Ceramics
Café Paint your own
pottery ornaments, trinkets, mugs, plates or bowls. Tea’s, coffee and
cold drinks available, ideal for parties.
|
Victoria
St Braintree, CM7 3HN Open daily, please check website to confirm times Email: chris@siouxceramics.com SIOUX CERAMICS CLICK |
tel: 01376 349700 | |||||
| Threads
of Time The
Threads of Time museum demonstrates how
people in the Braintree District developed ideas which shaped the
fabric production of the 20th Century. The gallery exhibits fabrics
created for State occasions from the past 200 years and include a local
history library, research facilities with a reserve textile collection
(by appointment) guided tours on textiles (also by appointment),
refreshments and the ’Victorian classroom’ experience where school
groups can dress in Victorian clothing and participate in talks and
object handling.
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Manor
Street, Braintree, Essex CM7 3HW Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 325266 | ||||
| Towerlands Park
– Bocking Towerlands
Park leads the way for top equestrian facilities in the country with
two fully equipped yards and an international size arena. Unex
Towerlands has facilities for exhibitions, conferences, dinners and
many other leisure activities. A major refurbishment programme is
underway to transform The Unex Towerlands Centre into a sporting and
leisure venue fit for the 21st century. Unex Towerlands also holds a
number of gigs and concerts throughout the year.
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Towerlands Park
Ltd, Panfield Road, Braintree, Essex, CM7 5BJ Open Daily www.unextowerlands.com |
Tel 01376 326802 | ||||
| Warner Textile
Archive The
Warner Textile Archive is located at
Warner’s Mill and is of national importance in this field of study. The
archive holds a unique record of the history of textile manufacture in
this area since the 18th Century. There are examples of woven and
printed fabrics by the Warner Company as well as examples by other
manufacturers. The centre offers a fun and fascinating day out for all
the family.
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Warners
Mill, Silks Way, Braintree, Essex CM7 3GB Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 557803 | ||||
| Brentwood Brentwood is a suburban
town with a small, but expanding, shopping area and high street. Beyond
this is extensive sprawling residential development entirely surrounded
by open countryside and woodland; some penetrating to within only a few
hundred yards of the town centre. It is perhaps most widely known for
Brentwood School and for several businesses based in the town.
The name derives from a corruption of the words 'Burnt Wood', with the name Burntwood still visible on some old maps. The old name describes the presumed reason for settlement in the part of the Forest of Essex (later Epping Forest) that would have covered the area. Although a Bronze Age axe has been found in Brentwood and there are clear signs of an entrenched encampment in Weald Country Park it is considered unlikely that there was any significant early settlement of the area which was originally covered by the Great Forest covering most of Essex at that time. Brentwood began as a small clearing in the middle of a forest, created by fire, with the name of 'Burntwood'. A few people began to settle there and, because it was on the crossroads of the old Roman road from Colchester to London and the route the pilgrims took over the Thames to Canterbury , it grew into a small town. In 1227 a market charter was granted, and this helped the town to continue growing. As the Roman road grew busier, Brentwood became a major coaching stage, with plenty of inns for overnight accommodation as the horses were rested. This hasn't changed; there is an above average number of pubs in the area - possibly due to the army being stationed at Warley Barracks in the town (closed down in the 1960s). Some of the pubs date back to the 15th and 16th Centuries. As the railways arrived in 1840, the short journey to London Liverpool Street station made it easy for workers to live in Brentwood and commute into work. Many new houses were built around the station at around this time - nearly half of all Brentwood residents still commute outside the area to work.President Eisenhower initiated the Sister City Programme in the USA during WWII. From this, grew Sister Cities linking US communities with towns throughout the world. Their objective is to learn about each other's culture, develop meaningful and lasting relationships and exchange ideas on a long-term basis. Brentwood became linked in March 1985 with Brentwood, Tennessee, and enjoys student exchanges to the mutual benefit of both American and English communities. |
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| Brentwood Centre Welcome to the Brentwood
Centre where a world of sport and entertainment awaits you. Step
into a first-class sporting arena which boasts “Something for
Everyone”. Classes, courses and clubs are led by highly
trained staff who aim to encourage and inspire you - whatever your age
or ability. Swimming, Aerobics, Badminton, Squash,
Tennis, 7-a-side Football, High-tech gym equipment... the list is
endless.
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Doddinghurst Road Brentwood Essex CM15 9NN BRENTWOOD CENTRE CLICK |
Tel : 01277 215151 | ||||
| Brentwood Museum Brentwood
in Essex is a town that has an
interesting history, and this area of the country has been noted for
having a great deal of Roman influence in the past. The museum
therefore contains a large and fascinating collection of archaeological
finds from in and around the town, as well as more contemporary pieces
that have been brought together in the form of documents, maps and
antique pieces of furniture.
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Lorne
Road, Warley Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 5HH Map BRENTWOOD MUSEUM CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1277 224012 | ||||
| Brentwood Park Karting The racetrack is a floodlit outdoor
circuit based within a leisure complex set in 57 acres of woodland. The
track is a combination of fast straights and tight hairpins. Karting is
available for all standards of driver from age 9 upwards. Day/Evening
corporate events. Group hire for as few as 6 people and up to 80.
Just 5 minutes drive from Jct.28 of M25. only
does Brentwood Karting have one of the largest and fastest circuits in
the South, but it is also one of the best equipped *
Conference Room * Pitstop Café
* 2 Viewing Areas
* Plenty of Free Parking * Changing and Shower
Facilities * Free Wireless Internet Connection
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The Racetrack Brentwood Leisure Park Warley Gap Brentwood Essex CM13 3DP |
tel: 01277 - 260001 | ||||
| Brentwood Ski & Snowboard
Centre Whether it's
your first time on skis, or you want to
master the bumps or maybe
fancy yourself at ski racing we've
got the right lesson for you. Our
experienced & fully qualified
instructors will take your skiing to the next level,
ensuring that you get plenty of
individual attention, whilst identifying your strong points and
helping you master your current
challenge.
ADULT SNOWBOARD COURSES
LESSON FORMAT : Courses run in monthly cycles and last a
total of six hours each. A course is split into either - 4 x 1½
hrs or 3 x 2 hrs lessons, on the same day at the same time during the
course of the month. For example: Course SB1 runs over three
consecutive Sundays, starting on the 6th of September and ending on the
20th of September 2009, from 3pm - 5pm. BEGINNERS : This course is especially designed for complete novices who have never had a board on their feet! Our qualified and experienced instructors will provide a fun and supportive environment taking you through the entire process from fitting your equipment to your very first turns! You'll receive lots of personal attention and your instructor will use your own strengths to build new skills. The maximum class size is 12. IMPROVERS : Beyond 'Falling leaf'! This course will help you perfect your moves and teach you new more challenging & gratifying techniques. Paying more attention to each riders personal needs, our highly qualified snowboard instructors will introduce more exciting terrain and look to develop greater confidence levels. |
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Warley Gap, Little Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3DP BRENTWOOD SKI & SNOWBOARD CLICK |
Tel.
01277 211994 |
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| Brentwood Theatre Brentwood Theatre – the
community theatre for Brentwood, Havering and
beyond – opened in December 1993 following fifteen years of campaigning
and fundraising by a dedicated core of theatre followers who
collectively realised that Brentwood was the largest town in England
without a dedicated theatre space. Brentwood Theatre aims to provide
the people of Brentwood and the surrounding areas with a vibrant,
artistically challenging community theatre offering a wide-ranging
programme in the performing arts. Since opening, our
popularity has grown and grown. We now regularly see
over 15,000 visitors every year, coming along to see our wide variety
of productions. Most of our shows are performed by non-professional
(‘amateur’) companies who rehearse in local halls, arrange costumes,
build scenery etc etc and bring in their finished production to us for
your entertainment. Over forty groups regularly use Brentwood Theatre
for their shows, and many of them now consider us their ‘natural home’.
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15
Shenfield Road Brentwood Essex CM15 8AG BRENTWOOD THEATRE CLICK |
Box Office 01277 200305 | ||||
| Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker Inside a rural bungalow
nestling in the Essex countryside lies the twilight world of the
Government Cold War. Behind the blast screens that protect this
bungalow is the entrance to an amazing labyrinth of rooms built into a
hillside, encased in 10 feet thick reinforced concrete 75 feet
underground.
The Secret Nuclear Bunker at Kelvedon Hatch, in Essex, England, 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 (known as the Secret Nuclear Bunker), with a museum focusing on its cold war history. |
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Crown Buildings Kelvedon Hall Lane Kelvedon Hatch CM14 5TL KELVEDON CLICK |
tel:
01277 364883 |
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| Thorndon Park Thorndon Country Park is
divided into Thorndon Park North, with the Countryside Centre, and
Thorndon Park South. These areas are linked by the 'Old Park', which is
owned by the Woodland Trust, and 'Old Thorndon Pasture', which is owned
by Essex County Council.
The most important habitat in Thorndon Country Park is the ancient deer park area dating back to the 15th century which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The design of the parkland was reorganised in the late 18th century by 'Capability' Brown, obscuring effects of the French landscape designer, Bourginion. Other parts of the park include ancient woodland, plantations of both broad leaved and coniferous species, some grassland and three small lakes. The Countryside Centre in Thorndon Park North, built from timber blown over in the 1987 storms in the two parks, has a permanent exhibition, a shop selling gifts and refreshments, and a schools' room. Both the exhibition and schools' room are available to hire. Fishing is available if a day ticket is purchased. Horse riding is allowed, but you must keep to the areas marked with a blue arrow. Car parks can be found on Brentwood Road (A128) and The Avenue. . |
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THORNDON PARK CLICK |
Tel 01277 312500 | ||||
| Weald Park A more recent
acquisition, it has been owned by the local and county
council only since the 1950s. The founder of Brentwood School had lived
in Weald Hall, which was demolished after a fire during World War II.
The park covers nearly 500 acres and is the biggest country park in
Essex. Among other habitats it holds a lake, woodland and the remains
of an Iron Age encampment. There was an ornamental deer park until
1945, when troops gathered there in preparation for D-Day. Vehicles
breached the fences and the deer escaped. Fallow deer are now wild in
the area, and a deer enclosure has recently been brought back to the
park.
Weald Country Park is located to the west of Brentwood. At nearly 500 acres it is the largest of the Essex County Council Country Parks. Parkland has been established here for more than 700 years; the lakes, the tree-lined avenues, and large parkland trees are the result of the landscaping carried out in the 18th century. The Ranger service at Weald Park and Thorndon Park offers many special activities throughout the year. Activities for children vary from investigating flowers and insects to kite making and Halloween walks. In addition there are many educational walks and tours for family and adults on topics such as natural history, fungi and country park management. Car parks can be found on Weald Road and Lincolns Lane |
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WEALD PARK CLICK |
Tel 01277 312500 | ||||
| Burnham on Crouch | |||||||
| Burnham-on-Crouch
Museum Burnham
on Crouch and District Museum is
located at the heart of this town, and is dedicated to studying and
preserving the long and interesting past of this area. The collection
is made up of a great deal of artefacts that have been collected over a
number of years, and fused with photographs, documents, maps and much
more. There are also archaeological items on display for visitors to
admire.
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Coronation
Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CMO 8HW Map BURNHAM MUSEUM CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1621 783444 | ||||
| Mangapps Railway Museum Mangapps
Railway Museum is a privately owned working museum established
on a farm at Burnham on Crouch, Essex. It features a ¾
mile standard gauge passenger carrying line, with restored stations,
signal boxes and ancillary equipment removed from various sites
throughout East Anglia. To operate the
line the Museum has 10 steam and diesel locomotives and over 80
carriages and wagons, some of considerable historic and technical
interest.To complement the working railway the Museum has a collection
of smaller railway relics which is one of the largest of its kind in
Britain. This collection contains historic items connected with every
aspect of railway operation and has a particular bias towards the
railways of East Anglia and railway signalling - in fact the signalling
collection is believed to be the largest on public display in Britain.
The Railway and Museum are owned and operated by the Jolly family
assisted by a dedicated staff of volunteers.
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Southminster
Road Burnham-on-Crouch Essex CMO 8QQ MANGAPPS RAILWAY MUSEUM CLICK |
Tel : 01621 784898 | ||||
| Canvey
Island |
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| Canvey Point Transport Museum
a collection of buses, coaches, and commercial vehicles
from 1944 onwards.
|
105
Point Road, Canvey Island, SS8 7TP Open: Apr-Oct 1st & 3rd Sundays in the month 10:00-16:00. |
Tel: 01268 684272 | |||||
| Dutch Cottage Museum
a small 17th century cottage with local history
exhibits.
|
Canvey
Road, Canvey Island Open: Spring Bank Holiday Monday 14:30-17:00, Jun-Aug Sun 14:30-17:00, plus Wed in Jul-Aug 14:30-17:00 |
Tel: 01268 794005 | |||||
|
Canvey Miniature Railway
steam miniature
railway on a one mile track.
|
Waterside Farm Centre, Canvey Island, SS16 6DA Open: Sundays from 1st Sunday April - 1st Sunday in October |
Tel: 01268 413235 | |||||
| Waterside Farm Leisure Centre Waterside Farm Leisure Centre
offers a vast array of facilities and equipment. We strive to provide a
professional and friendly atmosphere. We are easily accessible
situated
by Canvey Roundabout with a short 10 minute stroll from Benfleet train
station; bus stops are located just outside the building. Buses
27,22,28,1 and 21 all stop outside the building. Come along and
try
today with our newly refurbished pool and brand new spinning bikes.
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Somnes Avenue Canvey Island Essex, SS8 9RA WATERSIDE LEISURE CENTRE CLICK |
tel:
01268 694342 |
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| Chelmsford In 1199 the Bishop of London was granted a Royal Charter
for Chelmsford to hold a market, marking the origin of the modern town.
An under-cover market, operating Tuesday to Saturday, is still an
important part of the town centre over 800 years later. The town's name
is derived from 'Ceolmaer's ford' which was close to the site of the
present High Street stone bridge. In the Doomesday Book of 1086 the
town was called 'Celmeresfort' and by 1189 it had changed to
'Chelmsford'. Before 1199, there were
settlements nearby from ancient times. A Neolithic and a late Bronze
Age settlement have been found in the Springfield suburb, and the town
was occupied by the Romans. A Roman fort was built in AD 60, and a
civilian town grew up around it. The town was given the name of
Caesaromagus (the market place of Caesar), although the reason for it
being given the great honour of bearing the Imperial prefix is now
unclear — possibly as a failed 'planned town' provincial capital to
replace Londinium or Camulodunum. The remains of a mansio, a
combination post office, civic centre and hotel, lie beneath the
streets of modern Moulsham, and the ruins of an octagonal temple are
located beneath the Odeon roundabout. The town became the
seat of the local assize during the early 13th century (though assizes
were also held at Brentwood) and by 1218 was recognised as the county
town of Essex, a position it has retained to the present day.
Chelmsford was significantly involved in the Peasants' Revolt of 1381,
and Richard II moved on to the town after quelling the rebellion in
London. Many of the ringleaders were executed on the gallows at what is
now Primrose Hill.
An important Anglo-Saxon burial was discovered at Broomfield to the north of Chelmsford in the late 19th century and the finds are now in the British Museum. The road 'Saxon Way' now marks the site. In the 17th century many of the victims of Matthew Hopkins (the self-styled "Witchfinder General") spent their last days imprisoned in Chelmsford, before being tried at the Assizes and hanged for witchcraft. Robert the Bruce has close ties with the nearby village of Writtle and its parish church. Henry VIII Kept a hunting lodge at what is now the independent New Hall RC School (New Hall School) in Boreham. |
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![]() County Hall, Market Rd, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GG E-mail: emorgan@tendringdc.gov.uk
|
Tel: +44 (01255) 686633 Fax: +44 (01255) 686412 | ||||
| Chelmsford
Cathedral Built
in the late 15th to early 16th Century,
this magnificent cathedral homes an altar, 19th Century stained-glass
windows, two organs, bronze ambos and work by contemporary artists,
depicting suffering in the world today. The cathedral operates in the
heart of the community and is often used as a venue for concerts,
lectures and ceremonies. Since the 17th century it has had bell
ringers, and now has 13 bells and a large number of bell ringers who
ring for Sunday services. It is based near the town centre of
Chelmsford and visitors are advised to book in advance.
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New
Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1TY Map Chelmsford Cathedral Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1245 294480 | ||||
| Chelmsford
Museum Chelmsford
is the county town of Essex and has
a long and interesting history that can be traced back to Roman times
and beyond. The central museum in the heart of the city has been
created in order to allow a cultural and research hub where local
people and visitors can learn more about the history and heritage of
Chelmsford, and see the ways in which it has changed throughout the
years.
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Oaklands
Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9AQ Map CHELMSFORD MUSEUM CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1245 605700 | ||||
| Essex County Cricket Club Essex County Cricket
Club is one of the Country's oldest County Cricket
sides. Formed in 1876 the side had to wait until 1979 to win their
first major silverware when they won the County Championship. Over the
year’s Essex County Cricket Club has adopted some famous son’s
including Allan Border, Mark Waugh, Merv Hughes, Ken McEwen, Andy
Bichel, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Andre Nel and most recently Danish
Kaneria. When you add to this a list of English greats Graham Gooch,
Nasser Hussain, Ronnie Irani and Darren Gough, you can see that The
County Ground has been home to some of the biggest names in the world
of cricket.
|
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The
Ford County Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 0PG
ESSEX CCC CLICK |
Tel : 01245 252420 Fax: 01245 254030. | ||||
| Essex Police
Museum The
Essex Police Museum celebrates a long and
illustrious history that the police force have of serving and
protecting one of the largest counties in the country. Crossing a large
amount of land, and covering an area that ranges from the edge of
Greater London to the seaside towns on the east coast, the police force
have to be versatile and adaptable in this county. The museum charts
the history of the constabulary and the way that it is operated
|
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Essex
Police Headquarters, Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 6DA Map E-mail Essex Police Museum ESSEX POLICE MUSEUM CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1245 457150 | ||||
| Essex Regiment
Museum The Essex Regiment Museum was established in
order to celebrate one of the most prestigious regiments of the British
Army, a very proud fact for he people of this area who have always
shared a close connection with the forces. The museum carries a good
collection of various artefacts that include uniforms, weapons, medals,
photographs and more that help chart the history of this section of the
forces
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Oaklands
Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 9AQ Map E-mail Essex Regiment Museum ESSEX REGIMENTAL MUSEUM CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1245 605700 | ||||
| Chingford | |||||||
| Chipping
Ongar |
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Ongar
Town Council Bansons Bansons Way Chipping Ongar Essex CM5 9AS |
tel: 01277 365348 | ||||
| Clacton-on-Sea Clacton-on-Sea
is the largest town on the Tendring Peninsula, in Essex, England and
was founded in 1871. It is a seaside resort that attracted many
tourists in the 1960s and '70s, but which like other English resorts
has been in decline since foreign holidays became more fashionable and
affordable making it more popular as a retirement hotspot these days.
It is located between Jaywick and Holland-on-sea along the coastline
and Great Clacton to the north.Clacton
was the site of the lower Palaeolithic Clactonian industry of flint
tool manufacture . Great Clacton was founded by the Celts in
c.100BC[citation needed]. There are some vague traces of Romans using
the Clacton area as a seaside resort. The name Clacton dates from c.500
AD when the area was settled by Saxons. The original name,
Claccingaton, means 'the village of Clacc's people'. The Domesday Book
records the village as Clachintuna.
Construction of the Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm, a 48 turbine wind farm 7 km off the Clacton and Holland Essex coast in the Northern Thames Estuary began in March 2008 and is scheduled to be completed in Autumn 2009 . The turbines are expected to have a capacity of 172MW , enough to power approximately 120,000 homes Beside the sandy beaches, there are beautifully restored themed gardens, bowling greens, two theatres, golf course and a Sports and Leisure Centre. Clacton Carnival and Jazz Festival in the high season, Clacton Shopping Village, a major factory outlet shopping village opened in 1998, a vibrant Victorian pier, leisure centre, sport on land and water, Highfield Holiday Park and a lively nightlife, or dine and relaxing as you would expect from a major English seaside resort: fish and chips - pie and mash - Italian or chineses. Pubs -Restaurants - end of pier Cafe Clacton Air Show 2009 27th - 28th August 11.00 - 17.00Full programme of flying both days, with various ground events on the West Greensward, Marine Parade West Clacton Carnival 8th - 14th AUGUST 2009 |
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![]() Clacton Tourist Information Centre Town Hall, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1SE Map CLACTON CLICK
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Tel: +44 1255 423400 Fax: +44 1255 430906 | ||||
| Clacton
Beach Clacton-on-Sea
has over seven miles of beach.
Clean, safe and, for the most part, sandy, it's very popular. An
excellent range of beach activities and water sports draws thousands of
visitors every year. Windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, jet skiing and
adventure golf are just some of them, and amusement arcades, rides and
restaurants are nearby. The West beach has won a Blue Flag Award in
recognition of its clean water and excellent facilities.
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Clacton-on-Sea,
Essex CO15 Map |
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| Clacton
Pier Opened
in 1877, Clacton Pier is a very popular
destination for day-trippers. Attractions include a Seaquarium and an
undercover fairground with many rides to enjoy. Covering a total of 6.5
acres, the pier is fully accessible for wheelchairs, and boasts a
public house, restaurants, cafes, shops, side-stalls and amusement
arcades. It is possible to sit and take the sea air, fish from the pier
end or have a meal in the Jolly Roger Restaurant. The pier also houses
the RNLI lifeboat station and shop.
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Pier
Gap, Marine Parade, Clacton on Sea, Essex CO15 Map Clacton Pier Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1255 421115 | ||||
| East Essex
Aviation Museum The
East Essex Aviation Society Museum is a
fascinating visitor attraction for anyone who has even a passing
interest in aeroplanes and other flying machines. Housing an
interesting collection of artefacts and models that relate to the
history of flight as well as wreckage from some actual planes, the
museum tells the story of flight and how it has changed the way the
world works forever.
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St.
Osyth, nr. Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO16 8NG Map EAST ESSEX AVIATION MUSEUM CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1255 434141 | ||||
| Princes
Theatre The
Princes Theatre is the largest
multi-purpose entertainment venue in North Essex. Run by the council,
it hosts a varied programme of family entertainment including concerts,
plays, comedy and community events. They include regular performances
by the Princes Theatre Youth Company, which is based here. The
Theatre's home is the impressive Clacton Town Hall, where visitors can
find out what else Clacton-on-Sea has to offer at the Tourist
Information Centre.
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Town
Hall, Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 1SE Map E-mail Princes Theatre Princes Theatre Web site |
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| The
Mediterranean Garden The
Mediterranean Garden was completed in 2000
as part of the restoration of Clacton's seafront gardens. All the
plants and trees seen here are from the Mediterranean, thriving in hot
dry conditions. They have adapted well to conditions in Clacton, which
is one of the warmest and driest places in the UK. The Mediterranean
Garden together with the other seafront gardens next door host
Clacton's annual mountain bike rally and the Essex Air Ambulance Bike
Ride.
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Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO15 Map |
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| The Rose
Garden The
restoration of Clacton's Edwardian gardens
has transformed the town’s seafront. The Rose Garden is perhaps the
best of the gardens originally laid out in 1922. It was replanted and
restored in the 1990s, and today, it's a contemporary mix of low
hedges, curving paths and flowerbeds creatively planted with roses and
perennials, with a modern chrome pergola at its centre. Notice the
mature pine trees along the landward side of the garden - the only
survivals from the original 1922 garden.
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Clacton-on-Sea,
Essex CO15 Map |
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| War
Memorial Garden Clacton's
War Memorial Garden is little
changed since it was first laid out in 1924. Colourful displays of
bedding plants can still be seen in summer. They surround a war
memorial designed by Charles Hartwell. Other attractions include plenty
of seating and sea views. The garden was very popular until the 1990s,
when it fell into ruin. It was then restored with money from the Urban
Parks Programme, along with the town’s other Edwardian gardens.
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Clacton-on-Sea,
Essex CO15 Map |
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| West
Cliff Theatre and Arts Centre This
community theatre hosts a broad range of
entertainment through the summer and winter. Performers range from
newcomers to established names such as Marty Wilde and Roy Hudd. In
addition, the Theatre's own youth group, the West Cliff Stage
Foundation also performs here. Other attractions include regular art
exhibitions in the foyer and a licensed bar. The Theatre is run by
volunteers with help from Tendring District Council, and there is
access for the disabled.
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Tower
Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex C015 1LE Map West Cliff Theatre Web site |
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| Coggeshall This was a medieval wool town on the route of the old
Roman Stane Street. Its history really develops from 1140 when a large
Cistercian abbey was founded here. The monks were extensively sheep
farmers so this promoted the wool trade from the 15th to the 18th
century and Coggeshall's prosperity was based on this. There are some pretty
amazing ancient buildings in this small town and the BBC television
series 'Lovejoy' was filmed here.
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| Coggeshall
Grange Barn Coggeshall
Grange Barn is a 13th Century
monastic barn and has been in the possession of the National Trust
since 1989. The structure is closely associated with the nearby
Cistercian abbey. It enjoys a beautiful ‘cathedral like’ interior and
has a collection of fine farm carts from the last few centuries. The
building is surrounded by splendid Essex countryside, a great place for
walking.
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Grange
Hill, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex CO6 1RE Map COGGESHALL GRANGE BARN CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 562226 | ||||
| Coggeshall
Museum Coggeshall
is a town that has a long and
interesting history associated with the lace and textiles industry.
This becomes one of the main focuses of this local museum, which is
packed with interesting information, and artefacts that are related to
the growth and development of this practice. There are also other
pieces on display, and a great deal of pictures and photographs that
help to bring the history to life.
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Stoneham
Street, Coggeshall, Essex CO6 1UH Map E-mail Coggeshall Museum COGGESHALL GRANGE BARN CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 563003 | ||||
| Paycocke's This
beautiful merchant’s house has a history
that is thought to date back to around 1500. It has been taken over by
the National Trust, which has ensured that the building has been
preserved and restored in order for future generations to enjoy it. The
Tudor architecture is something to marvel at as a visitor as you walk
through the intricate carvings. There are also several art and crafts
displays within the property.
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West
Street, Coggeshall, Colchester, Essex CO6 1NS Map PAYCOCKE'S CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1376 561305 | ||||
| Colchester | ![]() |
![]() Colchester
1
Queen St, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PGVisitor Information Centre Email: vic@colchester.gov.uk |
Tel: +44 1206 282920 Fax: +44 1206 282924 | ||||
| Balkerne
Gate Colchester
is well known for its Roman
remains, and the Balkerne Gate is the most complete Roman town gateway
in Britain. Built around AD 55, it started life as the main entrance to
the town but was later turned into triumphal arch. Ten years later it
was incorporated into the new town walls, but blocked up four hundred
years after that to strengthen the town's defenses. The Gateway was
only uncovered around 100 years ago, which helps to explain its
survival.
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Ipswich
Road, Colchester, Essex CO4 9WP Map |
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|
Beth Chatto
Gardens
The Beth Chatto Gardens began in
1960. From an overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy
hollows, it has been transformed into an informal garden harmonising
with the surrounding countryside. |
Clacton Road Elmstead Colchester Essex CO7 7DB |
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| Castle
Park A
beautiful park based near Colchester town
centre, which is situated near a leisure facility, a ten-pin bowling
lane, restaurants and shops. It has vast grounds, with colourful flower
beds, ancient trees and sculptures. The park has a large lake where you
can hire pedal boats throughout the summer months. It is abundant in
wildlife and also houses a large children’s play area including slides,
swings and other facilities for children up to the age of twelve. The
park also hosts various music events throughout the year.
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Colchester,
Essex CO1 1TJ Map |
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| Charter Market Colchester is the oldest
recorded town in England, and its market has been running for over 800
years. In 1189, it was granted a charter by King John - hence its name.
It runs on Fridays and Saturdays, with stalls lining the town centre
streets around Culver Street West. The market offers plenty of choice,
with no two stalls allowed to sell the same goods. The market is run by
Colchester Borough Council.
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Culver
Street West, Colchster, Essex C01 Map |
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| Colchester Arts Centre Colchester
Arts Centre offers an astonishing
choice of entertainment, ranging from films to farmers markets. The
Centre also hosts club nights, poetry, salsa, theatre, world music and
gigs, with big-name bands sometimes appearing here. For children,
there’s an annual kid’s festival as well as other events. Other
attractions include a licensed bar and the Art Centre’s home, a
sympathetically converted church which still has its stained glass
windows. Colchester Arts Centre is run by Colchester Borough Council.
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Church
St, Colchester, Essex CO1 1NF Map E-mail Colchester Arts Centre Colchester Arts Centre Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 500900 |
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| Colchester
Castle This
Norman castle is laid on the foundations of the Roman Temple of
Claudius, destroyed in AD60 by Queen Boudica when she razed Colchester.
The castle walls have reused many roman materials and compose, not only
the largest keep built in Britain but also the oldest surviving in
Europe. Inside, exhibitions span 2000 years of British history, with
many interactive displays to entertain all ages. Visitors can learn
about Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins who used the castle as a
gaol, feel heavy chain mail and touch Roman pottery.
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Castle
Park, 14 Ryegate Road, Colchester, Essex CO1 1TJ Map |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 282939 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 282925 |
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| Colchester Natural History Museum Interestingly housed in
what was All Saints Church, this museum is dedicated to the rich
natural heritage of North East Essex. Dominated by the marine
environment, many of the habitats are recreated - from the mudflats and
marshes around the River Colne to the limestone beds of Dovercourt.
Amongst the many ‘hands on’ exhibits, are a crawl-through badger sett,
interactive fossils and a video microscope. Visitors can learn about
the Colchester earthquake of 1884, take in the Fingringhoe saltmarsh
diorama or investigate the churchyard nature reserve.
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All
Saints Church, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1DN Map |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 282941 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 282925 |
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| Colchester
Town Hall Colchester's
grandest building, the Town Hall, is a 90-roomed baroque masterpiece
with a 162ft Victorian tower. Grade I listed, it was designed by John
Belcher and completed in May 1902, costing £55,000. Inside,
highlights include a 15ft stained glass window, an Italian marble
staircase and the richly decorated Moot Hall. The Town Hall was
restored in 1996 at a cost of £0.5 million.
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Colchester,
Essex CO1 1FR Map |
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| Colchester
War Memorial Colchester's
War Memorial is one of the town's finest works of public art. In fact
it’s regarded as one of the best war memorials in the country. It was
designed by HC Fehr in 1919, after he won a competition set by the
Royal Academy. Standing at over 28ft tall, it's made from fine Whitbed
Portland stone and granite, with figures representing Victory, St
George and and Peace.
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Colchester,
Essex C01 Map |
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| Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo is one of
the finest zoos in Europe with over 200 species set 60 acres of
beautiful parkland. Award winning enclosures include the Kingdom of the
Wild, which has cost nearly £2 million to build. It provides a
wonderful environment for zebras, ostriches, rhinos and camels plus two
new species, giraffes and pygmy hippos. There’s also Spirit of Africa,
the Elephant Kingdom, Chimp World, Penguin Shores, Monkey Mountain,
South American World and Edge of Africa with new enclosures for
Mandrills, Cheetahs and Hyenas.
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Maldon
Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex CO3 0SL Map E-mail Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 331292 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 331392 |
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| East Anglian Railway Museum Based around a country
station, this museum has the feel of an 1890s branch line. Many
locomotives, wagons and carriages from the eras of steam to diesel are
on view at the platforms, sidings or in the Restoration Shed. On Steam
Days, it is possible to ride on some of these trains. Visitors can try
working an old signal box, call at the original booking hall and
Station Master’s Office or stop for refreshments in the buffet. The
Visitor Reception Centre is stocked with a wide range of transport
books and souvenirs.
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Chappel
Station, Colchester, Essex CO6 2DS Map E-mail East Anglian Railway Museum East Anglian Railway Museum Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 242524 |
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| Firstsite @ The Minories Art
Gallery Firstsite is one of the
leading contemporary visual arts organisations in East England.
Currently based at the Minories Art Gallery we programme exhibitions,
projects and events onsite - inside the gallery and offsite, outside
the gallery. Firstsite is working towards newsite, a new visual arts
building in the future.
|
The
Minories Art Gallery, 74 High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1UE Map E-mail Firstsite Firstsite Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 577067 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 577161 |
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| Headgate
Theatre The
Headgate Theatre is the home of amateur theatre in Colchester. Events
include concerts, comedy, plays, musical workshops and much more, with
performers including the Colchester Theatre Group, Colchester Operatic
Society and The Priory Players. The Theatre is also the home of
Colchester Film Society, which hosts films not released commercially
with an emphasis on world cinema. The Headgate Theatre was restored in
2000 with money from the National Lottery. The Theatre has disabled
access.
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Chapel
Street North, Colchester, Essex CO2 7AT] Map E-mail Headgate Theatre Headgate Theatre Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 366041 |
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| High
Street The
High Street reflects Colchester’s status as England's oldest recorded
town. Buildings range from medieval timber-framed houses to Georgian
mansions, and underneath them all are the remains the Roman city of
Camulodunum. Notable buildings include the Baroque Town Hall of 1902,
the Corn Exchange of 1820, Hollytrees, a fine Georgian mansion, and the
highlight, Colchester’s Norman Castle, which has the largest keep of
any built by the Normans in England.
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Colchester,
Essex C01 Map |
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| Hollytrees Museum An award winning museum
which presents the history of the building and Colchester in a light
and amusing fashion, making it ideal for family visits. Hollytrees
House, built in 1718, is reportedly haunted by a perfumed, piano
playing lady ghost. Look out for the dolls house which is a miniature
Hollytrees and the locally constructed Victorian boat-pram. Toys
through the ages are on display including a set of Star Wars models.
One of the displays celebrates Colchester’s famous nursery rhymes, Old
King Cole and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
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High
Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1UG Map |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 282 940 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 282 925 |
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| Holy Trinity Church This is Colchester's
only standing Saxon building. Built around 1000, it features triangle
arches, basket windows and reused Roman bricks - they are the reddish
ones on the corners of the tower. In the churchyard look out for the
grave of William Gilberd, physician to Elizabeth I and inventor of
electro-magnetism, who lived in Colchester. The Church used to be
Colchester's Social History Museum.
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1
Queen Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 2PG Map |
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| Jumbo Water Tower The unusual red brick
tower looking down Colchester High Street is England's largest
Victorian water tower. Completed in 1883, the 116ft building took over
a year and half to build. Its cast-iron tank holds 1000 tons of water
and it was named after Jumbo, London Zoo's famous elephant. The Tower
was decommissioned in 1988, but it's one of the few water towers with
good access - a spiral staircase leads to a viewing platform - and it
is hoped it will one day be open to the pubic.
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Colchester,
Essex CO1 Map |
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| Collection of Latin American Art The University of Essex
Collection of Latin American Art is based at the Colchester campus of
the institution and comprises over six hundred works by major modern
and contemporary artists from Latin and South America. The collection
is one of the most significant of its type in Britain and invites a
regular audience of interested visitors to learn more about art and the
people in this area of the world.
|
University
of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ Map E-mail Latin American Art Collection Latin American Art Collection Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 873971 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 873971 |
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| Mercury Theatre The Mercury has been
described as one of the best repertory theatres in the country. It is
home to the Mercury Theatre Company, which performs a classical
repertoire and also hosts workshops and classes, ranging from parent
and toddler dance to writing for the theatre. The Theatre's commitment
to quality and diversity can also been seen in its other events, which
include music, comedy, family shows, amateur shows and pantomimes.
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Balkerne
Gate, Colchester, Essex CO1 1PT Map E-mail Mercury Theatre Mercury Theatre Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 573948 |
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| Roman Circus Remains The remains of Britain's
only Roman Circus were first glimpsed in 2000, nearly 2000 years after
it was built. It was made entirely of stone and tile and could hold at
least 3000 spectators. The best places to find out about it are here in
Maidenburgh Street, where wall fragments have been uncovered and a wall
painting shows how the Circus would have looked, and also at Gosbecks,
just outside the town.
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Maidenburgh
Street, Colchester, Essex C01 Map |
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| Roman Wall The Roman Emporer
Claudius famously rode into Colchester on an elephant in AD43. The
Romans soon turned Colchester – or Camulodunum as they called it - into
Britain’s first city. By 80AD it was enclosed by a 3000m-long wall made
from layered septaria, mortar and tile. Today it’s the oldest surviving
town wall in Britain. The best places to see it are near Balkerne Gate
and in Castle Park, where long stretches survive.
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Colchester,
Essex CO1 Map |
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| Social History Museum Colchester is the oldest
recorded town in the country, and therefore has a long and interesting
history. Unlike many museums that are concerned with the major
political changes, this collection is focussed on the common person,
and the way that their lives have developed throughout the centuries.
The exhibition has many fine displays; highlights of which include
weapons, costumes and tools from archaeological excavations.
|
Colchester,
Essex CO1 1YG Map Social History Museum Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 282935 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 282 925 |
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| St Bodolph’s Church St Bodolph's Church is
squeezed into a narrow back street right next to the atmospheric ruin
of St Bodolph's Priory. In fact, the original Saxon St Bodolph’s Church
stood where the ruins are now. Completed in 1835, the present church
was built in the Norman style. The three beautiful east windows are
from Flanders. St Bodolph’s Church has excellent acoustics and is often
used for concerts, with St Bodolph's Music Society regularly performing
here.
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St
Bodolph’s Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 Map E-mail St Bodolph’s Church St Bodolph’s Church Web site |
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| St Bodolph’s Priory These are the ruins of
England's first Augustinian monastery. Founded in 1103, the Priory of
St Julian and St Bodolph is now hidden in the urban sprawl of
modern-day Colchester but it's well worth seeking out. The dramatic
ruins consist of a 12th Century nave and the West Front. Look out for
the Roman bricks, which were salvaged from other parts of the town. The
Priory is open all year and admission is free.
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Colchester,
Essex CO1 Map St Bodolph’s Priory Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 282931 |
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| St
Martin’s Church St
Martin's Church is a part-ruined medieval church. The damage to the
tower was done during the English Civil War, and the church was never
repaired. Most of the building is late medieval though, with the tower
dating from the 12th century. It's thought there’s been a church here
since the end of the Roman occupation. The building is now
deconsecrated, but the key is available from Colchester Borough Council
Museum Service.
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West
Stockwell Street, Colchester, Essex Map |
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| The Dutch
Quarter In
the 1500s Flemish Protestant refugees arrived in Colchester, their
weaving skills helping to make it one of the richest wool towns in
England. Although their houses were spread throughout Colchester, many
of them were here in the Dutch Quarter. The area makes a worthwhile
detour from the town centre with its attractive mix of Tudor, Queen
Anne and medieval buildings. The former home of the Taylor sisters, who
wrote the poem, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, is also here.
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Colchester,
Essex CO1 Map |
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| Tymperleys Clock Museum Timperleys is a 15th
Century timber-framed house, a garden and a fascinating clock museum.
The house and garden that were once home to William Gilberd, scientist
and doctor to Elizabeth I is now filled with the Bernard Mason
Collection of Clocks, one of he largest in the country. All the clocks
were made in Colchester between 1640 and 1840, with exhibits ranging
from Longcase clocks to clockmaking tools. Events include talks and
clock-making workshops.
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Trinity
Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1JN Map |
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| University
of Essex Gallery The
University of Essex Gallery is a world-class art space located on the
main campus in Colchester. The gallery hosts a series of exhibitions
throughout the year, bringing some of the most celebrated contemporary
artists to the region as part of group shows and individual thematic
exhibits. It also shows the best work of graduates and undergraduates
associated with the university.
|
Wivenhoe
Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ Map E-mail University of Essex Gallery University of Essex Gallery Web site |
Phone:
+44 (0)1206 873261 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 873261 |
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| Dedham Dedham is frequently
rated as containing some of England's most
beautiful Lowland landscape, most particularly the Water Meadows of the
River Stour, which passes along the northern boundary of the village
forming the boundary between the counties
of Essex and Suffolk.
Dedham has a central nuclear settlement around the Church and the
junction of Mill Lane and the High Street (forming the B1029).
Connected to Dedham are the hamlets The Heath and Lamb Corner, both of
which formerly retained their own shops and pubs. The village forms a
key part of the Dedham Vale.Formerly a rich wool town and market town,
Dedham is now still a
flourishing commercial village, housing a post office, butcher, Co-op,
grocers, delicattessen, art shop and various other shops.
Agriculture is also important with mainly arable land (sugar beet and
wheat) but also cattle grazing on the water meadows and some sheep on
Grove Hill. There is an industrial estate on the A12 which passes
through the West of the village. A Business Centre and Nursing Home
have recently opened.
This village was a recruiting ground for the American colonies. A dozen descendants of Henry Sherman emigrated to New England between 1633 and 1640. The Sherman family left their significant mark on the United States. Through their family tree, they can claim a co-founder of Rhode Island, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, General William Tecumseh Sherman connected with the Civil War, a Vice-president of the US and other distinguished luminaries. See
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Constable country, Dedham, Essex: Walk ID 3209This walk takes you to
the heart of "Constable Country" on the Essex-Suffolk
border, crossing Dedham Vale and following the river Stour. Starting
from the medieval village of Dedham, where the painter John Constable
was educated, you take sections of two longer paths, the Essex Way and
the St Edmund Way, before coming back along the riverside path that, as
a boy, Constable took each morning on his way to school. Dedham Vale is
a designated area of outstanding natural beauty and contains some of
England's most stunning lowland landscapes, particularly the water
meadows of the river Stour.Dedham Vale was Constable's
home, and on this walk, you pass many of
the scenes he painted. His affection for this area was intense: "I
should paint my own places best", he wrote to his friend John Fisher in
1821. "Painting is but another word for feeling." You pass Flatford
Mill and Lock, painted by Constable and owned by his father. With a
slight detour, you can visit the site where Constable painted the Hay
Wain, as well as Valley Farm and a dry dock, which he also immortalised.
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Walk ID 3209
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| Dedham Art & Craft Centre a congregational church
built in 1739 and now the Dedham Art and Craft Centre. From
France to China, from Italy to India and beyond - an eclectic mix
of wares imported from all corners of the globe are exhibited by our
wide range of specialist retailers. If you are looking for something
special, something a little unique with a touch of exclusivity in
homewares, fashion and jewellery – then you will be sure to find it
here …
Click on the individual links to find out more. Anjuna – Ladies clothing, Accessories & exclusive leisureware for men Goodies – Silk flowers & Gifts Kiddywinks – Original and traditional toys, clothing and rain wear for babies and children. P.J.'s – Garden, Kitchen & interior accessories SilverLeaf101 – Silver & Gemstone Jewellery The Gallery Boutique – Ladies' Clothing & Jewellery Terrestrail Treasures – Rare sculptures and gifts carved from minerals or fossil-bearing stone |
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DEDHAM ART & CRAFT CENTRE CLICK |
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| Flatford
Bridge Cottage Just
upstream from Flatford Mill, the 16th
century thatched cottage houses an exhibition on landscape painter John
Constable, several of whose paintings famously depict this property. A
short walk downstream takes you to the quiet mill pool, where beyond is
Willy Lott’s cottage, where mill-hand Willy Lott lived reputedly for 88
years. This is the scene of Constable’s best known work, and after the
Mona Lisa probably one of the world’s most instantly recognisable
paintings - “The Hay Wain”.
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East
Bergholt, Suffolk CO7 6UL Map FLATFORD BRIDGE COTTAGE CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1206 298260 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 299193 | ||||
Le TalboothLe Talbooth at Dedham
has been run by the Milsom family since 1952 and
has always enjoyed a fine reputation for a warm welcome and the quality
of food, wine and accommodation. A
unique business has beenLe Talbooth Dedham created linking the
riverside restaurant Le Talbooth with the 10 luxury suites at Maison
Talbooth. Located in the heart of Constable country, the
restaurant enjoys a strong local following with a range of
competitively priced menus and the hotel is a founder member of Pride
of Britain Consortia of Country House Hotels. Le Talbooth Restaurant
are desevedly proud of the numerous awards and accolades bestowed on
them including the 2002 Conde Nast Johansen Guide Award - 'Restaurant
of the Year' reflecting the quality of dining experience. As
well as the restaurant Le Talbooth also cater for functions,
accommodation, private dining, external catering and hold a civil
licence should you wish to hold your wedding at this beautiful
location. The
Milsom family also own Milsoms Hotel and Restaurant and The Pier at
Harwich which offers two seafood Restaurants and fourteen bedrooms on
the quay in old Harwich.
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Gun Hill, Dedham Essex CO7 6HP LE TALBOOTH CLICK |
Tel No.: 01206 323 150 | ||||
| Parish
Church of St Mary the Virgin In
the heart of John Constable country, St
Mary the Virgin was constructed in 1492 and has undergone numerous
changes, mainly internally since then. Many times pictured in the
background of a Constable painting, inside hangs one of the few
commissions the artist undertook for the church. Puritan Divine Matthew
Newcomen who lectured here in the mid 1600s was also famous for his
preaching before the House of Commons. The bells can no longer peal due
to the tower’s structure, but can still be heard chiming.
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High
Street, Dedham, Essex CO7 6DE Map ST MARY CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1206 322136 | ||||
| Sir
Alfred Munnings Art Gallery & Museum Munnings
was famous for his depiction of East
Anglian rural life in the early twentieth century and later for his
paintings of racehorses. He lived and worked in Castle House for over
40 years and although it has been restored, it retains much of the
character as lived by the Munnings. There is a regular rotation
of pictures on view in the
gallery. Castle House, a mixture of Tudor
and Georgian periods, has been restored structurally. The essential
character of the house as lived in by Sir Alfred and Lady Violet has
been retained by using Munnings' original furniture. The House stands
in spacious grounds with well maintained gardens which visitors are
welcome to walk round. They may also view his original studios where he
painted some of his most famous paintings and where many of his
original working materials are displayed.
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Castle
House, Castle Hill, Dedham, Essex CO7 6AZ Map MUNNINGS ART GALLERY & MUSEUM CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1206 322 127 - Fax: +44 (0)1206 322 127 | ||||
| Southfields Southfields was built in
1500 by a rich clothier. It is square in plan with an inner courtyard
and has lots of exposed timbers. Grade I listed, is the
most splendid of the
many medieval buildings in the village. Formerly a factory used when
Dedham was a wealthy wool town it is now a series of cottages.
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| The Sun Inn the Sun Inn, a medieval building that retains its coaching arch. This quintessential coaching inn at the heart of the gentle rolling landscape of Constable Country has been a watering hole for villagers and resting post for travellers s for centuries These days, it’s much the same – an ideal spot to revive yourself be it with a pint of Brewer’s Gold, a meal using fine East Anglian produce or a good night’s sleep. Owner Piers Baker has provided a sheltered annex for the local village farm shop, Victoria's Plums (which is run by his wife). An extension of the pub kitchen, you'll find local fruit and veg (rhubarb, rainbow chard etc) on sale as well as freshly made pub meals to take away. |
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High Street, Dedham CO7 6DF, Map SUN INN CLICK |
Phone: +44 (0)1206 323351 | ||||
| East Tilbury | |||||||
| Epping "Epinga", a small
community of a few scattered farms and a chapel on the edge of the
forest, is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. However, the
settlement referred to is known today as Epping Upland. It is not known
for certain when the present day Epping was first settled. By the mid
12th century a settlement known as Epping Heath (later named Epping
Street), had developed south of Epping Upland as a result of vigorous
clearing of the forest for cultivation. In 1253 King Henry III conveyed
the right to hold a weekly market in Epping Street, which helped to
establish the town as a centre of trade and has continued to the
present day. The linear village of Epping Heath developed slowly into a
small main-road town and by the early 19th century considerable
development had taken place along what is now High Street and Hemnall
Street. Up to 25 stagecoaches and mailcoaches a day passed through the
town from London en route to Norwich, Cambridge and Bury St. Edmunds.
By the end of the 19th century 26 coaching inns lined the High Street.
A couple survive today as public houses, e.g. The George and Dragon and
The Black Lion. The advent of the railways put an end to this traffic
and the town declined, but it revived after the extension of a branch
line from London in 1865 and the coming of the motor car. A number of
listed buildings, most dating from the 18th century, line both sides of
the High Street although many were substantially altered internally
during the 19th century. Some of the oldest buildings in the town can
be found at each end of the Conservation Area, e.g. Beulah Lodge in
Lindsey Street (17th century), and
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| Connaught
Water This
stunning 10 acre lake is located within
Epping Forest, one of the largest in the country and certainly the
biggest wooded area around London. The lake is named after the Duke of
Connaught the first ever ranger of Epping Forest. The area attracts a
wide variety of waterfowl, birds, animals and exciting varieties of
plant life. It has its own car park and is a popular attraction.
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Epping
Forest, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| Epping Green Epping
Green is one of the centres of town
life in this beautiful Essex market town. The green historically would
have been a place of trading and meeting for the people of the area and
those who pass by on their way to London and the south east of England.
Today the green is a place of rest and relaxation, used by local people
to escape the busy town streets and watch the world go by.
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Palmers
Hill, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| Epping
Library Epping
Library is a modern facility located at
the heart of the town centre. The library carries a large range of
books, music and video material. In recent times the library has begun
to be used as an interactive information centre with a bank of open
access computers available. The library is a multi purpose facility and
is often used for exhibitions and seminars.
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St.
Johns Rd, Epping, Essex CM16 5DN Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1992 573 504 | ||||
| Epping
Methodist Church Epping
Methodist Church is located at the very
heart of the beautiful Essex market town, close to the main parish
church. The facility is built in a traditional ‘free’ church style and
fits in nicely next to the old commercial buildings. The church is home
to a large and friendly Christian community who meet on a regular basis
for prayer and worship.
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High
Street, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| Gothic
Tower The
Gothic Tower at the centre of Epping was
built in 1872 as a water tower for the expanding market town. It has
since that time quickly become one of the central symbols of the area.
One of the highest structures for miles around, the tower, although no
longer functioning, is synonymous with Epping and is truly an iconic
part of the local skyline.
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Tower
Road, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| Great
Monk Wood Great
Monk Wood is a huge piece of woodland
located on the edge of Epping Forest. It is well known because it is
one of the best places for walking in any part of the great forest.
Trails have been carved throughout the wood taking walkers and ramblers
past some of the most beautiful ancient woodland. The wood is known for
containing some of the most diverse and interesting wildlife in the
area.
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Epping
Forest, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| Hill Hall This
beautiful Elizabethan mansion has some of
the earliest examples of external Renaissance architectural detail of
any property in the country. Within the property are two rare wall
paintings, dated to the 16th Century, depicting mythical and Biblical
characters. The house is operated by English Heritage and is open to
the public by appointment as parts of the property are still private
residences.
|
Theydon
Bois, Epping, Essex CM16 7QQ Map |
Phone: +44 (0)1799 522 842 | |||||
| Hobbs
Cross Golf Centre Hobbs
Cross Golf Centre is located just
outside Epping in the Essex countryside. The primary purpose of the
facility is to allow people to play golf without having to be member of
high priced private clubs. The centre is open to all throughout the
year and offers two par 3, 9 hole courses on the same site. The centre
has refreshments available in the café.
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Hobbs
Cross Road, Epping, Essex CM16 7NQ Map Hobbs Cross Golf Centre Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1992 561 661 | ||||
| Church of
Immaculate Conception The
Church of the Immaculate Conception is a
small Roman Catholic Church at the heart of the Epping community. The
church is a modern building but houses a long term congregation who
have met in Epping for many centuries to celebrate their love and faith
in God. The church likes to play a prominent role in the affairs of the
town.
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Church
Hill, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| Quaker
Meeting House The
Quaker Meeting House is a beautiful
facility located at the northern end of the market town of Epping. The
facility is home to a large community of Quakers who meet here on a
regular basis to worship and pray. The centre is also a social meeting
place and it is from the site that a great many of the charitable
activities of the Quakers are organised for the benefit of the
community.
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Hemnall
Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4LN Map |
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| St. John
the Baptist Church St.
John the Baptist Church is the primary
parish church of the market town of Epping in Essex. The church is
quite spectacular, an example of beautiful ecclesiastical architecture
towering above the high street below. The church is one of the major
focuses of town life and is home to a large Christian congregation who
worship on a regular basis at the site.
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St.
Johns Road, Epping, Essex CM16 5DN Map |
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| Wake
Valley & Pond Wake
Valley and the pond are one of the most
interesting and visited parts of the vast Epping Forest. Situated just
off one of the main roads that run through the forest towards the
market town of Epping the valley offers a series of great walking
tracks around the water area and off deep into the wooded wonderland.
This is an extremely popular spot.
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Epping
Forest, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| War
Memorial The
War Memorial is one of the central
features of the northern green area of Epping. It stands prominently on
the major thoroughfare that leads out of the town to the north towards
Harlow. The memorial pays tribute to the many men and women who
throughout the 20th Century made phenomenal sacrifices to defend the
basic freedoms that we enjoy today.
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Palmers
Hill, Epping, Essex CM16 Map |
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| Frinton-on-Sea Frinton-on-Sea is a small seaside town in Essex, in the
Tendring district. It
is part of the Frinton and Walton parish. Developed as a select resort
by Sir Richard Cooper and largely expanded after 1886. The area south
of Frinton Gates was laid out with detached houses set along broad tree
lined avenues and has preserved a unique local character. The Church of
Old St. Mary contains some interesting panels of William Morris stained
glass in the East window, designed by Burne Jones. With a
reputation as an
exclusive resort, Frinton retains an atmosphere of the 1920s and 30s.
Tree-lined residential avenues sweep down to the elegant Esplanade and
cliff-top greensward. The whole area was later purchased by a developer
with a view to building an exclusive seaside town for a quiet place
with sands and some wonderful art deco buildings. Small shops and
restaurants in tree-lined The main shopping street Connaught Avenue has
been dubbed the "Bond Street" of East Anglia that runs from The Gates
to the sea, it didn't get a pub until 2000. Frinton was the last target
in England to be attacked by the Luftwaffe, in 1944 Frinton
only has two points of entry by road, one being an unadopted road
coming from Walton-on-Naze in the north and the other being the
manually-operated railway gates at the level crossing of the town's
railway station, living inside "The Gates" is more exclusive than
outside.
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The
Council House, Triangle Shopping Centre, Frinton on Sea Essex CO13 0AU fawtc@btconnect.com tel: 01255 676666 A range of local information can be found at : Frinton Gift Boutique, 44 Connaught Avenue, Frinton ![]() Tourist Information Centre Princes Esplanade Walton-on-the-Naze (Easter and Spring Bank Holiday to Mid September) FRINTON CLICK Frinton & Walton Youth Football Club |
Tel: 01255 675542 | ||||
| Frinton Golf Club The trademark of the
links course, the ever-changing sea breeze, Frinton Golf Club
celebrated its Centenary in 1995 and can look back on a distinguished
past. The club retains the best traditional values and is proud of its
reputation of assuring a warm welcome to members and visitors alike.
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| Frinton Lawn Tennis Founded in 1899
as a private members' club, Frinton Lawn Tennis, ...
Anyone who visits Frinton tennis club, whether as a player or
spectator, won't forget
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| Frinton Summer Theatre | |||||||
| Grays |
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| Thurrock Museum This
extensive museum and gallery is housed
within the Thameside Complex. There are forty permanent displays and
twenty temporary exhibitions. In total there are more than 1,500
objects that interpret 250,000 years of Thurrock’s past. Highlights
include the oldest coin to be discovered in the region that dates from
75BC, the mammoths of Aveley, historic horse equipment, Victorian post
box and much more.
|
Orsett
Road, Grays, Essex RM17 5DX Map E-mail Thurrock Museum Thurrock Museum Web site |
Phone: +44 (0)1375 385484 - Fax: +44 (0)1375 392666 | |||||
Need Someone to Visit Mercia With?
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| Travbuddy.com | With over 43,000 members and over 185,000 "future travel" plans entered, Travbuddy is one of the largest services for finding a travel companion online. You can post your travel blog, photos and tips on the site too. For added peace of mind, the site also operates a system where members "vouch" for other members after meeting them in real life. They say there have been over 5,000 vouches so far and none have been negative. |
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| Colchester
Camping and Caravan Park A warm welcome awaits you at this beautiful touring park located just outside the historic town of Colchester "Brit |
COLCHESTER T: 01206 545551 |
| Coopers
Beach Holiday Park Enjoy a leisurely break at this relaxing Park on leafy Mersea Island, with stunning views across the Blackwater Estuary. |
MERSEA
ISLAND T: 0871 664 9730 |
| Debden
House Campsite Debden House Campsite, has attracted thousands of people from all over the world to its fifty acre setting, backing onto |
LOUGHTON T: 0208 508 3008 |
| Highfield
Holiday Park With Clacton-on-Sea's golden beaches, the famous Victorian pier, amusements, shopping, and the many exciting attrac |
CLACTON
ON SEA T: 0871 664 9745 |
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|

|
| FAMOUS
PEOPLE FROM ESSEX Birthplace of: Joseph
Lister,
Ian
Holm, John
Constable,
Dudley
Moore, Jamie
Oliver,
Ronnie
O'Sullivan, Roger
Penrose,
Alf
Ramsey,
John
Ray, John
Strutt - Lord Rayleigh, Edgell
Rickword,
Maggie
Smith, Sydney
Smith, Jack
Straw, Dick
Turpin,
Sidney
Bernstein,
Jilly
Cooper,
Noel
Edmonds,
John
Fowles,
Frank
Lampard,
John
Terry, Terry
Venables,
Alison
Moyet, Rik
Mayall,
Tony
Adams, William
Gilbert,
Graham
Gooch, Sally
Gunnell,
Damon
Albarn,
Nigel
Benn, Russell
Brand, Darren
Day, Richard
Madeley,
Keith
Flint, Barry
Hearn, Ross
Kemp, Richard
Littlejohn, Dermot
O'Leary,
Joe
Pasquale,
Denise
Van Outen,
John
Harvey,
John
Heenan,
Philemon
Holland,
Richard
Ingrams,
Ian
MacLaren,
Coventry
Patmore,
Ruth
Pitter,
Thomas
Plume, Samuel
Purchas,
Francis
Quarles,
Evelyn
Ruggles-Brise, Rodney
Smith, Charles
Spurgeon,
Alan
Davies,
Nick
Berry, Mark
Foster,
Ruth
Rendell,
Wat
Tyler, Wat
Tyler,
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