Things to do in Essex

Europe's largest Norman castle is packed with treasures from Colchester's past - Neolithic pottery, ancient jewellery and the finest Roman vase ever found in Britain.

Sample crisp, fresh English wines grown and produced on the picturesque Mersea Island - where legend has it, the Roman's grew grapes 2000 years ago!

Climb the 111 steps of this historic tower for the most spellbinding 360° views of the Essex coastline and countryside.

The vibrant colours of beach huts stand beautifully against the golden sand of Brightlingsea's Blue Flag-winning beach - an idyllic spot!

Only 8 miles square this charming little island is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of life.

For such a small island Mersea has a remarkably rich history, this museum displays archaeological finds and recounts stories from residents past and present.

A little spot of tranquillity on Mersea Island, this nature reserve and sandy beach are the perfect place to simply stop and relax.

For traditional seaside fun, Clacton Pier is hard to beat. Ride the retro waltzers, tuck into fish and chips and play those vintage amusement arcades.

Gaze into the eyes of a majestic lion or come face-to-face with a humongous komodo dragon at one of the country's most popular wildlife attractions.

A nature lovers paradise; there's over 200 bird species to spot and a wealth of insects and rare plants to discover within these picturesque parklands.

Hunt for sea shells, build the tallest sandcastles and splash in the waves as they lap the golden sands of Martello Bay.

A traditional British seaside resort brimming with charm - relax on golden sands lined with colourful beach huts, hunt for shells or build massive sandcastles!

Enjoy a fun-filled day down at the farm; make friends with the animals, ride in a tractor-trailer and bounce and slide in the Play Barn.

A magnificent half-timbered house that's over 500 years old and that has a fascinating riches to rags story at its heart!

Feel the power and exhilaration of a kite as you speed along meadows or crash over waves - pure adrenaline!

Relive the glory days of the railway age at this fascinating museum which recreates all the sights, sounds and smells of a classic steam railway.

Clamber all over this gigantic climbing frame and overcome its challenging bridges, beams and obstacles for absolutely unforgettable sky-high fun!

Little ones will love making friends with the adorable farmyard animals at Barleylands and if they're daring they can even meet snakes, lizards and spiders!

A fabulous Tudor home that retains much of its original form - wander its oak-panelled rooms and enjoy high tea in its atmospheric parlour.

Ride all the traditional funfair rides, from thrilling dodgems to the classic carousel roundabout at Walton's fabulously vintage Victorian pier.

This chilling cold war relic is hauntingly well-preserved and lets you explore what life would have been like in the event of a nuclear war.

Release your inner engineer at this museum which explores all things mechanical from yesteryear - from petrol powered irons to gigantic steam driven water pumps!

This fascinating museum contains a wonderfully comprehensive collection of original designs and fabric samples from leading British textile manufacturers Warner & Sons.

Get ready for some serious racing thrills at this kart circuit - race your friends, overtake loved ones or encourage nippers to their first victory!

A fascinating journey into Felixstowe's past - see a mammoth's tooth, pieces of intricate Roman jewellery and nostalgic RAF uniforms.

Breathe in the sights, sounds and smells of vintage locomotives and their charming carriages at this award-winning country railway and museum.

Watch glorious hawks and owls soar overhead and see them up-close at this wonderful haven which provides care and rehabilitation for injured birds of prey.

A beautiful 500-acre park that's just waiting to be explored - run through wildflower meadows, explore fun-filled woodlands and even feed magnificent fallow deer!

Discover over 70,000 toys at this amazing museum including dolls from Roman times, retro robots and those must-have Star Wars toys from the 70's.

Take a journey into the ocean depths and come face-to-face with colourful clown fish, mysterious undulate rays and magical seahorses.

Soaked on a waterslide, thrilled by terrifying roller coasters and bedazzled by the haunted house - this is a day out you won't soon forget!

Discover the picturesque landscapes and historic buildings that have been forever immortalised, and made world-famous, by John Constable's sumptuous paintings.

Nothing like your everyday park - this one's filled with adventure! Clamber up a pirate galleon, go crabbing or jump into a play pool!

Over 50 years ago world-famous gardener Beth Chatto, transformed a dismal wasteland into a lush paradise. Today the gardens' stylish design is still a wonder!

Wander through 20 acres of lush gardens filled with tropical rarities from around the world - a wonderful escape from modern life!

The youngest cathedral in England is also one of its smallest, yet its mixture of historic architecture and contemporary art means it's wonderfully unique.

Children will adore meeting their favourite animal friends at this family farm park - they can even get up close to dinosaurs too!

The traditional beach town of Walton-on-the-Naze is surrounded on three sides by the sea and the Naze itself is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Sandy, peaceful and free from the hustle and bustle of nearby Clacton, Frinton offers a great alternative for a quieter beachside day out.

This popular sandy beach has earned the prestigious title of Essex's best beach, and with its cleanliness, safety measures and excellent family facilities, it's a well-deserved accolade.

Although Shoebury East Beach is a few miles away from Southend's attractions, its long stretch of sand and grass make it a popular spot for peaceful beachside picnics.

Just 8 square miles in size, charming Mersea Island is an idyllic escape on the Essex Coast - and a visit to West Mersea Beach is a must.

Brightlingsea Beach offers a slice of Old England with Blue Flag status to boot. Formerly a haven for fishing and shipbuilding, it's rich in history and is a hot spot for sailing.