What to do in Essex

Lay your picnic rug down and stretch out on the grass as you gaze across the River Colne at Colchester Castle Park. Behind you rises the impressive Colchester Castle, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Divided in two by a Roman wall, the Victorian style park features a lower and upper areas with different purposes. Come to relax, exercise or play alongside throngs of Colchester locals.

The opulent lifestyles of Britain’s wealthy earls and lords have been frozen in time at the immaculately restored Audley End House and Gardens. Wander through the formal gardens, visit horses in the estate stables or tour the living quarters of its former residents. With plenty of fun activities aimed at children, a day exploring the grounds of Audley End House is perfect for the whole family.

Straddling a ridge on the outskirts of London, Epping Forest is one of Britain’s most revered patches of woodland. In 1882, when Queen Elizabeth proclaimed the 600 acres (243 hectares) known as Epping Forest to be the people’s forest, the area became a destination for leisure seekers. Today, the tradition continues with locals and visitors to the region using the forest for hiking, bird-watching and mountain biking.

Visit Colchester Zoo for a delightful family day out. Observe frolicking Patagonian Sea lions as you travel beneath them through an underwater tunnel. Board the Madagascar Road train to cross the lemur enclosure and catch one of the many daily feeding sessions and falconry exhibitions.

Clamber up the Layer Marney Tower for views across the Essex countryside and the River Blackwater. The tower has over 500 years of history to discover and is filled with historic artifacts and relics. When the weather permits a stroll around the gardens or along the Wildlife Walk is a great way to spend an afternoon in Colchester and a great way to see some local bird life around the Blackwater Estuary.