The 10 Best Things to do in Essex (by a local)

Essex may be the most maligned area of the UK. Ask a random stranger about the county, and Essex girl jokes, and TOWIE will probably come up.

These fictions couldn’t be further from the truth. Essex is a historic place, home to the UK’s oldest city, ancient pubs and chocolate box villages. It is also a wild county, with meandering rivers carving through marshes which host rare flora and fauna. I’ve lived in Essex for over 30 years. This is my list of the best things to do in Essex.

Best Things to do in Essex – Survive in a Nuclear Bunker

Enter the passageway to the depths of the Secret Underground Nuclear Bunker in Kelveden Hatch.

In the 60s, things looked bleak. The Cold War was at its peak, the Cuban Missile Crisis dominated the news, and the Doomsday Clock sat at one minute to midnight.

Against this backdrop, the tiny village of Kelvedon Hatch harboured a closely guarded secret. Hidden beneath an unassuming bungalow in the Essex countryside was a concrete bunker designed to house the government of the day and protect them from nuclear fallout.

Today, we can explore this secret underground bunker. Guided by an excellent audio guide, visitors can descend the 130 foot entry tunnel into the bunker. The exhibits help visitors imagine what it would be like when the massive blast doors shut behind them.

See Wild Essex on Wallasea Island

The RSPB reserve at Wallasea Island is a fantastic place to see wild Essex.

The excavation of the recently opened Elizabeth metro line generated 300 million tons of earth. The RSPB shipped it to Essex to raise the land and create this specific intertidal habitat.

The island now has 6 distinct walking trails and provides a habitat for a multitude of marshland species. The island attracts many species of bird life, including rarities like short-eared owl, merlin and hen harrier.

Whereas it’s an enjoyable walk at any time of year, Wallasea Island comes into its own in the autumn and winter months when the migrant wildfowl return.

Best Things to do in Essex – Join a Witch’s Coven in Canewdon

The legend says, “When a stone falls from Canewdon Church, a witch has died and another is called”. This isolated village in rural Essex and its 13th century church has been associated with witches and witchcraft for centuries. Stories of curses, ghosts, witches and cunning men abound. The village’s reputation for witchery is so great that the Police reputedly cordon it off on Halloween to deter thrill seekers. Perhaps the miscreants could be jailed in the 18th century ‘lockup’, or maybe end up in the stocks on the village green.

Enter at your own risk and don’t run anticlockwise around the church at midnight lest you raise the devil.

Catch the Train Along Southend Pier

The Victorians loved a pleasure pier and Southend, being the perfect location for day tripping East Londoners, was no different.

Unfortunately, the Thame’s tidal range is so large, the steamers could only land and depart at high tide.

This resulted in the Southend Pier Company building the longest pleasure pier in the world. Another problem arose. The 1.3 mile length was too much for visitors to walk. The answer? A narrow-gauge train which still runs today. Visitors can learn about pier history in the museum, then ride the train to get fish and chips or an ice cream at the pier’s head.

Lose your Shirt at Romford Greyhound Stadium

For a proper Essex night out, Romford Greyhound Stadium is a must.
Experience the excitement as the dogs race around the track, and the punters scream their encouragement.

Alternatively, book a table in the restaurant and have dinner and drinks served to you as the action goes on in front of you. Staff will be on hand to take your bets and return your winnings without you having to leave your seat.

Racing happens 5 days a week with the restaurant open Friday and Saturday evenings.

Best Things to do in Essex – Cross the Causeway to Mersea Island

The sign says, ‘Danger when tide covers footway’, but there’s no water for miles. Then the tide turns and often covers the causeway connecting Mersea Island to the mainland. Cross the causeway (at low tide) and visit a unique island community.

See the multicoloured beach huts, eat local oysters, take a trip out to the ship which hosted the legendary pirate radio station, Radio Caroline.

Cycle on an Olympic Mountain Bike Course

Why hold the 2012 Olympic Mountain biking competition in Essex, highest point less than 500 feet above sea level? Because we can! The course built is considered “one of the most technically challenging courses in Olympic history.”

More than a decade later, the Olympic complex is open to the public. Visitors can ride the track where Czechia’s Jaroslav Kulhavy won gold.
Cyclists of all levels can enjoy the course with less technical routes for beginners. Experts can ride the Olympic track and take on legendary features like Deanes Drop, the Leap of Faith, and the Rock Garden.

You can hire bikes, take lessons, and warm up in the skills area.

Best Things to do in Essex – Visit Roman Colchester

Colchester is England’s oldest recorded town and once the capital of Roman Britain.

Walk along the ruins of the Roman city wall and enter Colchester through the Balkerne Gate, the main gate into Camulodunum.
Legendary British warrior queen Boudicca led a revolt which captured and burnt the town to the ground in AD60. A layer of ash in the soil, the “Boudicca Destruction Horizon” is still visible, (The George Hotel has a glass panel displaying it).

Colchester castle, built in 1079, is the largest Norman keep ever built. Its great size is because the Normans used the foundations of the original Roman temple. Today, it holds a museum with a host of Roman artifacts.

Have Lunch in England’s Prettiest Village, Finchingfield

Finchingfield is one of the prettiest villages in England. It’s the archetypal calendar village, with a duck pond, pastel-coloured thatched cottages and a village green.

Chill out with a coffee in this idyllic setting, or grab a pint at one of the lovely village pubs. The Fox on the green, a quirky 16th century coaching inn, does great beer and excellent food.

If you get bored photographing the picture perfect village green, spend some time on the history. The Finchingfield Lion predates the Fox on the Green, by about 100 years. The village church dates back to the 12th century and the windmill, the Finchingfield Post Mill, is the oldest in Essex. Outside the village, Spain’s Hall dates back to the Domesday Book, with the current House built around 1570.

Sail on a Thames Barge at Maldon

The distinctive rust red sailed Thames barge was a fixture on the waterways of Essex and London for centuries. These flat-bottomed barges were ideal for the shallow tidal waters of the area. The largest barges were seaworthy and used extensively to move freight around the southeast of England.

Recapture those days by joining a trip aboard one of the historic barges used for tourist trips out of Maldon.

While you’re there, take a walk along the River Chelmer to the statue of Byrhtnoth. This monument commemorates one of England’s oldest recorded battles, the Battle of Maldon, in 991 AD. The Vikings defeated the Saxons. A poem written in Old English recorded the battle’s story.

Where to Stay in Essex

Essex has a range of hotels to suit all budgets. Whether you want a luxury hotel, a historic pub or a beautiful apartment, Essex has it all. Here is a list of some of the best to choose from.

Marygreen Manor, Brentwood – 4* hotel with award-winning restaurant, close to the M25.

Funky Monk Hotel, Epping – Quirky 5* – ideally located for exploring Epping Forest. Close to Stansted Airport and motorways.

Camelia Hotel – Southend-on-Sea – Seafront hotel with an excellent restaurant

Wivenhoe House Hotel – Colchester – 18th century house located in Wivenhoe Park near the University of Essex Campus

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