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Essex Holiday Cottages

These cottage companies provide a range of Essex holiday cottages and holiday properties for rent. Bookings start at around £180 and deals are available for a small selection of cottages. Visit the sites to get the most up-to-date information regarding pricing and availability.

Cottages 4 You - More than 20 Essex holiday cottages and self catering accommodation, situated in places like Danbury, Colchester and Southminster. Weekly bookings fall within the £300 to £1300 price band and all holiday properties have been graded with at least three stars.

Holiday Rentals - 20 Essex cottages provided by Holiday Rentals. Their properties include sea-front bungalows, country houses and modern costal apartments, some of which have been reviewed by previous holiday-makers. Bookings start at £150 for week-long breaks.

Holiday Lettings - Another 20 cottages in Essex from £180 (p/w). Their holiday cottages can be found in picturesque locations such as Brightlingsea, Saffron Walden and Frinton-on-Sea and range from Victorian townhouses to sea-front bungalows.

Cottages Direct - Around 20 Essex cottage properties and forms of self catering accommodation. Pets are allowed for most of them and a few accommodate smokers. Holiday bookings range between £200 and £470 for week-long breaks.

Essex

Essex is located in East England and is within close proximity to London. Although much of the county is built up and urbanised, there still remains large swathes of unspoilt, ancient woodlands and rolling farm land. Essex also features over 300 miles of coastline as well as the famous victorian resort of Southend, with its award-winning pier.

Epping Forest is one of Essex' most notable natural attractions and covers around 6000 acres. It is the remnant of the vast hunting grounds of Saxon, Norman and Tudor monarchs and consists of rough heaths and sunlit glades. The footpaths and way-marked trails are well-suited to ramblers and cyclists and allow visitors to truly appreciate this attractive region.

Essex is also known for its coastal belt of reclaimed marshes, running from Shoeburyness to the Blackwater Estuary. It also includes Foulness, Potton and Havengore. This area of Essex was reclaimed by Dutch Engineers in the 17th century. Like many other places in Britain, Essex' coastline is varied and intriguing, consisting of secluded coves and majestic sweeping beaches.

Northern Essex has roots planted deep in English history, with Roman fortress towns like Colchester, to Anglo-Saxon villages such as Langenhoe and Wivenhoe. It is a region of peaceful beauty, of water-meadows and willows while the counties coast is a labyrinth of mud-flats and winding creeks. This is a county as rurally diverse as it is beautiful.

Essex visitor attractions

See below for the most popular visitor attractions, outdoor activities and places of interest in Essex. We've included admission prices, entry times and booking information. Follow the links provided for further details.

Outdoor activities
The award-winning Colchester Zoo is a popular tourist destination, featuring an array of animals including leopards, lions, elephants and orangutans. There's also a discovery centre which allows visitors to handle insects and other species. The zoo is open from 9.30am to 6.30pm during summer months with 5% savings for those who book online.

Nature lovers may also want to visit Sea Life Adventure in Southend which houses a number of exotic species including seahorses, sharks and pipefish. Other attractions include an adventure play area for children and a cafe. Opening times are 10am to 7pm during high season and entry prices range from £5 to £6.75. Colne Valley Railway is also popular and includes a number of historical steam locomotives and heritage railway carriages. See the website for more details.

Food and drink
The 15th century pub, the Hoop is a popular watering hole and is set on Stock village green. It serves a selection of 4 real ales as well as traditional pub food - children are welcome. The ancient George Inn is also memorable and features an oak beamed interior and an open fire. It has its own house ale and serves other local tipples such as Adnams Bitter and Greene King IPA.

For good dining see The Pier in Harwich. Overlooking the sea, this eatery specialises in British seafood and features a large menu. Main courses are well-priced and range from £15 to £30. Chapters in Blackheath village is another outstanding restaurant and provides contemporary, British cuisine from an imaginative and vibrant menu. The a la carte menu is affordable and starts at just £8.95.

History and Culture
The award-winning Braintree District Museum is an important cultural attraction and exhibits industrial and prehistoric artifacts such as pottery and Roman pieces. Hedingham Castle is another major historical site of interest and dates back to the 12th century. It features an elaborate interior consisting of a vast banqueting hall and gallery. The exterior includes a picnic area and woodland walks. Opening times are 11am to 4pm and admission is £5 with concessions available for family parties.

Alternatively, see Tilbury Fort which is one of the best surviving examples of a 17th century fortification in the United Kingdom. It's set on the Thames Estuary and displays cannons and artillery barrels. Life at the fort is explained through an audio tour and there's a wealth of information regarding advances in engineering in the last 300 years. It's open from 10am - 5pm and tickets are £2.00 for children, £3.90 for adults.