'Placing the artist at its core, Art Exchange is a space where art, artists and audiences can meet. Our programme of exhibitions, talks and events creates a platform for ideas to be exchanged and connections to be made.' This gallery, situated on Square 5 of…
Set in the heart of the Essex countryside, Birch Gallery & Tea Room is the perfect place to relax with friends. Enjoy the display of John Harrison's fine watercolours which include land and seascapes. You can also try your hand at 'Have a Go Art'. The gallery…
St Martin’s lies southeast of Colchester Town Hall, a spectacular medieval survivor with a massive truncated tower. Many reused Roman bricks may be seen in its exterior, especially in its tower. Although there is evidence of 11th-century work, most of the present building…
The extraordinary history of Coggeshall Abbey in Essex, a Cistercian monastery dating from the 13th century, has been revealed thanks to the efforts of a volunteer at the National Trust's Coggeshall Grange Barn. The Barn, which was once an integral part of the Abbey, is one…
Features large exhibition of Coggeshall lace. Working wool loom. Large display of historic Cistercian presence, including 12thC brickwork. Many old photographs on display and old video footage of past events. Powerpoint shows of old postcards. Displays and features change each…
The Town Hall site has been the focus of civic duties for more than 800 years. Colchester's first Town Hall, called the Moot Hall was built in 1160. The second Town Hall was built in 1844 and was a three-storey structure with a stone faced front. John Belcher designed the…
Cuckoo farm Studios was established in 1992 when a small group of artists moved in and began to turn this derelict farm into a suitable establishment for practicing professional artists to work from. Since then it has grown to house over 30 studios and prides itself on the…
Dedham Vale Vineyard is set in 40 acres of vines, woods and pasture on the edge of the Dedham Vale, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Sample the wines and wander through the vines as you enjoy this glorious part of North Essex. The vineyard is on the Essex Way with…
Go Bananas is one of the largest indoor adventure play centres in the South East of England with over 20 years of experience in entertaining children and Adults. Based in Colchester, Essex, Go Bananas have everything you need to entertain the young and old alike. Fun the weather…
The 900 year old Norman keep of Hedingham Castle stands in 160 acres of spectacularly beautiful landscaped gardens and woodland where the Lindsay family, descendants of the original owners, the De Veres, still live.Hedingham Castle is not just one place. Romantic, beautiful…
Jungle Adventure is a multi award winning (15 times) family run soft play adventure centre located in Stanway, Colchester. We have been established for 8 years and are the parents preferred choice of play centre for so many reasons. From the moment you step into the jungle your…
Kentwell Hall is Suffolk’s hidden gem and one of England’s finest Tudor houses that stands within the most extensive moat in the county. The house is reached by a 3/4 mile long avenue of ancient Lime Trees. Kentwell is not just a house but a family home that has been…
Excellent, beautiful, inspiring, surprising. These are the most frequently used words in the visitor's book of North House Gallery. People do not expect to see work of such quantity in the smallest town in the country. The exhibitions, which change roughly every five weeks…
Whether you are seeking inspiration to help nature in your garden, or the idea of a family day out in the heart of Constable Country excites you, come and enjoy free entry to our first dedicated wildlife garden. The garden is situated in the beautiful and historic hamlet of…
A newly opened art gallery located in the heart of the culturally vibrant town of Wivenhoe. The Sentinel is the mass project of local potter Pru Green. Many will have visited her exhibitions in her Park Road property, which featured the work of local artists and was held in her…
Visitors can enjoy walks on Essex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve; with stunning panoramic views across the reservoir and surrounding villages as well as superb views of the water’s edge from three bird hides. The nature reserve has a 900m accessible circular footpath…
Small museum on the site of the former air force base in Boxted with new exhibitions for 2022 in the recently opened display hall. Displays include the nose gearing mechanism from a P47 Thunderbolt, the largest piece of a B26 Marauder in the UK, the WW2 diary of the 386th…
At the eastern end of Mersea Island, at Cudmore Grove you’ll find a sandy beach, impressive views, grassland, meadows for relaxation and walks that will take you past interesting historical sites and an abundance of wildlife. The park is popular on hot summer days, with its sandy…
For over 50 years the East Anglian Railway Museum has been transporting visitors of all ages back in time to discover the unique history of the region’s railways. The site covers over 10 acres, you can explore our Victorian station, goods shed and signal boxes to see how…
This 200 acre nature reserve is situated on the banks of the River Colne with magnificent views over the Colne Estuary and saltmarsh. There is a great range of habitats from heathland, woodland, scrub to ponds and lakes with 9 hides to relax and watch the wildlife from. A…
Flatford lies in the heart of Constable Country, just a short walk from Dedham along the River Stour. It is primarilly managed by the National Trust, and also includes a small RSPB reserve. Most famous as the inspiration for some of John Constable's most well known…
20 acres of professionally designed gardens by Fiona Edmond in woodland decimated by the 1987 hurricane. Includes terrace gardens, Japanese garden, water garden, seaside garden, gravel gardens, and extensive woodland gardens hosting a wealth of unusual plants often of borderline…
High Woods Country Park is one of Colchester's best-loved beauty spots, with plenty of opportunities to relax, play and explore the large grounds. A walk or cycle in the park is a great way to exercise, with waymarked paths leading you through bluebell woods…
Layer Marney Tower near Colchester in Essex is the tallest Tudor Gatehouse in the UK, a magnificent building standing 80 feet tall within stunning grounds. The Tower stands on the shores of the river Blackwater, and construction was initiated by Lord Henry Marney in the 1520s, a…
A tree collection from all the temperate areas of the world set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape provides interest and enjoyment throughout the year at Markshall Estate. Follow the paths through the Arboretum, where you can see beautiful vistas and a host of exotic…
We are an independent, volunteer run museum which aims to give visitors an authentic taste of Mersea's unique island heritage. Permanent and changing exhibitions depict the islands history and life from pre Roman times to the present. There is particular emphasis on the…
Find out more about local wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change at this much-loved, family-friendly museum, housed in the former All Saints Church. Get up close to nature and explore the Natural History collections focussing on Britain…
Colchester's oldest Art Gallery. A listed Georgian building, The Minories is of local importance within the historic city of Colchester. The Victor Batte-Lay Foundation, over the years assisted by the ‘Friends of The Minories’ support group, have ensured the…
Each year a changing selection of 150 paintings and drawings from the museum’s significant collection of works by Sir Alfred Munnings is hung chronologically throughout eight rooms. From less familiar early apprentice poster designs to the explosive horseracing scenes for…
Over 50 years ago, John Wilkin began collecting the paraphernalia of preserve making and Essex village life. The John Wilkin Collection is now jam packed with artefacts! Get a real taste of Tiptree in the building where the famous jam was first prepared. Enjoy freshly made…
Beth Chatto Gardens in a beautiful outdoor space near Colchester. Covering 6 acres, these gardens have become world famous for their beauty and innovation, with planting led by Beth Chatto's mantra 'The right plant for the right place'. Original problem areas…
Colchester's Castle Park is a large, scenic and well maintained Victorian park in the heart of Colchester's city centre. As well as being a perfect location for a spot of fresh air, quick walk, or picnic the park also provides a perfect setting for a huge range…
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Constructed on the foundations of the Temple of Claudius, built when Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain, the Castle Museum today reveals many fascinating layers of history to visitors. Archaeological…
Colchester Zoo is set within over 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes and is home to over 155 different species, including the critically endangered Amur leopards, Black and White Ruffed lemurs and Bornean orangutans. Discover many different habitats from across the globe…
Firstsite is Colchester and the East of England's contemporary visual arts gallery. Housed in a spectacular golden building designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, Firstsite is both a gallery and community hub - showcasing a wide variety of impressive artworks from…
Hollytrees Museum is located in the beautiful grounds of Castle Park. This attractive Georgian town house, dating from 1718 houses the city's social history museum, showcasing three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts. Discover what family life…
The site of the Roman circus was identified in 2004 and represents the only known Roman circus in Britain. It was a monumental structure and it may have seated up to 8,000 spectators: it would have been used as a venue for spectator sports, including chariot-racing. It was built…