For a relaxing break in a picturesque rural setting that has miles of inviting coastline and offers you the chance to visit London for the day, look no further than holiday cottages in Essex. The county boasts a variety of well-known towns as well as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and seaside resorts, making holiday cottages in Essex perfect for shopping, sightseeing and relaxing. Each season has its own temptations - winter brings glistening frost to the county’s ancient forests, while in spring and summer Essex’s famous gardens burst with colour, before being overcome with rustic hues in autumn.
Discovering the stunning beauty of Colchester is easy during any stay in a holiday cottage in Essex, thanks to the wide number of walking and cycling routes in the region. The most renowned walking route is The Essex Way, which begins in Epping Forrest in the southwest of the county and winds through phenomenal scenery for 81 miles before finishing in Harwich in the northeast. The many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that surround holiday cottages in Essex, such as Dedham Vale also provide an epic backdrop for walking and cycling, with routes that are suitable for all ages and abilities.
The picturesque county town of Chelmsford is bursting with an array of pretty scenery and historic architecture. Shoppers staying at holiday cottages in Essex can spend a day exploring the two undercover areas, which have a wide variety of well-known high-street names as well as smaller boutiques.
The 15th century Chelmsford Cathedral is one of the best-known sights in the city, which is surprisingly light and spacious despite it being the second smallest cathedral in England. Another popular city that can be visited whilst staying in a holiday cottage in Essex is Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town. One of the most popular attractions in the city is Colchester Zoo, which is home to 270 different species of animals including elephants, leopards, penguins and tigers. Other highlights of the historic town include Roman ruins, the Colchester Castle Museum and a variety of art galleries.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing day spent bathing and building sandcastles or for shopping opportunities, there is plenty to see and do at all of Essex’s seaside resorts. The county’s spectacular coastline features 300 miles of lush salt marshes, winding creeks and vast mudflats. There is a good choice of Blue Flag beaches when staying at holiday cottages in Essex, with Brightlingsea and Dovercourt boasting one each, while three can be found at Southend-on-Sea. The latter is also home to the largest pier in the world as well as neon coloured amusement arcades and the Adventure Island theme park, which boasts a variety of thrilling rides.
