Please click here for our new page for Essex B&Bs Hotels and tourist attractions with many more links to local accommodation and attractions to see in the area .

Essex - "County of Hidden Treasures"

Between London and the sea lies the ancient Saxon county of Essex. Traces of medieval times can be found in delightful small towns such as Saffron Walden, Coggeshall and Thaxted. Medieval industries, including weaving and saffron growing, created great wealth and financed many beautiful houses and fine churches. Close to the European mainland, Essex has been shaped by varied cultures and played a part in major historical events. The Romans made Colchester their capital while the Normans left their mark with castles at Colchester, Castle Hedingham and Stansted. All of these remain and are open for today's visitor. Within the last hundred years Chelmsford became the birthplace of a technological revolution when Marconi established the world's first radio factory.

With its long coastline, Essex boasts a real maritime flavour. The seaside resorts are perhaps best known. Southend, Clacton and Walton offer all the fun of the seaside and more besides. Southend has established a reputation for an exciting calendar of events throughout the year while in Clacton and the other 'Sunshine Coast Resorts', the emphasis is on traditional family entertainment. Both Clacton and Southend are famous for their parks and gardens and offer stunning displays in the summer.

Less well known is the quieter side of the coast where ports such as Marwich and Maldon have enormous character and historical interest. Coastal towns like Burnham-on-Crouch and Brightlingsea come alive with yachts during the boating season. Away from the towns, much of the coast is remote and undisturbed and of great importance for nature conservation.

Inland, ancient woodlands such as Epping and Hatfield Forests add interest to a landscape characterised by thatched cottages, timber-framed farmhouses and the unmistakable outline of windmills. There are some lovely country houses with beautiful gardens. Audley End House, Ingatestone Hall and Layer Marney Tower are amongst the finest and open regularly to the public. Essex remains a rural county with much of its land still in agricultural production. The rolling countryside is typified by golden wheatfields. Rural events and traditions are kept alive and offer the visitor an interesting day out. Market towns make pleasant places to browse or shop for local crafts and gifts.

Useful Numbers
National fares and enquiries	+44 (0)345 484 950
GER	+44 (0)645 505 000
LTS	+44 (0)345 678 765
Essex Traveline (bus and rail info)	+44 (0)345 000 333
Stansted Airport	+44 (0)1279 680 500
Population	1,287,600 (1997)
Tourist Information Numbers
Braintree Town Hall Centre Market Square Braintree Essex CM7 3YG	Tel: +44 (0)1376 550 066 Fax: +44 (0)1376 344 345 tourism@bdctownh.demon.co.uk
Brentwood 44 High Street Brentwood Essex CM14 4AG	Tel: +44 (0)1277 200 300 Fax: +44 (0)1277 202 375
Chelmsford County Hall Market Road Chelmsford Essex CM1 1GG	Tel: +44 (0)1245 283 400 Fax: +44 (0)1245 430 705 Web Site
Clacton 23 Pier Avenue Clacton-on-Sea Essex CO15 1QD	Tel: +44 (0)1255 423 400 Fax: +44 (0)1255 430 906
Colchester 1 Queen Street Colchester Essex CO1 2PJ	Tel: +44 (0)1206 282 920 Fax: +44 (0)1206 282 924 Web Site
Thurrock Granada Motorway Services M25 West Thurrock Grays Essex RM16 3BG	Tel: +44 (0)1708 863 733 Fax: +44 (0)1708 862 440 k.willson.tc@gtnet.gov.uk
Harwich Iconfield Park Parkeston Harwich Essex CO12 4EN	Tel: +44 (0)1225 506 139 Fax: +44 (0)1225 240 570
Maldon Coach Lane Maldon Essex CM9 4UH	Tel: +44 (0)1621 856 503 Fax: +44 (0)1621 875 873 tic@mdc.kemc.co.uk
Saffron Walden 1 Market Place Market Square Saffron Walden Essex CB10 1HR	Tel: +44 (0)1799 510 444 Fax: +44 (0)1799 510 445
Southend 19 High Street Southend-on-Sea Essex SS1 1JE	Tel: +44 (0)1702 215 120 Fax: +44 (0)1702 431 449
Waltham Abbey 4 Highbridge Street M25 West Thurrock Waltham Abbey Essex EN9 1DG	Tel: +44 (0)1992 652 295
Council conference contact Jonathan Rochford Essex Tourism County Hall Chelmsford Essex CM1 1QH	Tel: +44 (0)1245 437 547 Fax: +44 (0)1245 355 032 tourism@essexcc.gov.uk

Dedham -
Maison Talbooth

Boxted - Round Hill House		Nr Dunmow - Potash Farm
Earls Colne - Elm House

Nr Halstead -
Hedingham Castle

East of England Tourist Board

Tourist information on the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Herfordshire & Bedfordshire and Lincolnshire

Essex County Tourism

Please click here for our new page for Essex B&Bs Hotels and tourist attractions with many more links to local accommodation and attractions to see in the area.

Please click here for our new page for Essex B&Bs Hotels and tourist attractions with many more links to local accommodation and attractions to see in the area .