"Essex and its Villages" Top 5 Page for this destination Essex by alucas

Essex Travel Guide: 633 reviews and 1,325 photos

This page will be permanently under construction as I add places locally.

Essex is really a county of two halves. There is the flat vast sprawl of over-developed towns and industry towards the Thames and London, and the farmlands and villages of North-East Essex. The border between the two is blurred somewhere in the middle, but as the towns expand outwards the pretty villages are gradually being swallowed up.

Colchester

Colchester Castle

The largest town in north Essex is Colchester, recognised as the Oldest Recorded Town in Britain and the original Roman capital here. See my pages on Colchester for some information on Roman Colchester, its role in the Civil War, and places to see.

The Villages

North-East Essex

Some of the local villages and towns have quite a history of their own. I'll be adding to my pages over time as and when I take some pictures. They are all shown on this map, but it's a bit hard to read !

Have a look at my pages on

Coggeshall
Feering
Great Tey
Goldhanger
Messing
Tollesbury

....

(Still to be written)

Dedham
Finchingfield
Great Bardfield
Kelvedon
Maldon
Wakes Colne and Chappel

and more !

Some of the villages aren't worthy of a page to themselves, so I will write about them as "Off the Beaten Path" tips. E.G. Layer Marney, and Terling.

Intro Updated Jul 30, 2006
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Reviews (6)

Castle Hedingham Off The Beaten Path (5)

Castle Hedingham is a small village in the north of Essex, and, naturally, it has a castle. Not just a castle, but a... more travel advice

Terling - a quiet little village. Off The Beaten Path (5)

Terling is a small village just north-east of Chelmsford. Close to the cluster of houses lies Terling Place, home of the... more travel advice

Gentile Dovercourt Off The Beaten Path (5)

Dovercourt is definitely a "gentile" seaside town. You won't find much in the way of cafes or amusement arcades - as you... more travel advice

Colchester Castle Things to Do (1)

Visit Colchester castle, and learn about Britain's oldest recorded town, the early years of the Romans in Britain, and... more travel advice

Travelogues (5)

1 - 4 of 5

Comments (18)

Nemorino Dec 13, 2007 at 2:46 PM Report Abuse

Amazing that after eight or nine centuries a descendent of the de Vere family still owns the keep of Castle Hedingham. That's over two dozen generations, at least.
gilabrand Nov 5, 2007 at 5:51 AM Report Abuse

I like the architecture. Maybe someday I will get past London...
jo104 Sep 21, 2007 at 3:48 AM Report Abuse

Hmmm perhaps I should consider visiting Essex soon looks like you have some interesting places around
cnango Sep 3, 2007 at 5:57 PM Report Abuse

Your hometown looks AWESOME. Gr8 pics & OTBP tips like only a local would know. Tudor Architecture, ancient castle......and I was proud of my "historical" San Clemente dating al the way back to the 1920's hahaha Nancy
kymbanm Jun 11, 2007 at 12:30 PM Report Abuse

Well, if you can make it to Em's meet near Boston this September ... I already bought my ticket AND booked accomodations :) So I WILL be at THAT one! Open door to you and Liz if you even make it to the American Southwest/Route 66!
JessH May 7, 2007 at 3:01 AM Report Abuse

Hi Andrew! Great tips here, as usual, very good info and nice photos. Looks like a lovely area to live in... shame that the girls have such a "bad reputation" ;-) Greetings from the desert / Jess
Gili_S Apr 29, 2007 at 10:55 AM Report Abuse

Nice Essex page & photos. It seems you always have good weather ;-)
sue_stone Apr 2, 2007 at 12:17 AM Report Abuse

So that's what the fuss is all about!
poons Feb 2, 2007 at 2:39 AM Report Abuse

haha touche. Yes I should get myself one of those fridge magnets too :o)
Dabs Dec 24, 2006 at 10:44 AM Report Abuse

So sorry to hear that, I guess visions of figgy pudding will have to dance in your head along with the sugarplums tonight! I'm hoping for some prime rib and Yorkshire pudding for dinner :-)