17 Jul Well-known landmarks to hidden gems: The best spots you should visit in Essex
Situated in the East of England, Essex is one of the country’s home counties, bordering the Greater London area to the south and southwest. Established in ancient times, it has a complex history dating back to the time of the Celtic tribes. The current location roughly corresponds to the area once inhabited by the Trinovantes, a tribe of Pre-Roman era Britain. Now, the county is known for its extensive coastline, picturesque countryside, urban areas and historical landmarks. Therefore, if you’re thinking of visiting the site, you can be confident that you won’t feel bored.
Here are some of the ones you should consider adding to your list.
Mountfitchet Castle
Visiting castles while you’re in the UK is a must. There are over 4,000 of them, built over several hundreds of years and scattered all over the country. This is exactly what makes visiting the region an absolute dream for history lovers looking to explore the mediaeval or Early Modern buildings. The Stansted Mountfitchet Castle is currently used as a living history museum. The castle was built on high ground and features a bailey fortification. The Norman Montfitchet family established it following the 11th-century Conquest. Before, it is believed to have been the site of several other forts used by early Iron Age people, Romans and Vikings.
The castle underwent extensive reconstruction work in the 1980s, after which it became a popular tourist attraction. Free-roaming chickens, other animals, and livestock have the castle grounds as their home. All of them would have been kept by the castle residents back when the Mountfitchet was in use as well.
Chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall
Dating back to 660, this church is among the oldest in England that is still intact. For several centuries, until the 1440s, the chapel wasn’t used. By that time, the building had been burnt and damaged, and while it was repaired, it functioned until the 16th century before beginning to be used as a barn instead of a church. It wasn’t until the 1920s that it was consecrated as a chapel once again. Each week, on Thursday mornings, there are regular public services, as well as special ones on Christmas and Easter. During the summer, there’s an evening service every Sunday in July and August, starting at 6:30 pm.
Saffron Walden
According to a recent guide, this small market town is the best place for prospective residents looking to settle in the East of England. The schools, bustling shopping streets, entertainment options, and the general atmosphere make it an ideal spot for those looking to settle somewhere new. But it’s a great spot for tourists as well. If you travel to London, look up Heathrow Airport parking beforehand, so you can ensure your vehicle is safe for the duration of your trip.
You can visit the remains of the Walden Castle, established during the 12th-century civil war known as the Anarchy. The Saffron Walden Town Hall is located inside a Tudor-style building completed in 1763. The ornamental Bridge End Gardens are also worth a visit. There’s a maze and an octagonal summerhouse on the premises. The Audley End House, one of the largest mansions in the entire England, is now open for visitors. As a prodigy house, it exemplifies some of the finest aspects of the Jacobean style.
And if you’re interested in the arts, you can’t miss the opportunity to have a look at the Fry Art Gallery, which displays the works of emblematic artists who were active during the twentieth century and in the present. Grayson Perry, Sheila Robinson, Tirzah Garwood, Bernard Cheese and Edward Bawden are among some of the artists whose work you can see here.
Cressing Temple
Between Witham and Braintree, there’s the Cressing Temple, close to the villages and civil parishes of Cressing and White Notley. The site is protected as an ancient monument, being one of the earliest and most significant possessions of the Knights Templar. It is now a popular tourist destination, so make sure to plan your trip by looking for accommodation and Stansted parking.
You can visit the Barley Barn here, the oldest of its kind that’s still standing anywhere in the world. It is open to the public, alongside the Wheat Barn, the Granary and the adjacent farms and gardens, offering a complete perspective of life during mediaeval times. The walled garden hosts weddings and is also an important spot for beekeeping.
Dutch Cottage
The oldest and smallest British council house features a timber frame and a traditional thatched roof. There’s only one storey, but there’s also a bedroom in the attic. While an inscription above the front door reads “1621”, historians currently believe that this isn’t the year in which the cottage was built. The date appears to be more recent, somewhere around the 1740s.
The lack of right angles is believed to have a superstitious purpose, preventing evil spirits from lurking in the corners. Since 1965, Dutch Cottage has been under the property of the local council.
Talliston House & Gardens
There are thirteen rooms inside the Talliston house, all featuring a different setting. In 1990, the owner purchased the household looking to transform it into something completely unique. This standard council house is now a wonderland for fantasy lovers. From Victorian retreats to New Orleans kitchens, Moorish bedrooms and mediaeval designs, exploring the Talliston House is a complete journey in and of itself.
The Broomway
This public right-of-way path was once known as Broom Road. It is over six hundred years old, and what’s special about it is that it changes completely depending on the tide. When it is out, the path is muddy and difficult to navigate, while at high tide, the pathway disappears into the sea. For centuries, it was the only way to reach Foulness Island. This was until the early 1930s when a road bridge was installed.
If you’d like to experience something a little out of the ordinary, you can try going on the Broomway. However, you must be mindful of your safety. Join one of the guided tours, and you’ll be able to cross during certain times at the weekends when weather conditions are favourable.
Essex is one of the UK’s most intriguing places, with many things to see and do. You must visit it at least once in your life.
