Essex

Classical and Cool

With its amazing history and edgy cultural scene,
Colchester is fast becoming one of the country's
most unforgettable destinations. firstsite, a new
contemporary art gallery in a distinctive gold building,
due to open in early 2009, will also be home to the
largest public collection of Latin American art in
Europe. firstsite reflects the dynamic contemporary
arts and music scene in this cosmopolitan university
town - with its narrow shopping lanes, stylish street
cafes, individual galleries and bookshops.

Colchester was once the Roman capital of Britain,
and incredibly you can still see the vaults of the
mighty temple of Claudius under the great Norman
castle keep. Other buildings will grab you too, the
magnificent town hall, the huge ‘Jumbo' water tower,
and a brand new 10,000 seater community
stadium - great for gigs and events.

Out in the fresh air, why not take a picnic in the
beautiful Victorian Castle Park or in High Woods
Country Park - where the kids can run wild in over
300 acres of woodland, lake and wildflower
meadows. Or make time to visit the elephants at Colchester Zoo Close at hand is
the picturesque Dedham Vale, Beth Chatto's famous gardens (Elmstead Market)
and the medieval wool towns, just over the border in Suffolk.

Things to do in Summer

Here are some great reasons to zip up to Britain's oldest recorded town by train
now the warmer weather has arrived.

Snatch a rare chance to see priceless 2,000 year old terracotta treasures from
Ancient China at the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition 'Guardians to the King' at
Colchester Castle Museum (19 July to 2 November). Also at the museum, hear
tales of army life in the Han Dynasty - told by 'Chinese warriors' of the Yellow Earth
Theatre (19-20 July and 28 July to 1 August). Mould your own piece of history in clay
at a fun workshop 'Make your own Terracotta Figure' (4-8 August).

Head off to Colchester Zoo, where the orangutans are having a swinging time in
their new £1.75 million enclosure. Linger in the loo at Lion Walk, the quirky venue
for Colchester's fantastic archaeological and architectural heritage, seen through
the eyes of artists who have recently installed artworks.

Voucher Offers

Check out the special offers, including 2 for 1 vouchers at top 
Colchester attractions: Colchester Zoo.

Travel by Train Offers

Guardians to the King (Colchester Castle Museum) - save 33% on admission with
a travel by train deal. Colchester Zoo - an easy day out with inclusive train travel,
bus link and zoo admission for one great value price. Click here for our full listing
of travel by train offers

Colchester Station

Five trains per hour (two on Sundays) from London
Liverpool Street (1 hour).

Further Information: www.visitcolchester.com

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Essex Villages - Escape and Explore

Freewheeling in the glorious outdoors on a
summer's afternoon is the ultimate way to unwind.
What you need is somewhere idyllic you can reach in
just half an hour of jumping on the train with your
bike, or even hiring one when you get there.

Trains go directly to the heart of rural Essex - pure
cycling and walking heaven, with its rolling
countryside, winding rivers and quiet lanes. Pick up
the Cycle Essex guide from any local Tourist
Information Centre - for nine maps of scenic circular
routes, including traffic-free sections and shorter
rides for families. One minute you can be riding into
beautiful villages, such as Finchingfield and
Birdbrook, with colour-washed houses and
traditional pubs - the next exploring historic market towns such as Coggeshall or
Braintree, with their ancient timbered buildings, coffee shops and fascinating
museums. Cycling in Essex, you'll come across castles, barns, windmills, craft
centres, ancient woodlands and much more - all highlighted on the Cycle Essex
maps. You can hire a bike at the 100 acre Great Notley Country Park and Discovery
Centre (Braintree), before heading west on the traffic-free Flitch Way, perhaps
pausing for a picnic at Rayne's old railway station.

If bargains are more your bag, you can simply jump on the train at Liverpool Street,
and off again at Braintree Freeport (just before the main stop) to discover serious
designer discounts at Freeport Shopping Village. Essex has England's longest
county coastline and meandering river estuaries teeming with wildlife. Chill out in
lazy riverside pubs, and watch majestic Thames Sailing Barges on the River
Blackwater at Maldon. Sample the fare in one of the excellent fish restaurants in
Burnham-on-Crouch - the ‘Cowes of the East Coast'. Take a wander through
historic streets and the yacht harbour before jumping on the train back to London.

Voucher Offers

Check out the special offers, including 2 for 1 vouchers at top Essex
attractions: Colne Valley Railway, Kelvedon Hatch Secret Bunker 
and Layer Marney Tower.

Essex Stations

Chelmsford: Five trains per hour (two on Sundays) from London Liverpool Street
(35 minutes). Bus link to Maldon. Braintree: One train per hour (with easy change
on Sundays) from London Liverpool Street (1 hour, 5 minutes). Burnham-on-
Crouch: One train per hour from London Liverpool Street (1 hour, 10 minutes).

Further Information:
Real Essex - www.realessex.co.uk
Braintree - www.enjoybraintree.co.uk
Maldon - www.maldon.gov.uk

Southend is one of the region's best shopping locations, with
top-name stores, stylish boutiques and colourful markets