Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of East Anglian Railway Museum

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ, Tel: 01206 282939, (7 miles, 11kms)

Colchester Castle is temporarily closed for 2013 for an exciting redevelopment. We will be creating new museum displays and improved visitor facilities. The Castle will re-open for Easter 2014. Visit our website for further details

46 Gainsborough Street, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EU, Tel: 01787 372958, (8 miles, 13kms)

Gainsborough’s House is the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough RA and shows an outstanding collection of his work. A varied programme of temporary exhibitions is also on show throughout the year. Gift, coffee shop and garden.

Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG, Tel: 01376 563796, (4 miles, 6kms)

A tree collection from all the temperate areas of the world set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape provides interest and enjoyment throughout the year at Marks Hall.

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RT, Tel: 01206 572422, Email, (7 miles, 12kms)

National Trust property, the mill was originally built as a fishing lodge in 1591 and features stepped "Dutch" gables. There is a millpond and some of the machinery, including the waterwheel which is intact and working.

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH, Tel: 01206 577067, Email, (7 miles, 11kms)

firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.

Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US, Tel: 01206 330784, Email, (7 miles, 12kms)

Magnificent Tudor building with the tallest Gatehouse in Britain and 16th century Italianate terracotta. Climb the tower, visit the gardens, outbuildings dolls house, church and farm animals. Cafe and shop.

Paycockes, 25 West Street, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1NS, Tel: 01376 561305, Email, (5 miles, 8kms)

Built in the 16th century, this attractive half-timbered house is a grand example of wealth generated by the cloth trade.

The Library, Market Hill, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2EN, Tel: 01787 881320, Email, (8 miles, 13kms)

Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL, Tel: 01206 331292, Email, (5 miles, 9kms)

One of Europe's finest zoos; with over 260 species and 50 daily displays including the chance to feed elephants and giraffes yourself!

Parkeston, Essex, CO1 2PG, Tel: 01255 242000, (7 miles, 11kms)

Harwich International Port - East Anglia's only passenger port. Daily sailings to key destinations - your gate way to Europe and Scandinavia.

The Causeway, Halstead, Essex, CO9 1ET, Tel: 01787 474451, (5 miles, 8kms)

Over 75 dealers displaying antiques and collectables on two floors of an impressive weather-boarded watermill, which became one of Courtauld's first silk weaving factories in 1826. Dickens Restaurant Cafe Bar on the ground floor.

Balkerne Passage, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3AA, Tel: 01206 282920, Email, (7 miles, 11kms)

Colchester's Roman Wall is the oldest and longest surviving town wall in Britain.

Aylett's School, Maldon Road, Kelvedon, Essex, CO5 9BA, Tel: 01376 571315, Email, (7 miles, 11kms)

Manorial history, artefacts from the Roman settlement of Canonium, agricultural tools and bygones.

Coggeshall Village Hall, Stoneham Street, Coggeshall, Essex, CO61UH, Tel: 01376 563003, Email, (5 miles, 8kms)

Exhibitions and photographs of Coggeshall's industrial, agricultural and social history. Coggeshall lace, working loom, archaeology, Coggeshall bricks, video footage and computerised postcard show. Town tours by prior arrangement.

High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ, Tel: 01206 282962, Email, (7 miles, 11kms)

The jewel in Colchester’s crown - an award-winning oasis of horticultural splendour boasting a children’s play area, putting green and boating lake.

Alderford Street, Sible Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3XH, Tel: 01787 469719, Email, (8 miles, 12kms)

One of the most complete historic watermills in Essex with most of the original machinery. Restored working water wheel. Open weekends in spring and summer.

9 Trinity Street, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3SR, Tel: 01206 573194, Email, (6 miles, 9kms)

The gardens of Marshall Legal LLP host performances by The Priory Players every summer. Set in the heart of Colchester, the gardens form the back drop to outdoor theatre.

Gosbeacks Rd, Colchester, CO3 4RN, Tel: 01206 282931, Email, (6 miles, 9kms)

The Archaeological Park is one of the most significant Iron Age and Roman sites in the country. Enjoy a walk and discover the highlights of the site with the interpretation boards around the Park.