Essex Days Out

This Dig Your Own Christmas Tree in Essex page has been a popular one over the last couple of years!

In recent years we’ve gone to Bullbanks Farm (Halstead Road, Eight Ash Green, Colchester, CO6 3PT) who have a good range and who can supply a decent stand and will trim the lower branches and drill in the little knobby thing to help the tree stay upright in the stand. It’s only five minutes drive from Mill Race Nurseries in Aldham, which has a lovely coffee shop and a huge range of christmas decorations. You can find them at Mill Race Nurseries. New Road, Aldham, Colchester, Essex, CO6 3QT.

Last year we went to Fred Smith’s Christmas Trees in Boxted, and ‘picked our own’. Actually, we left is a bit close to Christmas, and there weren’t many cut trees left, so we borrowed an electric saw and headed off into the farm and chose and cut down our own. His website says to bring your own spade if you want to dig your own. You’ll find him at 61, Straight Road, Boxted, Colchester, Essex CO4 5Qy, and you can also get seasonable veg off the farm.

Both Bullbanks and Smiths are just 10mins drive from us in the centre of Colchester (on a Sunday, that is!). Further afield a quick google highlights a few other places :

‘Christmas in the Easters’ aka Ambershire Christmas Trees is now online at http://www.christmaswrappedup.co.uk, evidently now limited to selling only trees, wreaths and garlands from the farm, but selling other stuff online. They’re at Easter Hall, Aythorpe Roding, Dunmow, Essex CM6 1PE,  and give these directions : “We’re south of Great Dunmow off the B184 between Aythorpe Roding and High Easter. When you get closer, look out for one of our giant snowman and Santa inflatables! If coming from Chelmsford use Barnston mini roundabout as your approach.”

Christmas Tree Farm (Rectory Road, Hawkwell, Essex, SS5 4JU) and are online at http://www.christmasfarm.co.uk/. Their directions :  “Off A127 between Rayleigh and Southend. Take B1013, signed to Rochford. Follow towards Hockley / Hawkwell Pass the Cock Inn Pub & The Lawn. Then turn right at mini roundabout into Rectory Road. We are approx 200m along Rectory Road. Adjacent to Clements Hall Sport Centre. FROM LONDON & SOUTH: From M25 JCT 29 or the A12 pick up A127 Arterial Road towards Southend and follow as above. FROM CHELMSFORD: From new A130 join the A127 Arterial Road towards Southend and follow as above.”

Close to the church where we were married, is Harold’s Park Farm Riding Centre (Bumbles Green, Nazeing, Essex EN9 2SF) which is primarily an equestrian centre, but sells trees as well. Their website is at http://www.haroldspark.co.uk/

Great Slamseys (Blackley Lane, Youngs End, Braintree, CM77 7QW) are online at http://www.greatslamseys.co.uk/. “We are south of Great Notley village on the west of the A131. From Chelmsford, take the A131, following the signs for the Essex Showground. Go past the showground and at the next roundabout (Notley Green) leave the A131 by taking the third exit (signposted to Youngs End). After 50 metres, turn right into Blackley Lane. Go under the bridge and take the first right, driving straight to the buildings at the end. The Christmas Tree barn is on your left. From the A120, at Braintree, take the A131 towards Chelmsford. Follow the Great Notley by-pass and at Notley Green roundabout, leave the A131 by taking the second exit (signposted to Youngs End). After 50 metres, turn right into Blackley Lane. Go under the bridge and take the first right, driving straight to the buildings at the end. The Christmas Tree barn is on your left.”

If you want your christmas tree delivered to your door, then you could try http://www.xmastreesales.co.uk/

If you can recommend somewhere, do post a comment!

More articles like this: | christmas, christmas trees