“A visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of some of the most important events in British history. Once capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation by Boudica, invasion by the Normans, and siege during the English Civil War.”

ESSEX DAYS OUT TIP : Nowadays there are lot of fun activities and events for children to take part in, and it can be a cornerstone of a long day in Colchester. As with any tourist attraction, you can find out a lot more with an official tour, and get to see places that the general public don’t. Ask at reception for details of tours, or email the resident Essex Days Out Blue Badge Tourist Guide, who is on the Colchester Castle Guided Tour Rota.

A visit to Hedingham Castle and its beautiful grounds is ideal for a family outing. During the summer there are a variety of special events including jousting tournaments which bring its colourful history alive. It’s not the biggest castle, but there are plenty of narrow spiral staircases, and a couple of floors with balconies, which really help to give the feeling of living in a castle.

ESSEX DAYS OUT TIP : After visiting the castle, pop down into the village to admire the architecture, and if it is a sunny day and you’ve got children, find The Bell Inn – there’s a big beer garden with some swings, and it serves excellent real ale from the barrel (click here for blog.

“.. a unique all-weather experience for the whole family. Three attractions in one place – a re-creation of the original Norman castle, an encounter with dinosaurs and a toy museum. There’s something for all ages..”

We went there during the 1990s, and had a great afternoon out with our boys.

A jewel in the English Heritage crown, with the main house, the recently opened Service Wing, the stable block (with horses!), and lots of open space, formal gardens, Victorian walled garden and greenhouse. With regular special events throughout the year, you can spend all day there!

Click here for a blog about a visit we made in 2010.

ESSEX DAYS OUT TIP : The main cafe can get very busy at peak times, so plan your lunch with that in mind!

“Marvel at the stunning woodcarving and elaborate panelling inside this merchant’s house. Built around 1500 for Thomas Paycocke, the house is a grand example of the wealth generated by the cloth trade in the 16th century. Outside, there is a beautiful and tranquil cottage garden.”

Essex Days Out Tip : Combine a trip here with a visit to Coggeshall Grange Barn (walking distance), and Cressing Temple Barns (10-15mins in the car)

“Layer Marney Tower stands high in the Essex countryside, with commanding views out towards the River Blackwater and beyond. Built in the reign of Henry VIII it was visited by his daughter, Elizabeth. You can climb to the top of the Tower , and from there you can see the church, outbuildings, play area and gardens, and wildlife walk. The tea room in the old stable serves light lunches, teas and cakes. Next door is the shop which has a selection of souvenirs, gifts, cards and local produce. A gentle place to visit on a sunny summer afternoon. There’s special events for the whole family organised throughout the year.”

We spent a lovely afternoon at their beer and music festival in May 2011 – click here for our blog.

“Set in the beautiful countryside of the Dedham Vale, this is the home of the eminent artist Sir Alfred Munnings The house has been beautifully restored and cared for and on display are many of his famous horse paintings The grounds are very attractive and there is a tea room and small gift shop.”

Essex Days Out Tip : a bit of a hike from the village of Dedham.

Copped Hall is on the edge of Epping Forest and can be seen from the M25*. It is owned by a trust set up to save and restore the house and its grounds. The house is open for tours and events at different times of the year. As it is all very much a work in progress, access is restricted, so make sure to check opening times when planning to visit.

*If you are heading anti-clockwise, as soon as you come out of the Bell Common tunnel, it’s on your right on the horizon.

Hylands House is a Georgian house which has been beautifully restored in recent years. It’s not the biggest house, and it hasn’t been completely renovated yet, so you are unlikely to take more than 45minutes to see it all. Fortunately, the stable yards, the gardens and the parklands make it a full half-day out.

Click here for a blog about our visit in early 2011.

You can spend an enjoyable afternoon at Ingatestone Hall which is still the home of the Petre family. There are eight principal rooms to visit and ten acres of gardens to wander around. Throughout the year there are different events taking place. The opening times vary through the year so do check before you visit. Teas and light lunches are served, and there is the chance to go on guided tours of the house

Cressing Temple was founded by the Knights Templar who built the two magnificent wooden 13th century barns. The barns are open to visitors during the summer, whilst the beautifully re-created walled garden is open throughout the year. The barns are the venue for many cultural events, including performances of Shakespeare’s plays, antiques fairs and craft fairs. There is a shop and a tea room.

We visited in the summer of 2010 – lovely walled garden, amazing barns, nice tea room.

“The redoubt is an anti-Napoleonic circular fort. It has commanding views over Harwich harbour. There are eleven guns on the battlements. Regular events and historic re-enactments are organised throughout the year.”

Harwich has a fascinating history and you could also visit the Ligthhouse, the Victorian lifeboat House and the H’penny Pier.

We went there about 10 years ago when there was a Napeolonic re-enactment – lots of redcoated riflemen : it was like being in the middle of an episode of Sharpe!

“One of the finest surviving medieval barns in eastern England, tree-ring dated to the mid-15th century, with a breathtaking aisled interior and crown post roof, the product of some 400 oaks.”

Owned by English Heritage the barn is off the main tourist trail. However, if you are touring in the Saffron Walden area it will be worth a visit. It has restricted opening hours so check before you travel.

Coalhouse Fort is a Victorian coastal defence fort set in parkland next to the river Thames at East Tilbury. It was completed in 1874, to defend the approaches to London from the threat of invasion from France. Not all areas of the Fort are open to the public but regular open days and events are held throughout the year. Guided tours are available on these days.

Set in Epping Forest the lodge was built for Henry VIII as a viewing platform for his guests during royal hunts.
It’s now open as a museum to the public throughout the year .It is on three floors and is filled with lots of exhibits and activities to interest the whole family. There is a new visitors centre and tea room under construction. There is a full programme of events and activities throughout the year.

Set in the middle of the Victorian suburbs of Colchester this is an example of late Elizabethan playfulness. It was built for banquets and was later converted into a mill . It still has a working watermill.

ESSEX DAYS OUT TIP : A visit here could be part of a day out in Colchester visiting the towns castle and museums – and it’s close to the famous white wooden church. You can also walk through to see another couple of mills as you head towards the Colne – click here.

One of Europe’s oldest timber-framed buildings, the barn has an astonishing cathedral-like interior. There is an exhibition of local woodcarving and tools. Combine a trip here with a visit to Paycockes in Coggeshall, also owned by the National Trust, and Cressing Temple Barns just outside Braintree.