Days Out in Essex

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From grand stately homes to forts built by Henry VIII, a day out in Essex is an adventure for all the family.

Travel back to the 1880s at Audley End House & Gardens with the beautiful gardens, bustling service wing and stables and an eclectic mix of summer events. Then at Tilbury Fort discover how London has been defended through the ages.

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Places to visit in Essex

Audley End House & Gardens offers things to do for all the family:

  • The Service Wing recreates life "below stairs" in the 1880s
  • The Parterre Garden - glorious seasonal blooms and formal planting
  • Cart Yard Café - relax with tea and scones whilst the little ones play

Places to visit : Essex

Audley End House and Gardens
Audley End House and Gardens

One of England's finest country houses, Audley End is also a mansion with a difference. Enjoy a great day out.

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Hadleigh Castle
Hadleigh Castle

The romantic ruins of a royal castle overlooking the Essex marshes. Hadleigh was begun in about 1215 by Hubert de Burgh, but extensively refortified by Edward III during the Hundred Years War.

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Hill Hall
Hill Hall

This fine Elizabethan mansion features some of the earliest external Renaissance architectural detail in the country.

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Tilbury Fort
Tilbury Fort

Spend a great family day out at Tilbury Fort in Essex. Explore the magazine houses or the bastion magazine passages of this fort on the Thames estuary that has protected London’s seaward approach.

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Colchester, St Botolph's Priory
Colchester, St Botolph's Priory

The remains of one of the first Augustinian priories in England, founded in c.1100 and an impressive example of early Norman architecture.

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Lexden Earthworks and Bluebottle Grove
Lexden Earthworks and Bluebottle Grove

The banks and ditches of a series of late Iron Age defences protecting the western side of Camulodunum – pre-Roman Colchester.

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Events : Essex

Bringing Audley End to Life!
Bringing Audley End to Life!
Venue: Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Date: Sat 26 & Sun 27 May 2012

Spring is here and it’s time for tea! Come and visit Mrs Crocombe’s kitchens, and learn about the tastes and textures of a truly Victorian afternoon tea. From delicate scones to the original victoria sandwiches, come and share in Mrs Crocombe’s secrets.
Bringing Audley End to Life
Bringing Audley End to Life
Venue: Audley End House & Gardens, Essex
Date: Sat 2 & Sun 3 June 2012

Want something different to enliven your Jubilee celebrations? Pop in and see Mrs Crocombe and her girls, who are cooking tasty treats for a street party, Victorian style.
Cavaliers!
Cavaliers!
Venue: Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Date: Mon 4 & Tue 5 Jun 2012

Join us this Jubilee bank holiday as we recreate the pageantry of the Restoration period at Audley End, one of Charles II Royal residences!
Time Travellers Go... Royal
Time Travellers Go... Royal
Venue: Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Date: Wed 6 - Sun 10 Jun 2012

See if you have what it takes to join the ranks of royalty in our special royal-themed Time Travellers event. Enjoy games and crafts fit for a king or queen and meet some royal characters of times gone by.
Classic Cars for Father's Day
Classic Cars for Father's Day
Venue: Audley End House and Gardens, Essex
Date: Sun 17 Jun 2012

This Father's Day, treat dad to a special day out at Audley End, where a beautiful collection of classic cars will be on display. You could also treat him to lunch or an afternoon tea in the cafe!
A Day in the Life of Audley End
A Day in the Life of Audley End
Venue: Audley End House & Gardens, Essex
Date: Thu 21 Jun

Meet the people who bring Audley End to life. Take a look behind the scenes with one of our knowledgeable Room Stewards, get a guided tour of the stables with Stable Manager, Rebecca Holland and get hands-on in the gardens with our Senior Gardener.
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