_edited.png){kind=small}
Essex
Just a short train ride from London, Essex is full of quiet charm, from pretty villages and bustling market towns to historic landmarks and ancient woodlands. Wander through cobbled streets lined with crooked houses, explore stately homes and old castles, or stop by one of the county’s award-winning vineyards. Local producers thrive here too – from wines made just down the road to ice cream crafted in Saffron Walden, a true taste of the county on our menus and in our glasses.
History and Heritage
Essex carries a history woven through its ancient lanes, waterside towns, and landscapes that hold more stories than they show. Near Saffron Walden, the grand symmetry of Audley End House sits alongside the quieter charm of Bridge End Garden and the medieval streets clustered around St Mary’s Church, where centuries feel close at hand. Travel on toward Dedham Vale, where the River Stour threads through water meadows immortalised by John Constable, and villages like Dedham weave the county’s artistic legacy into the rhythms of everyday Essex life.
​
Close by - The Cricketers and The Crown
Art and Music
Essex has a creative pulse that shows itself in the market towns and villages that know how to nurture it. In Saffron Walden, there are art filled studios and galleries, with a music scene covering everything from folk sessions to acoustic artists. Dedham Vale, John Constable's birthplace, the landscape that inspired the artist still shapes the work of painters, makers, and performers who draw on its calm, rural character. Across these communities, creativity is part of everyday life—shaped by the places themselves, supported by local people.
​
Close by - The Eight Bells and The Red Lion
​
.jpg)
Essex Villages
Essex villages carry a charm that comes from their mix of history, countryside, and character. Wander through places like Finchingfield or Thaxted, where greens, windmills, and cottages take you back in time. Lanes twist past churches and farms, and the local pub sits at the heart of village life. Each village has its own story. Villages are always best explored on foot - try our Tree line Trundle walking route to explore Clavering, home to the The Cricketers.
​
Close by - The Cricketers
and The Eight Bells
Market Towns
Essex market towns blend heritage with a lively, everyday bustle. In places like Saffron Walden, Halstead, and Coggeshall, historic streets open onto busy squares where traders set up stalls much as they have for centuries. Independent shops, cafés, and weekly markets keep these towns attractive to visitors, while old guildhalls, timber-framed houses, and medieval churches give them a distinct charm. Each town has its own pace, shaped by local makers, growers, and long-standing traditions. Together, they show how Essex’s past and present sit side by side comfortably.
​
Close by - The Eight Bells and The Cricketers
Places to visit
Essex offers places to visit that are varied yet contribute to the county’s easy charm. Explore the Constable landscapes around Flatford and East Bergholt, or the riverside paths that wind through Maldon and Heybridge. Wander Colchester’s historic centre, where layers of Roman and medieval life still shape the town, or head to quiet villages and country parks for gentler days out. Whether you’re drawn to history, open countryside, or simply a good walk - you'll find it near one of our pubs.
​
Close by - The Eight Bells, The Angel Inn
and The Red Lion