Places to visit in Essex

Whether you love getting active, prefer a gentler pace of life, or simply want to be wowed by wildlife. Explore the Essex coast and countryside and marvel at the beauty this county has to offer.

Planning your visit

Please make sure you check web pages for individual places before you travel, to see where is open and where you may need to book, as well as the most up to date information about visiting.

Couple with a black and white spaniel look out across the grey, green and brown salt marsh

Copt Hall Marshes 

Under leaden skies with a face full of wind there's nowhere like Copt Hall for refreshing the mind and blowing away the cobwebs.

Visit Copt Hall
Danbury Common

Danbury Commons and Blake's Wood 

The second largest area of commonland in Essex after Epping Forest, the open landscape at Danbury and Lingwood Common is great for long walks and wildlife spotting. As is Blake's Wood, another of Essex's hidden gems. This ancient woodland is colourful all year round.

Visit Danbury Common and Blakes Wood
Buttercups at Hatfield Forest

Plan your visit to Hatfield Forest 

Spring is a special time at Hatfield Forest as it begins to come back to life after winter. Look out for blossom beginning to appear, wildlife waking up and the beautiful sea of golden buttercups at Takeley Hill. In May we welcome the return of our specialist conservators – the Red Poll cattle.

Plan your visit to Hatfield Forest
Northey Island on the Essex Coast

Northey Island 

The closest you'll get to true wilderness in Essex. This remote island in the Blackwater Estuary is the site of the oldest recorded battlefield in Britain.

Visit Northey Island
Two girls running down the grassy slope at Rayleigh Mount

Rayleigh Mount 

The site of an early medieval motte and bailey castle, Rayleigh Mount is now an urban wildlife haven and offers sweeping views across the Crouch Valley.

Visit Rayleigh Mount