Top Things to do in Essex
Top Hotels in Essex
- 1. Hampton By Hilton London Stansted Airport
- 2. Novotel London Stansted Airport
- 3. Premier Inn London Stansted Airport hotel
- 4. Radisson Blu Hotel London Stansted Airport
- 5. Travelodge Stansted Great Dunmow
- 6. The George Hotel
- 7. Roslin Beach Hotel
- 8. The County Hotel
- 9. Premier Inn Thurrock East hotel
- 10. London Chigwell, BW Signature Collection by Best Western
Top 8 Ancient Ruins in Essex, England
Discover the best top things to do in Essex, United Kingdom including The Claudius Gateway, Saffron Walden Museum, Mulberry Harbour, Colchester Roman Wall, Balkerne Gate, Gosbecks Archaeological Park, Walden Castle, Jackson Road Potholes.
Restaurants in Essex
1. The Claudius Gateway
2. Saffron Walden Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Discover a world of hidden treasures in one of the country’s oldest purpose-built museums. This award-winning museum explores the archaeology, natural history and social history of north-west Essex and the wider world. Our collections include: Ancient Egypt, Archaeology, Ceramics and Glass, Costume and Textiles, Geology, Furniture and Woodwork, Local and Social History, Natural History and World Cultures. From stone axes to Samurai armour, Saxon riches to shields, spears and swords. You will also find toys, decorative arts, world cultures and even an Ancient Egyptian Mummy. At our family-friendly museum children can excavate in the archaeological sandpit, meet Wallace the Lion or explore the natural history discovery centre. With a rolling programme of special exhibitions, activities and events throughout the year, there’s always something new to see and do! Pic nic in our grounds next to the ruins of the 12th century Walden Castle or, walk to the centre of the medieval market town where you can shop, eat, relax and explore. There is a small car park and access for disabled visitors.
Reviewed By carolbB5171JA - Kings Langley, United Kingdom
Wow! Wow! Wow! Visitors are in for a real treat here - expect the unexpected. If you have children under 10 this is the place to go in the summer holidays - on arrival there are coat pegs on the left hand side of the entrance containing "I Spy" colourful clipboards, alongside rucksacks and real hats!! Little boy on our trip had a real Safari hat on with his gear. The museum is a Tardis - everything presented and catalogued beautifully from Ancient Egypt, to Wallace the Lion, Natural History, Mediaeval Furniture - the list goes on and on. For children there is a fantastic tank of Stick Insects to count and admire and cases of birds, small mammals etc. I assume this is all covered on the "I Spy" pages. On the second floor this is also a sand pit play area and chairs and table for small ones to draw at - pictures and crayons provided. For senior visitors there is a lift to all floors and also chair lifts up about five stairs between floors. So all ages catered for. Disabled toilets and ladies/gents on the ground floor. Entrance prices are so cheap and I believe you can purchase an annual season ticket for £8 so you could repeat your treat as often as you like as it certainly takes up a lot of time to appreciate everything.
3. Mulberry Harbour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Cheekycockney190757 - Basildon, United Kingdom
The Southend Phoenix Caisson. In the lead-up, to D-Day the UK Government began construction on a Top Secret Project that would enable the allied invasion to literally take a harbour with them. The Project was The Mulberry Harbour, a floating concrete harbour built in sections and towed across the English Channel to the beaches where the initial invasion took place. The need of such a vast undertaking was because all the ports were very heavily fortified by the Nazi forces and to aid the advance through occupied France the allies needed to get large amounts of men, machines and supplies to the front line. The Southend Phoenix Caisson was originally built in Immingham on the banks of the River Humber; the section was in the process of being towed to Southsea, Hampshire in preparation for the D-Day landings when it began to let in water. The caisson was diverted by the admiralty into the Thames Estuary so that the leak could be investigated and repaired. Upon entering the Thames, it fell under control of HMS Leigh at Southend Pier, the radio operator directed the towing vessel to keep the main shipping lanes clear so it was decided to position the Caisson over the West Knock sandbank. Once it was in position the taps that flooded the structure were opened to allow the gradual controlled sinking to take place. However the caisson shifted position as the flooding process was taking place. This resulted in the caisson settling on the sandbank with three-quarters supported and the rest hanging over the edge of the bank. The stresses exerted on the unsupported section proved too great and the back of the section broke rendering it useless to the war effort. The hulk has been left where it settled to this day, it lays 1.2miles off the shore at Thorpe Bay and is clearly visible at all states of tide. This is when it can be walked to at low tide, but you have very limited to time to get there and back so you have to head off before the tide is fully out and only spend about 15 mins at the harbour before you make your way back to the beach. There is a coast guard station directly opposite the harbour and many rescue calls have to be made by those who get there timings wrong and get stuck as the tide comes back in. We visited on Thursday 18th June 2020.
4. Colchester Roman Wall
5. Balkerne Gate
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Acceptitasitcomes - Dublin, Ireland
This western part of the old Roman walls surrounding the town are most impressive. The Gate is a magnificent structure. It night the stretch of wall to the south of the Gate is illuminated which makes a stunning view.
6. Gosbecks Archaeological Park
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 12 reviews
