Overview
Start at Audley End manor house & gardens before arriving at the historic open air museum of Stansted Mountfitchet Castle. Enjoy historic Takeley and the National Forest before visiting Cressing Temple. Pass through Coggleshall to visit Hedingham Castle and Gardens. Take in Braintree and Thaxted before arriving at Saffron Walden.
Audley End
Enjoy the Jacobean manor house and former royal residence with views across the Essex countryside. Take in the servants wing, Victorian stable yard and explore the peaceful gardens. Nearby you will find the Audley End Miniature Railway where you can hop aboard and enjoy a ride through the woodlands.
Stansted Mountfitchet
Absorb over 900 years of history at the open air museum of Mountfitchet Castle built on the site of an original Norman motte and bailey castle. Tour the castle and working village to see how the Normans lived and worked. Enjoy a tour of the House on the Hill Toy Museum, the largest toy museum in the world, with over 80,000 toys on display.
Takeley
Take a trip to the historic village of Takeley on your journey through Essex and call in at the Holy Trinity Church. Just outside the village you will find the royal hunting grounds of Hatfield Forest, a great place to relax and explore amongst the ancient trees.
cressing temple
The Knights of the Templar formed the historic medieval barns at the centre of the rural estate – best visited when there is a special event on. You will also find a restored peaceful Tudor kitchen Walled Garden.
Coggeshall
The olde world village of Coggleshall contains Coggleshall Museum with its impressive lace collection, Coggleshall Grange Barn – one of Europe’s oldest timber framed buildings and the remains of a 12th century Cistercian Abbey. Take in Paycocke’s House & Gardens a Tudor merchant house built around 1500.
Hedingham Road
Hedingham Castle and Gardens encompass over 900 years of history. Time your visit to enjoy one of the many events at this stunning location including car shows, comedy and jousting spectaculars.
Braintree
Enjoy the bustling market town of Braintree with its District Museum and nationally important Warner Textile Archive. Fancy some shopping?, then head to Freeport, the outlet shopping village with its collection of shops.
Thaxted
Thaxted combines picturesque countryside and historic buildings including cottages, almshouses, fantastic guildhall and the St. John the Baptist church. Nearby you will find the iconic Webb’s Windmill with a small museum and spectacular views.
Saffron Walden
The bustling medieval market town of Saffron Walden is filled with independent shops and historic buildings including St. Mary’s Church – the largest parish church in Essex. Bridge End Garden with its sunken Dutch Garden and yew hedge maze is well worth a visit.
Also Nearby
