Essex is a county that directly borders London to the east. Apart from its proximity to the capital, it also makes for an excellent weekend break. Especially for those who are looking to escape the city & head to the English countryside. Although, it is commonly known for the reality show ‘The Only Way is Essex’, you’ll be pleased to learn that this county has far more to offer its visitors, away from the glitz & glam the show portrayed.
Harry was fortunately born & raised in Essex, therefore all the recommendations you will find in this guide below, are coming from a local.
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Visit Essex who hosted us during our stay & organised many of the awesome activities we are going to share below. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.
When is the best time to visit Essex?
Essex is a great place for a weekend escape all year round, there really is no ‘perfect’ time to visit. If you would prefer to visit during quieter periods, then perhaps try to avoid the peak of summer July – August. Also be aware of any bank holidays, as these weekends will likely be busy too. We always advise to travel anywhere in Spring or Autumn, as you’re most likely to experience places with fewer people.
How to get there/around?
Firstly, if you are travelling from London, then the easiest way to reach Essex is to navigate to the tube Central Line & sit on it all the way to Epping which is at the end of the line, heading eastbound. Epping is in the heart of rural Essex & you will be able to visit many of the spots we’ll discuss from this lovely market town.
Once in Essex you could take advantage of the great public transport system, or if you have a car that is an even better option for reaching some of the more rural areas.
Where to stay in Essex?
On our recent visit to Essex, we went Glamping at Lee Valley Campsite in Sewardstone, in one of their adorable Peaky Pods. The campsite is a great option for those wanting to explore rural Essex, but also have the option to head into central London, as it is wedged between the two, in the Lee Valley. There is a bus stop right outside the campground with buses heading towards Walthamstow, from there you can take the tube to Central London.
The Peaky Pods are fully equipped with kitchen, bathroom, cosy bed (of course) & a beautiful outdoor terrace, looking out onto the surrounding forest. We were particularly impressed by how spacious the cabins are, it hardly felt like we were glamping.
Day 1: Epping Forest
Epping Forest
Epping Forest is one of the England’s largest forests, stretching over 6,000 acres from East London to just north of Epping. This is an ancient woodland, home to some of Britain’s rare & important species. As you can imagine, within the forest there are many walking trails to enjoy. On a hot summer’s day, this is the perfect place to take shelter underneath the cool canopy of the trees.
Furthermore, a walk that we suggest starts in Epping at this location & meanders through a section of the forest. There are a couple of different trails to follow from here, so just pick whichever suits you. Note that it is paid parking at this location & you can only pay by app.
This area of the forest is truly beautiful, keep an eye out for Deer as you walk along the footpaths. Just off the trails you will find fallen trees & openings in the canopy that allow the sun to beam down to the forest floor. This makes for some really stunning photos.
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge
Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge is also located within Epping Forest, just a short drive away from our previous location. You can park here during your visit. The Tudor lodge was built in the 16th Century by King Henry VIII & was made to be a grandstand to observe the hunts across Epping Forest. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth’s I, she used the hunting lodge for the same purpose, however definitely applied to renovations to its original structure. Today it is a Grade II listed building & houses a museum.
Moreover, whilst the lodge itself is a remarkable building to admire & take photos of. There are also some fantastic walking trails that trickle off into Epping Forest from here. One in particular, follows a path towards a gorgeous lake named, Connaught Water. You can follow the path around the circumference of the lake, taking in the beautiful views along the way. This is also a great spot to take a picnic & enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine.
If you don’t fancy a picnic, right next to Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge is a rustic looking cafe called Butlers Retreat, stop here to enjoy a spot of lunch & a cup of tea. The setting is wonderful, under the shade of the trees & with views out onto Epping Forest.
Read more about Things to do in Epping Forest.
Dinner Reservations
Whilst Essex boasts many top restaurants, we highly recommend that you check out The Garden Room at Down Hall just outside of Hatfield Heath. The restaurant is part of the hotel, which is housed within a beautiful stately home in the Essex countryside. We would recommend going for a steak, it was cooked to perfection & the staff at the restaurant couldn’t do enough to ensure we had an enjoyable meal.
Day 2: The Lee Valley
The Lee Valley Regional Park
The park has many spots to get outdoors in nature & embark on some rural walking trails. Its proximity to London, also makes it a great spot to enjoy even on a day trip, if you fancy escaping the city for a short while but can’t commit to a weekend. If you choose to stay at the Lee Valley Campsite, you’ll have the below spots on your doorstep too.
Lee Valley White Water Centre – For the adrenaline junkies, this is the White-Water Rafting course that was used during the London 2012 Olympic Games, so it is certainly worth giving it a go, if you dare! There are different sessions to choose from ‘Rafting Unleashed’ & ‘Rodeo Rafting’, the former being ideal for beginners & the latter for those who have tackled the course before. The experience is around an hour & a half of pure adrenaline fuelled fun; you will be dying for more by the end of it. This was definitely a highlight of our stay in Essex & we would 100% return for more.
Prices start from £60 per person & include all equipment. Just bring your swimmers & a towel. You can book your session here.
Waltham Abbey & Gardens
Waltham Abbey is also only a stone’s throw away & was once one of the largest Augustinian Abbey’s in the country. The Abbey itself provides a picturesque backdrop for some photos, & the gardens are a tranquil escape to sit back & relax in. Again, this is another fabulous spot for a picnic in the sunshine.
Read more about Waltham Abbey Gardens.
BONUS LOCATION:
Greensted Church – is situated is buried deep within the Essex countryside, just outside of the rural village of Chipping Ongar. It’s claim to fame is that its the oldest wooden church in the world, as well as the oldest wooden building in Europe. Can you believe it? Right here in Essex. The church dates back to 845 AD & has to be the sweetest church we have ever come across (& we’ve seen a hell of a lot)!
Inside the church you can admire the wooden structure & the trickling of light coming through the tiny stained-glass windows. It really is like something out of a fairytale & well worth a stop by on your way around rural Essex.
We hope we have convinced you that rural Essex is well worth a weekend trip, ideal for spending time in nature & getting some well needed relaxation in. For more inspiration & inspiration for your trip to Essex, you can visit out Instagram & the Visit Essex website.
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