Essex visitor information

An Introduction to Essex

Essex, in spite of its proximity to London has many rural areas due to the Green Belt. Epping Forest and the areas to the north and east surrounding Colchester, Harwich, Chelmsford and Saffron Walden, where the county is rural, with many small towns, villages and hamlets largely built in the traditional materials of timber and brick, with clay tile or thatched roofs. The ancient town of Great Dunmow is now a traditional market town with histo

Things to do in Essex

Colchester Zoo is home to 260 species of animal. The county is also home to many historic buildings, including Hylands House and Estate, Audley End House and gardens and a museum in Colchester Castle. Also visit the Combined Military Services Museum that cotains many types of firearms and the Mson collection, which holds covert operation weapons.

Getting to Essex

By Car

The M11 runs through the west of the county. The county is under an hour from London. The larger roads are the A414, A12, A130, A131 and B1137.

By Train

National Express East Anglia provides a fast and frequent service to London Liverpool Street, whilst connecting major towns throughout Essex. 

By Coach and Bus

National Express run coaches to and from over 1,000 destinations throughout the UK, and a regular shuttle bus service operates from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street and London Victoria with services to and from Essex to Birmingham and the North. The main public buses are run by Arriva.

By Air

Essex is home to Stansted International Airport, which has rail and Coach links to many destinations all over the country.