Things to Do in Essex
With the second longest coastline in the country, it can be easy to assume that most of Essex’s attractions are limited to the beach. However, there’s much more to Essex than that.
Essex boasts over 80 different nature reserves and is also home to the historic Epping Forest.
There are also several attractions that have come to define Essex’s reputation as a leisure hot spot, with Colchester Zoo and Southend Pier – the world’s longest pleasure pier – being amongst Essex’s most popular attractions.
Transport options in Essex
Much of Essex’s appeal also lie in its proximity to London, with the London Underground extending to Essex. The London Underground includes eight of Essex’s stations in its vast network, all of which are on the Central line.
These stations are:
• Chigwell
• Grange Hill
• Roding Valley
• Buckhurst Hill
• Loughton
• Debden
• Theydon Bois
• Epping
By car, it takes about an hour to get from Essex to London. All in all, Essex has 72 different train stations, making it easy to get around, no matter where you are in the county.
Shopping in Essex
Essex offers an eclectic shopping experience, depending on where in the county you choose to call home.
Places like Chelmsford offer a good selection of high street stores, as well as popular shopping centres, like the Lakeside Shopping Centre. Whereas, if you prefer your farmers’ markets, places like Colchester offer that too.
And it doesn’t hurt that London is practically next door either. Having renowned shopping hubs like Westfield within easy reach can certainly be an appealing prospect for the avid shopper.
Where are the best places to live in Essex if you’re looking to...
Live in the city?
• Colchester – a cultural hub of a city, Colchester is a place with much to offer someone with a passion for the arts. Home to attractions like the Mercury Theatre and the Firstsite Art Gallery, there’s no shortage of things to do in Colchester. The city is home to a number of large shopping centres, including the Lion Walk, the Culver Square Shopping Centre and Colchester Retail Park.
• Southend-on-Sea – as its name suggests, Southend-on-Sea is a coastal city, known for its stunning sandy beaches, including the likes of Westcliff Bay, Chalkwell Beach and Thorpe Bay. The city is also ideal for young families, with several attractions that cater to them, including the Adventure Island Theme Park and the Sealife Adventure Aquarium.
Live in the town?
• Rayleigh – is a largely rural town, perfect for those who are after somewhere slightly quieter to live. The town is known for its various country parks, notably the 50-acre Wick Country Park. The town also enjoys excellent transport links, with Southend Airport only 10-minutes away by train.
• Epping – a traditional market town, Epping is best known for its long running weekly market that dates back to 1253. The terminus of London’s Central Line, the town’s transport links lend themselves well to those needing to regularly commute into the city.
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