HOTELS IN ESSEX

Essex must be the most maligned county in England, more famous for its London-influenced fringes and distinctive accent than its rich historical past. Plan plenty of time for your short break in Essex; the county is much larger than you think.

The county town of Chelmsford may have great shopping, but the best place to stay is the oldest town in Britain, Colchester. People have been living here since the 5th century BC, long before the Romans ever set a sandal on British shores!

Hotels in Colchester are a great base for exploring the Norman castle and the distinctive Dutch houses, built by Flemish refugees in the sixteenth century.

For clean beaches and a true taste of the British seaside without the crowds, the 'sunshine coast' boasts the popular resorts of Clacton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, and the gentile style of Frinton-on-Sea.
Essex isn't called estuary country for nothing, as the River Thames flows through Essex, marking its progress with historic trading centres such as Maldon, famous for its salt, and Saffron Walden, which grew rich on saffron crocuses in the late 15th century.
Wherever you stay in Essex, in a seaside guest house or countryside bed and breakfast, history and culture is never more than a few footsteps away. Rolling countryside and fields are ideal for a cycling holiday in Essex, and it's always worth taking a break and visiting the local church - Essex has some of the oldest and finest in the country.