Vacation Rentals in Essex

The beautiful county of Essex has so much to offer holidaymakers. Discover vacation rentals in English villages with a rich heritage such as Saffron Walden, vibrant cities such as Chelmsford or the traditional Victorian seaside town of Clacton on Sea. Countryside lovers will revel in the peace and tranquility of Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the north of the region, or walks along Essex’s long coastline. With so many different types of vacation destinations all in one county you’ll be sure to find the perfect vacation for you and your family in Essex.

Essex’s delightful selection of vacation rentals includes both attractive vacation houses and flats. Pretty houses abound, beautifully decorated with cozy furnishings. Near the sea you can enjoy a vintage style wooden vacation rental, typical of the coast, or one of Essex’s stunning vacation flats with views for miles over the ocean. Many vacation rentals in Essex have attractive gardens around them to play and relax in. No matter your needs, there’s the perfect vacation rental for you in Essex!

The exciting thing about a vacation in Essex is being able to walk through a quaint English village one day, explore a fascinating city the next, then relax on the beach or play in the arcades on the third day! The diversity of Essex is all part of the fun. It’s also an extremely accessible county. Essex is only an hour from central London, so it’s easy to reach from all of London’s airports.

Fancy visiting a incredible country park? Look no further than Great Notley in Braintree with 100 acres of parkland to explore, a wonderful wooden playground with a giant see-saw and climbing forest! Prefer a city vibe? Colchester offers you some historic gems to enthral and inform with its ancient castle, built on the site of Roman ruins, as well as the fun and entertainment of a town just waiting to welcome you, daytime or night time – don’t miss Colchester’s nightlife! Evening options include the Mercury Theater and some wonderful waterside bars.

Shopping in Essex is nothing short of spectacular. On offer are some superb shopping malls such as the stylish Braintree Village, a mecca for shoppers, with cafes and restaurants to recharge and refill before heading out again for more retail therapy! Looking for something more quirky? Manningtree’s ‘Quirky Old Stuff’ has a wonderful range of unusual and rare items for your home. Boutique fashion is also well catered for at Try B-Invogue in Epping which sells unique and exciting clothing and accessories.

For some truly excellent food you just can’t do better than Tim Ellen’s Flitch of Bacon Inn. Dunmow. This Michelin star restaurant offers divine dining including a super 5-course tasting menu with home-made chocolates to follow. However, you don’t need a Michelin star to taste some delicious and unusual cuisine in Essex. Billericay is home to the wonderful ‘The Magic Mushroom’, offering modern British cuisine with a twist. Rubino Kitchen in Malden is not only a wonderful restaurant for adults, but also offers children’s cooking classes too, encouraging the next generation of food lovers!

Essex’s zoo in Colchester gives you an opportunity to see some of the world’s most spectacular animals. Enjoy the ‘become a keeper for a day’ experience and hand feed an elephant or giraffe!

In 1960 Beth Chatto took an overgrown wasteland and replanted it with plants which would thrive and grow in each of the multiple conditions of the gardens. Using a ‘right plant, right place’ philosophy, Beth transformed this wasted space into a delightful country garden that is a wonderful visitor attraction.

Clacton’s wonderful seafront offers fun and entertainment for all the family. Don’t miss the Clacton Pier with wonderful sea views, ten pin bowling and of course penny arcades!

The word ‘gant’ is unique to Braintree, and means ‘passageway’, coming from the Flemish word ‘gang’ (corridor). That we do know, but why one of them is called, ‘Pig’s Head in the Pottage Pot Gant’ is less obvious!

What more could anyone want from a day out than to see how Tiptree make their famous jam? Based in – of course – Tiptree, Essex, the factory tour is a real treat for those with an irrepressible sweet tooth!