7 Reasons to own a holiday home in Essex

Beautiful Essex Beaches

With over 36 miles of beaches nick-named ‘The Sunshine Coast’ (and for good reason) there’s a lot of golden coast to offer Essex holiday home owners. And with six Blue Flag beaches (as of 2019) located in Essex, the county now boasts a third of all these awards in the East of England!

In addition to this, there are three fantastic piers to enjoy; Clacton, Walton and Southend (incidentally the world’s longest pier).

Not only are the beaches beautiful, but many are dog-friendly too - ideal for anyone who’s pooch loves to feel the sand in between their paws.

Wonderful Essex Wildlife

Relaxation is one of the top reasons many become holiday home owners, and there’s nothing more relaxing than taking a stroll with Mother Nature.

Essex has a wide array of sites where the local wildlife thrives. The Essex Wildlife Trust has 11 Visitor Centres, 87 Nature Reserves, and 2 Nature Parks. They manage an estimated 8,200 acres of land, so you are never too far from some beautiful wildlife in the region.

The sheer number of species that can be spotted in Essex is mind blowing – 47 different types of mammals, 6 reptiles, 16 species of birds, 6 amphibians, 18 freshwater fish, 66 trees and shrubs, 213 invertebrate and 136 kinds of different marine life. Mind blown!

Big Essex Events

With big events being held throughout the year, an exciting time is always just around the corner…

Exhibitions: Wings and Wheels Model Spectacular (June)

Food & Drink: Essex Vegan Festival (March & December), Chelmsford Summer Beer & Cider Festival (July), Essex Food and Drink Festival (July), Oktoberfest (you guessed it!)

Music: Brentwood Festival - Evoke (July), The Fling Festival (July), The Big 90’s Festival (October)

And that’s not to mention the countless events that take place around Halloween, Christmas and New Year!

Amazing Essex Attractions

Whether you seek excitement or prefer a leisurely activity, you’re more than catered for in Essex.

Here’s a couple of our favourites from both categories:

For a thrilling adventure: take a splash at 'Curve Wake’s Aqua Park and Water Sports Centre', hop on a rollercoaster at 'Adventure Island' on Southend Pier, race against the clock in Escape Live’s escape rooms, buckle and burn some rubber at 'TeamSport Go Karting', witness the wonders of the animal kingdom at 'Colchester Zoo', or even forget the rules of gravity at 'Jump Street’s Trampoline Park'.

For some leisurely fun: with views from every standpoint 'Three Rivers Golf Club' is perfect spot to play a few holes (or 36!), or perhaps a visit to 'Promenade Park' which has been a summer haven for many generations of families. You could even take a stroll through world-renowned and multi-award-winning 'Beth Chatto Gardens', take a tour of 'Colchester Castle and Museums' – home to 2000 years of information on British history, and if you prefer to remain seated, why not catch a show at the 'Princes Theatre'?

Local Essex Cuisine

The world is your oyster… and it’s delicious!

Essex is famous for its oysters, and along the coastline, you’re bound to find them on the menu of many local eateries. Please note: like Marmite, you'll either love them or hate them.

If you fancy diving a little deeper, head over to Whitstable – home of the ‘Whitstable Oyster Festival’ – and visit the county’s oyster capital.

The deliciously delightful food doesn’t stop there, as of 2020 there will be 13 mouth-watering Michelin Star restaurants across Essex to enjoy – is your palate up to the test?

Remarkable Essex History

A wide variety of cultures have impressed on Essex. The Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans have all shaped the course of the county’s history, much of which can still be seen to this day. From the ancient town walls and temple remains in the former Roman capital of Colchester, to the tiny Saxon chapel of Bradwell-on-Sea, opened back in 654-AD (still in use to this very day) and lastly to Hedingham Castle, which is arguably the best preserved Norman construction.

And if you crave more recent history, there’s an abundance of art/history/specialty museums scattered throughout the county – you’re never too far from an enlightening nugget of history in Essex.

Essex Transport links

The last thing you want when trying to get away for the weekend is to spend your evening travelling!

With Essex being right on the doorstep of London, it is well served by major roads including the M25, M11 and A12. In addition, there are well-connected train lines with speedy routes to London.

This means you can be out of “The Big Smoke” and in “The Sunshine Coast” in a blink of an eye!