Attractions and Days out in Braintree

Bardfield Vineyard

This small vineyard forms part of an arable farm in North Essex, not far from Braintree, Finchingfield & Thaxted.  Take a tour of the house, gardens and vineyard together with wine tasting.

More Details:
Great Lodge, Great Bardfield, Braintree, Essex CM7 4QD
Tel: 01371 810 776
Entrance fee: call to enquire
Email: info@TheGreatLodgeExperience.com
Visit website
Directions

Blake House Craft Centre

The carefully preserved farm buildings at Blake House Craft Centre are centered around a courtyard, which was previously the Blake House farmyard. Wander around the fine variety of art and craft shops in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, where there really is something for everyone! From a basket of flowers to ballet shoes, from dolls houses to diamond bracelets and from electric guitars to elegant fabrics, you can treat yourself or find the perfect gift. Once you've looked around the shops, enjoy a bite to eat in Timbers Restaurant, challenge your friends to a round of crazy golf on the 9 hole minigolf course and then test your wits against 'The Original Great Maze' challenge! (Maze open 11th July - 6th Sept 09. Craft Centre open all year round.)

More Details:
Blake House Craft Centre, Blake End, Near Braintree CM77 6RA.
Tel: 01376 344123
Entrance fee: Free
Visit website

 

Boydell's Dairy Farm

A small family farm specialising in sheep milking, there is a wide range of other farm animals and plenty of hands-on experiences.  A fun and educational guide tour ensures a good time for the whole family

More Details:
Wethersfield, Braintree CM7 4AQ
Tel: 01371 850481
Entrance fee: £3.50 children & £4.50 adults
Opening hours
Visit website

RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

Braintree District Museum

Award winning museum based in the converted Manor Street school given by the Courtauld family.  Displays from Critall steel windows to Warners royal silks, Castle Hedingham pottery to Edward Bawden prints.

More Details:
Manor Street, Braintree
Tel: 01376 325266
Entrance fee:£2.00. Students, Senior Citizens and Under 16s: £1.00. 50% discount for Braintree District Council residents.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm including Bank Holidays.
Email: museum@braintree.gov.uk
Visit website

Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens

The Public Gardens in Bocking End form one of the most attractive features of the town of Braintree and Bocking. The Gardens are part of the rich historical heritage of the town, yet at the same time are being developed and enhanced for the benefit of future generations. Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens has 5 acres of formal public gardens, a children's play area, tennis courts and bandstand concerts.

More Details:
43, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex CM7 9AE
Tel: 01376 328714
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: Open from 9.00am until Dusk each day apart from Christmas Day
Visit website

Braintree Swimming Centre

Get down to Braintree’s new £7.5million premier swimming complex operated by the Braintree District Leisure Community Association Ltd. This superb facility is offered to the residents of the Braintree District, neighbouring districts and their visitors.
Located at the Freeport Braintree outlet village this facility is a joint project between Braintree District Council and Hermes the owners of
Freeport. The facilities are available for all
ages and abilities. Everyone is welcome.

More Details:
Freeport Braintree, Braintree
01376 333833
Entrance fee: Call to enquire
Visit website

Hedingham Castle

Hedingham Castle's Norman keep, 110 feet high, was built c.1140 by Aubrey de Vere and is still owned by one of his descendants, The Honourable Thomas Lindsay and his wife Virginia. There are four floors to explore, including a magnificent banqueting hall spanned by a remarkable 28 foot arch, one of the largest Norman arches in England. A visit to the castle and its beautiful grounds is ideal for a family outing, and during the summer there are a variety of special events which bring its colourful history alive.

More Details:
Hedingham Castle, Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, CO9 3DJ
Tel: 01787 460261
Entrance fee: Adults £5, children £3.50, concession £4.50 and family £17
Opening hours
Email: mail@hedinghamcastle.co.uk
Visit website
Directions
 

Colne Valley Railway

Sample the atmosphere and take a ride on the award winning period country railway. A really pretty line, currently one mile long, with relocated station buildings, signal boxes and bridges all lovingly restored and rebuilt. Visit the Garden Railway, Travelling Post Office Exhibition, large and varied collection of operational vintage steam, diesel engines and carriages and wagons that represent much of our Railway Heritage.

More Details:
Castle Hedingham CO9 3DZ
Tel: 01787 461174
Entrance fee: Various, see website for details
Opening hours: Various, see website for details
Email: info@colnevalleyrailway.co.uk
Visit website
Directions

Crazy Kids Adventure Play

The Crazy Kids Adventure Play centre is a massive, air conditioned, modern warehouse fitted out for high adventure and excitement in a controlled and monitored environment. This is children's playtime entertainment at it's very best and safest.  Their new enlarged play tower is one of the biggest in Essex. A series of multi-level activity areas, soft-ball canons, scramble nets, biff & bash toys, swings, squeeze rollers, slides, chutes, ball ponds, soft play areas, video games and rides combine to provide a top of the line adventure playground for children ages 1 to 12.

More Details:
Units 8-12, Century Drive, Off Charter Way, Braintree, Essex CM77 8YH
Tel: 01376 347547
Entrance fee: call to enquire
Visit website
 

RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

Cressing Temple

Cressing Temple is a scheduled ancient monument in Essex. The site has its origins in the 12th century, when it was the first grant land of land given to the Knights Templar in England. It is home to the two finest Templar barns in Europe.T he site is made up of a group of remarkable farm buildings, the barns, a Templar well and a Tudor walled garden. It is now owned by Essex County Council and is open to the public at selected times throughout the year. We offer attractive surroundings with extensive parking for conferences and large events.

More Details:
Cressing Temple, Witham Road, Braintree, Essex CM77 8PD
Tel: 01376 584903
Entrance fee: call to enquire
Visit website

 

Gosfield Lake Resort

Gosfield Lake Resort is set in the heart of rural Essex, close to Constable Country. The 36 acre lake and surrounding countryside combine to create a natural beauty spot. The activities on site are wide-ranging from Fishing, to Water Skiing together with a variety of other leisure activities. There are lakeside picnic areas, children's play area, on-site cafe and licensed restaurant overlooking the lake and  camping and caravanning facilities.

More Details:
Church Road, Gosfield, Halstead CO9 1UD
Tel: 01787 475043
Entrance fee: Various, see website for details
Opening Hours: Various, see website for details
Email: turps@gosfieldlake.co.uk
Visit website
Directions


RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE

Ponyland at Dutch Nursery

A rescue pony centre housing mainly Shetland ponies, that can be petted and groomed.  The centre runs children's pony camp days and birthday parties.

More Details:
West Street, Coggeshall CO6 1NT
Tel: 01376 561287
Entrance fee: Pony camp days £35 per child which includes morning refreshments 10am-3pm (all proceeds go towards the rescue centre)
Opening hours: call to enquire
Email: coggeshall@dutchnursery.co.uk
Visit website
Directions

The Original Great Maze

Discover a new maize maze of adventure to be explored at The Original Great Maze. Weave your way through miles of winding maize pathways to finally conquer this year’s amazing maze. The challenge is on! Upon your victory, climb the viewing platform and peruse the beautiful Essex landscape or see friends, still lost in the green labyrinth! When you have conquered the maze, why not take a look around the Blake House Craft Centre, visit the restaurant, or challenge your friends to a game of crazy golf. Come and ‘get lost’ for a fun family day out, whatever the weather.
 

More Details:
Blake House Craft Centre, Blake End, Braintree CM77 6RA
Tel: 01376 553 146
Entrance fee: adult £4.50, child £2.50. 
Opening hours: See website
Email: info@greatmaze.info
Visit website
Directions
 

E-mail this page