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31 March 2025 - 5 Days - £495 Southend-on-Sea is a classic seaside town on the east coast with a rich fishing history. The town has grown from its fishing roots into a thriving town and is well known for its historical pier (the longest leisure pier in the world) with a railway.
Morning departure from your local pickup point, we make our way to Southend-on-Sea stopping at Saffron Waldron. This delightful medieval town in north west Essex has a rich heritage of old buildings reflecting its wealth as a rural market town. You will have time to peruse the quirky shops with a wide choice of gift shops, specialist foods, antiques/collectables and small art galleries. We continue to the hotel arriving late afternoon.
Today we visit RHS Garden Hyde Hall. This beautiful Garden of Essex has a glorious hilltop location with sweeping panoramic views and wide open skies. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Hyde Hall, with its eclectic mix of traditional and modern styles. Highlights include the Dry Garden with its fantastic range of drought resistant plants and the Hilltop Garden with its roses and herbaceous borders. Included is afternoon tea (selection of sandwiches and cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam and freshly brewed filter coffee and tea).
We start the day with some free time in Colchester. Having once been Britain’s first city, and the former capital of Roman Britain, it is no surprise that the city is ripe for exploring, with important heritage to be found around every corner. The most popular attractions include Colchester Castle Museum, Firstsite Art Gallery and the picturesque Castle Park, but you'll find plenty more to discover, from smaller museums to Roman ruins via unique shopping opportunities and quirky eateries. We continue on to Beth Chatto’s Gardens where we can explore a series of informal gardens created by an award-winning plantswoman, author and lecturer.
Free day in Chelmsford. Delve into Chelmsford history at the museum, take in the impressive architecture of buildings such as Chelmsford Cathedral and Shire Hall or treat yourself at not one but three shopping centres. We return to Southend-on-Sea for some free time in the afternoon.
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and make our way home with a stop at Wimpole Hall, a working estate with an impressive mansion, parkland, gardens and rare breed farm. Afterwards, we continue our journey home.
Return coach travel
4 nights Park Inn half board
Admission to RHS Hyde Hall with afternoon tea
Admission to Beth Chatto’s Gardens and Wimpole Hall
Excursions to Saffron Waldron, Colchester and Chelmsford
ESSE310301
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