Poor old Essex. If you listened to the media you might never go there. Yet it’s one of the UK’s most historic counties, with a collection of wanderable old towns and villages, one of the country’s longest coastlines (despite its relatively small size) and all sorts of ancient and intriguing corners. It’s also home to a surprising number of terrific places to stay and to eat – gastropubs with rooms, fine dining restaurants and blingy boutique hotels.
Whether you’re travelling as a family, going solo or looking for a romantic couple’s retreat, you’ll find a place to stay that suits your needs and often offers a delicious breakfast the next day. It’s well worth spending a few nights in Essex, either to properly explore the beach, enjoy a meal and stroll around town, or to have fun at one of the local nightclubs and sleep off your hangover the following day.
