Heritage places
Discover our heritage places
Heritage places
A lot of Essex parks and places are steeped in history. From one of the largest Knight’s Templar sites to connections with Capability Brown, why not find out more about our county’s history with a visit. If you are interested in delving deep into the past, the Essex Record Office is the place to start your journey.
Cressing Temple Barns
Experience a unique piece of history at the 13th century, Knights Templar Barns, complete with restored Tudor walled garden and Tiptree tea rooms.
- Witham Road, Braintree, Cressing, CM77 8PD
Jaywick Martello Tower
A renovated Martello Tower, Jaywick is a thriving arts, heritage and community venue on the beautiful Jaywick Sands coastline near Clacton-on-Sea.
- The Promenade, Belsize Ave, Jaywick Sands, CO15 2LF
Essex Record Office
The storehouse of Essex history, discover documents, images, and recordings that together tell the story of nearly 1,000 years of our county's past.
- Wharf Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6YT
Hadleigh Country Park
Hadleigh Park offers something for everyone – idyllic countryside, cycling and walking trails and magnificent views.
- Chapel Lane, Benfleet, SS7 2PP
Belhus Woods Country Park
Over 300 acres in South Essex, Belhus Woods Country Park combines ancient woodland, kid's play area, meadows and lakes with a visitor centre and café.
- South Ockendon, Aveley, RM15 4XJ
Weald Country Park
Famous for its deer park and Stick Man trail, Weald boasts spectacular views and space, covering over 520 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and open grassland.
- Weald Road, Brentwood, CM14 5QS
Danbury Country Park
Featuring 45 acres of grade II listed park and gardens with lakes, ancient woodland, wildflower meadow and historic features. Ideal for walking, families and picnics with friends.
- Woodhill Road , Chelmsford, Danbury, CM3 4AW
Alderford Water Mill
Restored, Grade II-listed timber building, typical of rural water mills and one of the best preserved in Essex. The water wheel often runs on open days.
- Alderford Street, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, CO9 3HZ
Beeleigh Steam Mill
One of the most attractive and fascinating mills in East Anglia, Beeleigh Mill includes a rare beam engine and elephant boiler.
- Abbey Turning, Maldon, CM9 6LJ
Finchingfield Post Mill
Grade II-listed Finchingfield Post Mill is the oldest windmill in Essex, built around 1756. It overlooks the picturesque village of Finchingfield.
- Duck End, Finchingfield, Braintree, CM7 4NA
Mountnessing Post Mill
Built in 1807, Mountnessing Post Mill is the nearest Essex mill to London. Fully restored to working order, it sees many visitors and lends itself to photographs.
- Roman Road, Mountnessing, Brentwood, CM15 0UG
Stock Tower Mill
Popular 5-storey Grade II listed tower mill with six-bladed fantail, built around 1804, restored complete with several floors of machinery.
- Mill Lane, Stock, Ingatestone, CM4 9NE
Discover more places
Featured events
Butterfly Trail at Belhus Woods Country Park
Take the new butterfly trail at Belhus Woods Country Park - suitable for everyone.
- Dates: May 1 - August 31, 2026
- Venue: Belhus Woods Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free*
Temple at War: Keeping History Alive
Temple at War is a two day military and vintage event packed full of everything to create one of the largest interactive and immersive historic re-enactment events in the south east of England whilst being totally family friendly.
- Dates:
- May 9 - 10, 2026
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Saturday and Sunday tickets: £10.00 to £53.00. Weekend ticket: £17.00 to £72.00.
Essex Outdoors Harlow: Saturday Paddle Club
Saturday Morning Paddle Club gives you the opportunity to try out canoeing and kayaking.
- Dates:
- May 9, 2026
- May 16, 2026
- May 23, 2026
- May 30, 2026
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
- Times: 9:30am - 11:30am
- For the whole family
- Price: Adult: £19.00, young person (eight to 17-years-old) £15.00
Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- May 9, 2026
- May 16, 2026
- May 23, 2026
- May 30, 2026
- June 6, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part
Parkrun: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- May 9, 2026
- May 16, 2026
- May 23, 2026
- May 30, 2026
- June 6, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Parkrun: Hadleigh Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- May 9, 2026
- May 16, 2026
- May 23, 2026
- May 30, 2026
- June 6, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Explore Essex
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Need to know
Explorer Pass
Save money with your Explorer Pass
Our annual Explore Essex Pass will give you and your family the freedom to explore some of the incredible places and green spaces that Essex has to offer, as many times as you like throughout the year, with free parking at seven country parks, 2 or 1 on Sky Ropes, priority booking on specific events, and 10% discounts at many cafes and visitor centres.