Romantic Counties – Great date ideas for Essex.
Our fourth county is beautiful Essex. Tarnished with a bad brush with the rise of ‘The Chav’ and people like Victoria Beckham, Essex actually has a huge amount to offer in terms of romantic destinations, here are my top five:
Glide3 Hovercraft Experience – I know that this article is all about romantic destinations, but trust me, if you take your date on one of these, emotions will be heightened as well as adrenalin and passion! You can basically fly your own hovercraft and get soaked – you’ll certainly be remembered as a person with a lust for life if anything.
Your experience includes:
• All safety, protective equipment and insurances
• Personalised certificate souvenir
• FREE refreshments and snacks
Basildon
Essex
Tel: 0845 226 0748
Fax: 0870 930 7275
Hedingham Castle – If you’re looking for chivalry, white knights and a romantic day, then you MUST come here. Hedingham Castle is one of the best preserved Norman keeps in England. It was built in 1140 by the famous medieval family the de Veres, Earls of Oxford, and is still owned by their descendents. Visited by King Henry VII, King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I and besieged by King John it possesses four floors including a magnificent Banqueting Hall with fine Minstrels’ Gallery and a splendid Norman arch. It is approached by a lovely Tudor bridge which was built in 1496 to replace the drawbridge. There are peaceful woodland and lakeside walks and the beautifully kept grounds are ideal for romantic picnics. Check out the website for special events like jousting… un-missable.
Open Sunday 2nd April – Sunday 30th September (06)
Prices from £4.50
Castle Hedingham
Halstead
Essex
CO9 3DJ
Tel: +44 (0)1787 460 261
Fax: +44 (0)1787 461 473
RHS Garden Hyde Hall – What county would be complete without its romantic gardens. These are just magnificent and a trip here would certainly raise the romance stakes. Hyde Hall is the result of 40 years of dedication and inspiration. If you appreciate a trimmed bush then you can’t afford to miss it.
Open April – September
Prices from £4
RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Rettendon
Chelmsford
Essex
CM3 8ET
Tel: +44 (0) 1245 400 256
Fax: +44 (0) 1245 402 100
Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker – OK, so it’s not your normal romantic location… but is your date normal? If not then they will probably enjoy this spookily eerie place where the lucky few would have ended up if a nuclear missile had landed in the UK (including the Prime Minister).
It’s currently the biggest and deepest cold war bunker open to the public in southeast England!
But before you go branding me as a killer of romance, go there and you will find your date cuddling up to you in no time as you creep the almost unbelievable tunnels.
Open Mar - Oct, 10 - 4 every day, Nov - Feb, 10 - 4 Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun
Prices from £5
Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker
Brentwood
Essex
CM14 5TL
Tel: +44 (0) 1277 364883
Fax: +44 (0) 1277 365260
Layer Marney Tower - Layer Marney Tower was built in 1525 by Henry, first Lord Marney, Lord Privy Seal to Henry VIII. Originally intended as a palace to rival Hampton Court, only the gatehouse was completed and is now the tallest Tudor gatehouse in the country. The Tower is built in flamboyant Italianate style with fine terracotta work, and is set in magnificent formal gardens. Explore inside the Tower, visiting the history room and seeing a model of the house as it might have looked, had the Palace been completed. There are also outbuildings, the beamed Long Gallery with wood panelling and polished oak floor, a church and medieval barn, picnic areas and animals to meet. This is a fantastically romantic venue taking you back to the incredibly romantic Tudors.
Open 24 March - 6 October (except Saturdays)
Prices from £3.50
Layer Marney Tower
Colchester
Essex
CO5 9US
Tel: +44 (0) 1206 330 784
Fax: +44 (0) 1206 330 884
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