St Osyth

This charming and attractive village derives its name from St. Osyth daughter of the first Christian King of East Anglia.  Located centrally within the village is a selection of shops and eateries.  The village centre is dominated by the Augustinian Priory ruins and its magnificent Gatehouse, which was completed in 1475.  The latter forms one of the finest monastic buildings in Read more…

Mistley & Manningtree are attractive small ports at the head of the river Stour.  The main high street in Manningtree offers a selection of independent and boutique shops as well as the more familiar named shops.  A good variety of eating and drinking establishments are on offer in the local area providing a warm welcome to visitors and food and Read more…

Lawford is a village and civil parish in the Tendring district which merges into Manningtree (believed to be the smallest town by area). Offering easily accessible bus and rail links, there are many walking routes to discover some of which take you along the banks of the River Stour. The ring ditches and banks to the south west of Reed Read more…

Harwich is an attractive, historic and unique town steeped in a wealth of maritime history and ideally located with excellent road, rail and ferry links. The attractive old town was built on a grid pattern, in the 13th Century, by the Earl of Norfolk, to exploit its strategic position at the mouth of the Stour/Orwell estuaries.  Famous seafarers Frobisher, Drake, Read more…

Great Bentley is probably best known for, what is reputedly the largest Village Green in England, with approximately 43 acres. The Village Green was purchased by the Parish Council on behalf of the residents of the Great Bentley in 1965 from the then Lord of the Manor. The village has a thriving Business Centre.  There are a large number of Read more…

Developed as a select resort by Sir Richard Cooper and largely expanded after 1886. The area south of Frinton Gates was laid out with detached houses set along broad tree lined avenues and has preserved a unique local character. Lined with colourful old-style beach huts, the tranquil sandy beach and promenade has remained largely uncommercialised.  Just above the beachline, the Read more…

Elmstead and its hamlet of Elmstead Market, the modern village centre, straddle the A133 from Colchester (4 miles to the west) to Clacton (20 miles to the east).  The name of Elmstead Market, derives from a market being held in the village during one of the visitations of the plague in Colchester. The Church of St. Anne and St. Lawrence Read more…

The town centre itself is home to a number of historic and character buildings which also reflects the town’s rich past. The high street is not dominated by chain retailers and offers a selection of independent, family run businesses and shops which include specialist food, gifts, crafts, beauty, clothing, footwear, florist and electrical goods.  The Kingsway Plaza is home to Read more…

Brightlingsea is a town steeped in a history of shipbuilding and seafaring is one of the Cinque Ports.  The beach runs along Western Promenade next to the impressive 97ft high Bateman’s Tower which is visible from 17 miles out to sea as well as a parade of beach huts that line this attractive part of the coastline.  Brightlingsea has lots Read more…

Bradfield is located about five kilometres (3 miles) east of Manningtree. The Anglican church is dedicated to Saint Lawrence. One of the windows commemorates Edwin Harris Dunning, the first pilot to land an aircraft on a moving ship.  The Anglican church is dedicated to Saint Lawrence. One of the windows commemorates Edwin Harris Dunning, the first pilot to land an Read more…