Mountfitchet Castle

Mountfitchet Castle near Stansted is a tourist attraction which consists of a reconstructed wooden castle from the medieval period. It was built in the 1980's and takes the visitor back in time over 900 years ago to experience what a Norman village would have looked like. 

With interactive displays and a variety of medieval buildings, the visitor centre consists of a ringwork wooden defence, a keep and enclosures where rescued wild and domestic animals are also allowed to wander freely amongst the reconstructed village. Essentially an attraction that is tailored to family outings the visitor is also granted access to a toy museum. 

The site has received some criticism that the large numbers of tourists visiting the attraction have caused damage to the ancient site itself. 

For more photos of Mountfitchet Castle click here or view on You Tube

Mersea Island

Mersea Island in Essex is approx 7 square miles in size and access is gained by the Colchester - Mersea road the B1025 which often gets covered over with sea water at high tide. There is evidence of a settlement here dating back to Roman times. Mersea Island is Britain's most easterly inhabited island.

Agriculture, fishing and boat servicing are the main industries on Mersea Island although tourism is also a contributor to the local economy. 

Colchester

Colchester in Essex is unique in that it is Britain's oldest recorded town. Visitors to the town will notice that it is very much a mixture of old and new. The main visitor attractions are the zoo and castle. With a population of just over 100,000 Colchester gets 4.5 million visitors a year.

Once the capital of Roman Britain, Colchester is situated just 50 miles to the north of London and 30 miles from the busy Stansted Airport. This is very much a student town where languages from around the world can be heard as you walk down the high street.

With some good pubs and restaurants and a balance of branded and independent shops the town has something to offer for all tastes. Colchester Garrison is one of the largest British Army bases in the UK.

For more photos of Colchester click here or view on You Tube

Chelmsford

Chelmsford in Essex is just 30 miles from London. There have been settlements here since Neolithic times. However, after the arrival of the Romans Chelmsford became a market place specially named in honour of Caesar which gave it special prominence and status. In Saxon times the town continued to grow and prosper.

The market in Chelmsford has been present for over 800 years and during the 19th century Chelmsford became an important centre for industry and commerce with Guglielmo Marconi building the world's first radio factory here in 1899. 

For more photographs of Chelmsford click here or view on You Tube

Saffron Walden

Saffron Walden gets its name from the flower called saffron crocus which was grown extensively due to its use in medicines and perfumes. Prior to the sixteenth century the town had been known as Chipping Walden.

At a distance of 15 miles from Cambridge, Saffron Walden is an affluent town which attracts many tourists during the summer months. Just 35 miles from London its timber framed medieval buildings give it a country market town feel.

There has been a settlement here at Saffron Walden since before the Roman occupation. Their is evidence that the town would have been a prominent trading post in Anglo Saxon times. 

St Mary the Virgin Church in Saffron Walden is very impressive and dates back to the 15th century. It is actually the largest parish church in Essex with a church spire standing at 193 feet high.

The town has its own coat of arms and a castle which dates back to the 12th century. The castle is not much more than a pile of stones since many of the local houses took construction material from the damaged castle and there is nothing impressive to see here.

There is also a turf maze near the castle which is one of the largest of its type in England. It dates back to 1699.

Today the town of Saffron Walden offers some excellent independent shops and quality brand names with a host of exquisite tea rooms and restaurants. A good place to stop and miander its narrow and interesting streets.