Southend Pier, Essex, England

In the early 19th century, Southend was growing as a seaside holiday resort. At the time, it was thought that spending time by the sea was good for one’s health, and since it was close to the capital, many Londoners would come to Southend for this reason.

Battlesbridge Village, Essex, England

Battlesbridge is a village in Essex, England. This cute antique village is nestled on the banks of the River Crouch between Chelmsford and Southend-on-Sea.

Colchester Zoo, Essex, England

With over 250 species to see, set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo is well worth a visit. There are over 30 daily displays, an undercover soft play area, 4 adventure play areas, 2 road trains and much more, Colchester Zoo promises everyone a great day out!

Colchester Castle, Essex, England

The castle has had various uses since it ceased to be a Royal castle. It has been a county prison, where in 1645 the self-styled Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins interrogated and imprisoned suspected witches. In 1648, during the final stages of the English Civil War, the Royalist leaders Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle were executed just to the rear of the castle. Local legend has it that grass will not grow on the spot on which they fell. A small obelisk now marks the point. In 1656 the Quaker James Parnell was martyred there.

Abberton Resevoir, Essex, England

The Reservoir was used by the RAF’s 617 Squadron (“The Dam Busters”) for practice runs prior to the bombing of the German Dams in the Ruhr during World War II. Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the leader of the raid, referred to it as “Colchester Lake” in his auto-biography Enemy Coast Ahead. The reservoir was similar in shape to that of the Eder Dam in Germany which was attacked after the Möhne Dam had been breached.

Hedingham Castle, Essex, England

This castle, is a Norman motte and bailey castle with a stone keep. It may occupy a site of an earlier castle believed to have been built in the later eleventh or early twelfth century by Aubrey de Vere I, a Norman baron. Hedingham was one of the largest manors among those acquired by Aubrey I by circa 1080 and it became the head of the Vere barony by the later twelfth century.