What’s on in Essex: The top activities for over 50’s in Essex
As the UK’s 8th largest county, Essex is well and truly on the map as a ‘must-visit’ destination. From historic views, coastal walks to designer shopping and award-winning vineyards, Essex is known for being a famously diverse county, with its ability to cater for many age categories.
If you’ve been wondering exactly what’s on, specially for over 50s in Essex, the Burnham Waters team have put together an extensive list of the best activities to make the most of, whether you’re a resident or visiting for the weekend!
Tiptree Jam Museum and Tea Rooms
Famous ‘Tiptree Jam’ hails from you guessed it, Tiptree in Essex! It’s one of the biggest villages in the UK, so if you’re looking for a fun afternoon out, with the premise of a sweet treat or two, this is for you. Open 7 days a week, the jam museum, tea rooms and exclusive Tiptree shop can be found in the heart of Essex countryside.
The tea rooms offer delicious food, including ‘Tiptree’ products, a range of hot and cold snacks, and home-baked cakes, all finished off with traditional table service in comfortable surroundings. Next door, you’ll find the official ‘John Wilkin Tiptree’ shop, so you can fill your boots with as much jam, condiments, homeware and branded accessories as you like!
The Museum itself holds the original John Wilkin collection and is a great place to trace the history of the Wilkin & Sons, dating back to 1864, Tiptree preserves and of course, learn all about jam-making. Trust us, it’s at the top of our what’s on in Essex list for good reason!
Find out more about Tiptree here.
Colchester Castle
Not far from Tiptree is Colchester – also known as Britain’s first Roman city. It’s home to many wonderful historic monuments, notably, Colchester Castle. Built in 1076, it stands on top of a prestigious temple that was built in Roman times. With a range of local collections and interactive exhibits to explore, this is an ideal place to spend the morning with family.
Colchester Castle often hold events within the beautiful grounds; it’s the perfect place to find out a little more about Essex and its roman roots.
Find out more about Colchester Castle here.
Colchester Zoo
Just down the road is Colchester Zoo. It’s hailed as one of the best days out in Essex, especially if wildlife is a hobby of yours! Take a walk on the wild side and discover over 260 species that call Colchester Zoo home! From daily feeding and training sessions, to extensive education outreach, there is plenty to do and see here. It’s also worth checking out the discounted rates offered from time to time over on their website!
Hylands Park, House and Gardens
A beautiful Grade II-listed manor set amid 570 acres of parkland, Hylands House is a sight to be seen in the popular city of Chelmsford. You can take guided tours of both the house and gardens, while The Stables nearby offers a courtyard café, second-hand bookshop and artists’ studios to explore.
The park itself has many different walking routes to enjoy, including scenic lakes and an abundance of wildlife to watch and appreciate on seasonal walks. There are also two sizable play parks on site, which are perfect for entertaining the grandchildren!
Find out more about Hylands House here.
Chelmsford Cathedral and City
The city of Chelmsford is home to one of the UK’s ‘youngest’ cathedrals. You’ll find this spectacular structure located in the middle of the town, surrounded by a small meadow and a quaint wine bar! With a distinct steeple made of blue copper, the cathedral’s architecture is stunning; there’s plenty to explore inside and viewers can enjoy regular services and lunchtime concerts on certain days of the week!
If you’re looking for something else to do whilst you’re in the area, Chelmsford city centre is renowned for its shopping centre and a large selection of bars and restaurants to choose from if you’re feeling peckish.
Explore Chelmsford Cathedral here.
Beth Chatto Plants and Gardens
Winning the recent 2022 Travellers’ Choice award from Trip Advisor and a top ten on the official what’s on in Essex list are the Beth Chatto Gardens. They can be found in Elmstead, just outside of Colchester. These award-winning gardens are protected by the National Trust and were created by influential gardener, Beth Chatto OBE VMH.
Founded and nurtured in the 1960’s, Beth took on this once challenging terrain and began to create the gardens we can see today, all based on her principles of ecological and sustainable planting. The beautiful gardens comprise of the Gravel Garden, Water Garden, Reservoir Garden, Woodland Garden and Scree Garden. On site, you’ll find an extensive nursery in which you can purchase from, plus a tearoom and gift shop for refreshments after your tour. This attraction is a must see for any avid gardener or plant enthusiast.
Find out more here.
Burnham on Crouch
If you’re looking for a day by the coast, look no further than Burnham on Crouch. Known for its maritime history and picturesque views, Burnham offers a great day out with plenty to do and see. Be sure to walk along the quaint town centre, browse local shops, head down to the quay and walk the sea wall! Down by the marina, you’ll be able to see the famous yachts of Burnham and even pop into the RLNI station, if that floats your boat.
If you’re into trains and railway culture, then ‘Mangapps Railway and Museum’ offers a fun couple of hours! Mangapps is a privately owned working railway and museum that features equipment removed from various site throughout East Anglia!
You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to walks, each one offering a fabulous view of the coast, with many different species of both wildlife and plants to be seen. We’d recommend doing the ‘Saltmarsh Coast Trail’ if you’re looking for a ramble that offers a bit of everything.
Don’t forget to stop off for a well-deserved bite to eat at one of the many coastal pubs. If you’d rather lunch on the go, try the local oysters, or treat yourself to classic fish and chips on the sea wall seats!
Get in touch
We can assure that this only scratches the surface of what’s on in Essex throughout the year! If you’re over 55 and interested in moving to the Essex area, we would love to hear from you. At Burnham Waters, our luxury and spacious retirement accommodation ensure a vibrant community lifestyle, in the heart of Burnham on Crouch, with easy access and transport links to wider Essex.
For more information, simply send us an email at info@burnhamwaters.co.uk, or get in touch with our sales team on 01621 861559. Don’t forget to scroll to the bottom of our home page and sign up to our newsletter for all the latest news on our community.
