Greene King is one of Britain's leading pub and brewing firms, managing fantastic hotels all cross the country. In Essex, you can find several charming Greene King hotels that are ideal for extended breaks or nightly stopovers.
Visit Mountfitchet Castle
This fascinating open-air museum is a very short drive from Stansted Airport and well within reach of Greene King hotels. It comprises a specially reconstructed Norman motte-and-bailey castle and village that is the only site of its kind in the world. Learn about East Anglia's medieval roots, see the Fallow deer and other animals, and don't forget to visit the Castle Tea Room for some tasty, home-made cakes and other snacks. It's also celebrated for its House on the Hill Toy Museum, where children can observe more than 80,000 individual toys dating from the Victorian era to the late 20th century.
Spend the Afternoon at the Charming Village of Dedham
In northeast Essex, close to the Suffolk border, Dedham is a remarkably photogenic riverside community that is surrounded by lush water meadows and was once a prosperous wool centre. It was once the home of the acclaimed artist Alfred Munnings, who was celebrated for his horse paintings and spent much of his life at Castle House, a fine Tudor and Georgian landmark that is now a museum showcasing his great works.
Head to Historic Colchester
Within easy reach of all Greene King hotels, Colchester is overlooked by one of England's earliest and best-preserved Norman castles, noted for its enormous keep. The town also features the oldest ruined church in Britain, which dates back to the 4th Century and is next to the Police Station. You can also observe the remnants of England's oldest town walls, built by the Romans in the 1st century and still partially intact today.
See the Enchanting Layer Marner Tower
Near the outskirts of Colchester, this awe-inspiring Tudor palace, typically open to visitors from April to September, has a remarkable façade and beautiful Italian interior decor, and is recognised as the tallest Tudor Gatehouse in England. It's in ancient Colchester, which is estimated to be the oldest town in Britain and is home to a fantastic zoo and medieval castle, as well as plenty of excellent hotels and B&Bs for a great stay in one of the UK's more unusual locations.
