The Beth Chatto Gardens in Colchester, Essex is an informal garden harmonising with the surrounding countryside and was transformed from an overgrown wasteland. Come view the art of planting at its best, and they began all the way back in 1960, you can even shop at the on-line nursery and enjoy plants from them in your own garden, they have over 2000 plants of good quality that they send out year round. The Beth Chatto Gardens offers excellent events and courses, and the gardens and nursery cover roughly 7 acres, plus they are open year round, and they welcome coaches and groups. Come view the world famous Gravel Garden, the Water Gardens, the pind and Scree Gardens, small raised beds and Woodland as well as reservoir Garden, it's all here. The tearoom offers a selection of breakfasts and light lunches with hot daily specials, homemade cakes, freshly ground coffee and specialty teas, and is the venue for workshops and events throughout the year.READ MORE

The George Hotel Colchester is a 500 year old coaching inn that resonates with history in the heart of historic Colchester, Essex right on the high street, close to Colchester Castle. Boasting choices of executive, superior family, classic double, twin, single and mini double room choices, all individually decorated to a high standard, a fabulous stay awaits both the leisure and business guest. There's a stylish lounge bar with original features, and a Courtyard Brasserie serving English dishes and regional specialties by talented chefs for a memorable dining experience. The George Hotel Colchester is also the perfect venue and setting for private dining and functions in bespoke function rooms and they cater to parties, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, Bar Mitzvahs and other special occasions, complete with banqueting and events coordinator. READ MORE

The Dog and Pheasant is a bar, restaurant and holiday cottage in the coastal village of East Mersea, Colchester dating back to 1750 now refurbished and modern. The menu is vast with excellent starter choices, and mains of steak and kidney pudding, sizzling ribs, delectable char grills, chefs curry of the day, beer battered fish and chips, lunch offerings, bar snacks and much more, and their take away menu includes burgers, baguettes and jacket potatoes. The Dog and Pheasant holiday cottage is thatched and a charming Grade 11 listed building retaining much of its original character and period features but with modern facilities ideal for families, couples and groups, set in countryside adjoining the public house and restaurant. Come for a spectacular meal and fabulous stay in beautiful surrounds.READ MORE

Go Bananas in Colchester, Essex offer's a jungle's worth of adventure and fun as they say, and welcomes all young adventurers with something for every little monkey to enjoy, exlore and conquer. There's and Aztec Ruins adventure area with challenges and 3 levels to conquer, many sites and Funky Monkey's jungle home, they also have a lane water Astra slide, wobbly planks, stepping stones and a swing through the ruins. Tiny Town is a mini version of the Aztec Adventure for young one's aged 4 and under and here toddler rule, assisting with challenges they may face in the future. The Go Bananas cafe offers excellent meals, snacks and coffee as well as a wide range of children's meals, free WIFI and homemade cake. There's an after school club, and this is the perfect venue for children or adult parties where the fun never ends, with many kiddies packages and choices, or the ideal adult venue for corporate events, birthdays, hen nights, stag nights, team building and much more.READ MORE

Jungle Adventure in Colchester, Essex is a soft play adventure centre offering so much more, and each day includes the ever popular Once Upon a Story Time, Treasure Basket Discovery Play, Balance, Bounce, arts and crafts, exercise and more. You can even dance with Roar the Lion, King of the jungle, and your great adventure begins the moment you step into the jungle with the latest and wildest children's activities and an action packed timetable, here children live out their fantasies deep in the jungle with slides a Jungle Assault course and much more. Jungle Adventure offers an exciting range of packages for jungle birthday parties, so book for the ultimate in party celebrations, and make your child's special day a great adventure.READ MORE

Colchester Ghost Tours brings you the other side of Colchester, Essex with your host and guide Derek Wray, a master storyteller who tells of the blood, gore, mayhem and ghosts, and the past that other tours don't reach. Come journey with him through the dark ways of ancient Colchester on the first Thursday of every month, starting at the town hall in High Street, and go in search of the life, love, death and abominable hauntings in their own words. Colchester Ghost Tours last over two hours through Britain's oldest recorded town, and home to Britain's oldest pubs and ghosts, usually ending in a haunted public house for relaxing drinks. There are three tours to choose from, the Town Centre Tour, the Dutch Quarter Tour and the Legend of the Chattering Corpse Tour, come hear the stories, learn the secrets, the history, legends and ghosts of Colchester.READ MORE

The Colchester Arts Centre in Colchester, Essex is housed in the little church with a big history and attitude, stunning historic architecture of St Mary's Church dating back over 1000 years and more. This venue plays host to some of the best talent, the newest and most modern choreographers, comedians, cool DJ's, a Farmer's Market and more. Their passion is to bring great bands and comics to Colchester, and they are all about fresh ideas, new ads, new art forms and vibrant new ways of working as they say. The Colchester Arts Centre has an excellent and varied calendar of events, and the venue is available for hire, the space is ideal for birthday parties, Barmitzvahs, promotions, celebrations, live bands and so much more, and the venue is available for hire by outside promoters, so if you're thinking of putting on your own gig, contact them.READ MORE

The Holistic Retreat in Assington between Colchester and Sudbury, Essex is a beauty centre on a beautiful farm offering holistic and beauty therapies to create a balance between the mind, body and spirit. Come to the relaxing tranquil surrounds, and surrender yourself to a spa like experience with a range of massage therapies, beauty therapies and pamper packages. Holistic therapies at the Holistic Retreat include reflexology, Reiki healing, crystal healing, nutritional therapy, baby massages and meditation classes and beauty treatments include a wide range of facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures, spray tanning, make up and eyebrow and eyelash treatments. Friendly therapists await you and ensure a blissful sense of relaxation and healing.READ MORE

Castle Road Cottages are ideally located in the heart of Colchester, Essex offering a high quality self catering stay with the perfect blend of stylish accommodation and a good location as they say. They ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible with fine quality towels and bed linen, complementary tea and ground coffee as well as fresh fruit to welcome you. Hope Cottage, a one time Quaker bakehouse is the perfect retreat for couples and boasts an intimate atmosphere, snug lounge and cosy kitchen breakfast room and much more with upstairs Edwardian elegance. The 6 Castle Road Cottage is a classic Victorian artisan cottage with lovingly restored period details including cast iron fireplaces, antique furnishings, pretty back garden and much more ideal for three to four guests. Castle Road Cottages true delights in beautiful surrounds, come for a magical stay. READ MORE

Colchester Camping and Caravan Park in Colchester, Essex welcomes you to this wonderful setting just outside the historic town, and this family owned and run touring site caters to caravans, motorcaravans, tents and trailer tents. The have secure alarmed storage facilities for tour caravans and motorcaravans, plus offer a number of seasonal onsite pitches. The well managed Colchester Camping and Caravan Park has quality facilities including free showers and hot water, hook-ups, hard standings, a play area and laundry, as well as convenience grocery and caravan accessory shop. They are ideally located next to a parkland and nature reserve, and boast 251 touring caravan or camping pitches, come for a fabulous stay.READ MORE