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

HA! HA! in Colchester, Essex and other venues offers open plan kitchens and great food and drinks, and a mouthwatering menu is guaranteed to entice and delight. Enjoy fresh, home cooked perfection with choices including spiced poached pear served with blue cheese, caramelised walnuts and roasted red onion salad, or the Moroccan spiced lamb steak, the home made fish cake and more ended with the apple and Frangipane tart, all complemented by a good wine list and premium beers. HA! HA! also offer classic drinks and cocktails, has a coffee machine and caters to Christmas parties and celebrations, come see the chefs whipping up a veritable feast.READ MORE

Sorano's Ristorante in Thorrington, Colchester, Essex brings you the Italian divine with tradition and passion and you will always feel at home at this family run Italian restaurant and experience attentive service. The menu offers hot and cold starter choices exquisite fish, pasta and risotto and side dishes, and they are open for breakfast from English to other choices, as well as lunch and dinner and have a bambini menu, and leave space for mouthwatering desserts. Sorano's Ristorante regularly host not to be missed events and come highly recommended, come for a fabulous dining experience of Italian delights.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

Greyfriars Colchester offers luxurious rooms and suites to the discerning in a beautiful building dating all the way back to the 18th Century, and once a grand private family house, after extensive refurbishment, it is today the perfect venue for dining, socialising and celebrating. Accommodation options include superbly appointed rooms and suites including Grand Luxe Signature suites, deluxe suites and junior suites with 5-star standards. They offer dining at the Cloisters, the Rose Room or the Salon with excellent menus and a wide range of options from Breakfast through lunch, afternoon tea and dinner and a superb Sunday lunch. The Baroque Bar, Venetian LOunge and Library lounge are all in the original old quarters of Greyfriars offering an incredible atmosphere of old world charm with solid woods and leather, and there's a large terrace perfect for good weather days. Greyfriars Colchester is a luxurious and elegant venue for special occasions from large to small with high standards of service and exquisite cuisine, and they cater to corporate events and meetings.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

The Red Dog Cafe and Restaurant in Colchester, Essex offers a wonderful dining experience, with the cafe separate from the restaurant in the Inworth Barn serving an extensive selection of full day breakfasts and snacks with full table service, and is historic and rustic with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. The restaurant in the Prince of Wales freehouse boasts a contemporary a la carte menu and is most famous for it's steaks and prime beef burgers, they also have a stunning wine selection. The Red Dog Cafe and Restaurant hosts regular events and have a fabulous Christmas menu every season. They specialise in small parties and groups and will design a menu that suits from the basic buffet to the burger bar, a fantastic dining experience with delicious menu awaits.READ MORE

Leisure World Colchester offers year round fun for the whole family and they have swimming pools, a gym and a fantastic range of sports facilities including multi purpose sports halls for badminton, squash courts, tennis and basketball, and an astro turf pitch for football. Their swimming pools are available for water fitness classes, pool sessions and there's a swim school with teaching pool. Their comprehensive group fitness classes include over 60 exciting classes for people of all ages, levels of fitness and interests. Leisure World Colchester offers holiday fun, and is available for birthday parties with plenty to offer for memorable celebrations, there's a coffee shop with excellent menu and drinks, and Zoggs shop stocks all your swimwear needs and accessories, come visit, there's something for everyone here. READ MORE

The Four Sevens is a wonderful bed and breakfast and modern guest house just 5 minutes walk from Colchester town centre, in a quiet location. This large and spacious Victorian house offers comfortable accommodations in refurbished rooms with hospitality trays. LCD TV's with Freeview and Sky and DVD players, and free WIFI access. The Four Sevens Guesthouse offers you a warm and friendly welcome, and a generous breakfast to start your day, and Colchester and the surrounding area have a vast range of attractions, and over 2000 years of history, come for a magical stay.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