Essex

Forget everything you think you know about Essex. This is a county that constantly surprises — a place of salt marshes and wild skies, of sleepy estuaries where the tide creeps in like a secret. Here, colourful beach huts sit shoulder to shoulder along windswept shores, Georgian villages hide cosy pubs behind ivy-covered walls, and the air always smells faintly of sea and adventure. It’s England’s sunniest county, too, which somehow feels exactly right: Essex has that open-hearted, golden feel about it.

Head inland and you’ll find gentle farmland rolling toward ancient woodland and elegant market towns like Saffron Walden and Coggeshall, where half-timbered houses lean as if sharing gossip. There’s history here too — Roman ruins in Colchester, medieval towers, and sprawling estates where deer wander at dawn. And yet, Essex never feels old. There’s a spark of modern creativity threaded through it all: quirky cafés in converted barns, artists’ studios tucked into fishing villages, and a thriving food scene that champions local makers and bold flavours. See our top Kip tips for the region, below.

It’s close enough to London for spontaneous escapes, yet worlds away in pace and mood. Whether you come for the coast, the countryside, or just to feel the sun on your face, we love this corner of East Anglia for being everything other than the cliches. Find unique places to stay in Essex right here: lakeside lodges with outdoor baths and design-led homes that will make you swoon.