Billericay and Brentwood

Billericay houses the picturesque 4000 year old Norsey Wood Nature Reserve, the ideal place for a family day out in the fresh air, among idyllic surroundings.

Barleylands Farm Museum is a great place for children, a petting zoo where kids can cuddle the rabbits and feed the chicks. It also features blacksmiths, a glassblower, craft studios and the creme de la creme, a miniature steam railway.

Something for the adults is the Hanningfield Reservoir and Nature Reserve. This has a great 100 acres of woodland around an 870 acre reservoir, both of which are sites of special scientific interest due to their wildfowl communities.

After a long day, a trip to the 16th century Thatchers Arms in Brentwood, could be exactly what the doctor ordered. It is set midst the Essex countryside and they serve fresh food throughout the day, it is the perfect way to experience an English village pub, and rest those weary limbs.