Best Landmarks in Essex
Planning a trip to Essex? Discover the best landmarks in Essex with history, expert tips, and routes. Free on web or the Evendo app.
The best landmarks in Essex
- Top rated
- Closest to the centre
- Price level: low to high
- Time to spend: shortest first
- A–Z
19 landmarks
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Cathedral4.6★625 reviews
Chelmsford Cathedral
A welcoming 11th-century cathedral at the heart of Chelmsford's city centre, offering a serene sanctuary for worship, reflection, and cultural enrichment. Free entry with donations welcomed. The cathedral features beautiful stained-glass windows, a peaceful Chapel of St Peter, and hosts regular lunchtime music recitals and concerts throughout the year. Located just five minutes from bus and railway stations, it provides an accessible spiritual retreat amid the bustling city.
Mon–Sat 7:30–18:00 · Sun 7:30–17:00Time to spend 0.5–3 hrs
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Historical landmark4.4★218 reviews
English Heritage - St Botolph's Priory
St Botolph's Priory in Colchester is a striking ruin of one of England’s earliest Augustinian houses, founded around 1100. The site showcases impressive Norman architecture with massive circular pillars, round arches, and an elaborate west front built from flint and reused Roman bricks. Damaged during the 1648 Civil War siege, it remains a poignant reminder of medieval ecclesiastical history, set near Colchester’s Roman walls and town centre.
Daily 7:30–17:00Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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Museum4.2★170 reviews
Natural History Museum
Located in Colchester’s historic High Street, the Natural History Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s wildlife, geology, and climate history. Housed in a former church, this family-friendly museum features engaging exhibits including dinosaurs, local biodiversity, and interactive discovery stations. Open Tuesday to Sunday with free admission, it’s a perfect destination for all ages to explore nature’s past and present.
Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00 · Sun 11:00–17:00Time to spend 1–2 hrs
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Historical landmark4.5★115 reviews
Balkerne Gate
The Balkerne Gate in Colchester is the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain, dating back to the early 2nd century AD. Once the main western entrance to the walled Roman town of Camulodunum, it features an impressive quadruple-arched design with wide carriageways and pedestrian footways. This Grade I listed monument offers a tangible connection to Roman Britain's architectural and military history, standing as a remarkable testament to Colchester’s importance as a major Roman settlement.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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Anglican church4.6★71 reviews
St Vedast alias Foster
St Vedast-alias-Foster, located at 4 Foster Lane in London, is a historic Anglican church with origins dating back to the 12th century. Dedicated to the French saint Vedast, the church was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London and restored again following severe damage in the Blitz. Its distinctive baroque spire and collegiate-style interior reflect centuries of architectural evolution and resilience in the heart of the City of London.
Mon–Fri 10:00–15:00 · Sun 11:00–12:00Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Monument4.6★46 reviews
Colchester War Memorial
The Colchester War Memorial, located at 66 High Street, is a solemn monument commemorating the men and women of Colchester who served and sacrificed in the First and Second World Wars. Featuring bronze plaques and a Portland stone structure, it stands as a poignant symbol of local and national remembrance, honoring over a thousand fallen soldiers and those who contributed to the war efforts.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
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Archaeological museum4.0★62 reviews
Roman Theatre
Explore the haunting remains of a monumental Roman theatre in Colchester's Dutch Quarter, where darker paving marks the outline of an ancient amphitheatre that once seated 3,000 spectators. Dating from the 2nd–3rd centuries, this open-air archaeological site reveals the grandeur of Roman entertainment culture in Britain's oldest recorded town. Walk the streets where gladiators performed and crowds roared.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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Historical landmark4.4★36 reviews
The Gypsy Stone
The Gypsy Stone in Woodford, London, is a striking historical landmark commemorating Rodney 'Gipsy' Smith, a renowned British evangelist born to Romani parents in Epping Forest. Marked by a large stone carved with a traditional vardo wagon, it stands as a cultural symbol amidst the tranquil forest setting, reflecting Smith’s remarkable life and heritage.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
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Memorial4.6★29 reviews
Euston War Memorial
The Euston War Memorial, located at 190 Euston Road in London, is a solemn and historic monument commemorating the 3,719 employees of the London and North Western Railway who lost their lives in World War I. Featuring a 13-meter Portland stone obelisk and four bronze statues of servicemen, it stands as a poignant tribute amidst the bustling city, inviting reflection on sacrifice and history.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.2–1 hr
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Historical landmark4.4★30 reviews
Finchingfield Post Mill
Finchingfield Post Mill, built around 1756, is the oldest surviving post mill in Essex and a Grade II-listed historical landmark. Perched on a hill overlooking the picturesque village of Finchingfield, it is the last of seven windmills that once operated here. Though no longer functional since 1890, its rotating sails and traditional tail pole reflect the millwright craftsmanship of the 18th century. Open to visitors on select days, it offers a glimpse into rural England’s milling heritage.
Sun 14:00–17:00Price level $Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Walden Castle
Perched on a grassy mound in Saffron Walden, Walden Castle is a striking medieval ruin whose crumbling stone core hints at its turbulent past. Built in the 12th century during the Anarchy, this once-mighty fortress was deliberately weakened by royal order and left to decay, now standing as a quiet monument to power, rebellion, and the passage of time. Surrounded by open green space, it offers a peaceful spot to reflect on history while enjoying views across the historic market town.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Nigel’s Gate
Nigel’s Gate is a charming historical landmark located at White Cottage in Little Henham, near Saffron Walden, England. Known for its striking architecture and tranquil rural setting, it offers visitors a peaceful environment to appreciate local heritage and picturesque views. This site is ideal for leisurely walks, photography, and exploring the quiet English countryside atmosphere.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Middle Mill Weir
Middle Mill Weir is a historic water management structure on the River Colne in Colchester, England. Once integral to powering the adjacent Middle Mill via its waterwheel, the weir reflects the town’s industrial heritage. Despite its partial collapse in 2023, the site remains a notable landmark illustrating the historic relationship between water and industry in this ancient town.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Laindon War Memorial
The Laindon War Memorial, located in Danacre, Basildon, is a poignant historical landmark honoring the men and women from Laindon who served in the First and Second World Wars. Often accompanied by a commemorative water fountain celebrating King George V's Silver Jubilee, this memorial stands as a solemn reminder of sacrifice and community resilience in a peaceful setting.
Open 24 hoursTime to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Great Baddow Chain Home Radar Tower
The Great Baddow Chain Home Radar Tower is a 110-metre (360-foot) tall galvanized steel transmitter tower originally built in 1937 at RAF Canewdon, Essex. It played a crucial role in the UK’s early warning radar network during World War II, particularly in the Battle of Britain. Relocated to Great Baddow in 1956, it remains the only complete Chain Home radar tower surviving in the British Isles, now used by BAE Systems and mobile phone companies.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Prittlewell royal Anglo-Saxon burial
Discovered in 2003 near Southend-on-Sea, the Prittlewell royal Anglo-Saxon burial is the earliest known princely burial in England, dating to around 580 AD. This richly furnished timber chamber contained the remains of a high-status male, likely a Christian noble connected to the East Saxon royal family. The grave goods, including gold crosses, imported luxury items, and a unique folding stool, reveal a complex society at the dawn of England’s Christian era.
Price level $Time to spend 1–2 hrs
Watling St
Watling Street in London is a historic route originally used by ancient Britons and transformed into a major Roman road after AD 43. It played a pivotal role in military campaigns, including the decisive Battle of Watling Street where Roman forces defeated Queen Boudica’s rebellion. Today, it remains a significant cultural and historical landmark, with sections still visible beneath modern streets, marking centuries of England’s evolving history.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
Pudding Ln
Pudding Lane, a small historic street in London, is famously known as the starting point of the Great Fire of London in 1666. Named after the offal ('puddings') carried from the nearby meat market, this lane witnessed a blaze that reshaped the city’s architecture, fire safety laws, and insurance industry. Today, it stands as a symbol of resilience, near the Monument commemorating the disaster and London’s rebirth.
Time to spend 0.5–1.5 hrs
Lombard St
Lombard Street in London's City stands as one of Europe's most historically significant financial thoroughfares, stretching from Gracechurch Street to Poultry. This narrow, elegant street has served as the beating heart of British banking since medieval times, when Lombard merchants from northern Italy established themselves here in the 12th century. Today, it remains lined with distinguished Georgian and Victorian architecture, housing financial institutions, upscale restaurants, and historic churches. The street's rich heritage, combined with its architectural charm and proximity to landmarks like the Bank of England and Royal Exchange, makes it an essential destination for history enthusiasts and those seeking to understand London's financial legacy.
Time to spend 0.5–2 hrs
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