Did you know Essex is full of royal treasures from mediaeval castles to Henry VIII’s old hunting grounds? To celebrate King Charles III’s coronation, Visit Essex, the county’s tourism body, is uncovering royal hidden treasures and encouraging locals to immerse themselves in a day out full of royal history.
Lisa Bone, Tourism and Place Marketing Manager, believes people of Essex will be surprised about the county’s royal connections. She said: “Essex has so many great connections to royalty, especially Henry VIII, who regularly travelled to Essex for hunting and weekend retreats! There are many links to our royal past tucked away in Essex and we’d encourage residents to find out a little more about our county’s history and royal connections.”
Visit Essex’s Top Places to Visit with a Royal Connection:
Take a visit to Epping Forest, which Henry II made a Royal Forest in the twelfth century, giving the Crown the right to hunt deer on the land. The forest was also used for hunting by Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I! In 1543, Henry VIII commissioned a stunning timber-framed building, which is now known as Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge. Wander through the ancient forest, or cycle through on its clearly marked routes. Private tours of Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge can also be booked from £5 per person.
Waltham Abbey, which has been a place of worship since the 7th century, is believed to be the final resting place of King Harold. Famously killed in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings, Harold, who was also the Earl of Essex, owned large estates in Waltham and founded the abbey. Today, visitors can see a fine 14th century gatehouse and bridge that still remains.
Another royal treasure to visit is Rochford Hall, a manor house near Southend, said to be where Henry VIII first laid eyes on a young Anne Boleyn. The hall is believed to have had an underground tunnel that the King used to secretly visit Anne while he was still married. Once the pair tied the knot, they acquired the Tudor Mansion, ‘New Hall’, near Chelmsford, in 1517 and renamed it Beaulieu Palace. The building later reverted to New Hall and became a boarding school.
Henry VIII’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, also left her mark on Essex. As part of their marriage annulment agreement, Anne was given an estate in Great Bardfield in North Essex. The estate has now been converted to an impressive wedding and wine tasting venue, where visitors can view the Grade I listed ‘Anne of Cleves’ barn. The vineyard hosts wine tasting tours, which run from May to September, and cost from £18, including a wine-tasting session in the Queen’s own barn.
Hedingham Castle is an historic venue, with royal connections dating back to 1086, when William the Conqueror awarded the manor to Aubrey de Vere. The castle also hosted a royal visit from King Stephen’s wife, Queen Matilda, who visited in 1152. Now, visitors can experience a regal lifestyle at the castle with a night in their newly opened Royal Chamber. The suite offers a four-poster bed, bathtub for two, plus stunning views over the estate, rivers and villages beyond. To experience life as a King in the Royal Chamber, prices start from £495 a night, including a bottle of champagne, chocolates and breakfast for two. Hedingham Castle is also open to the general public, and tickets are priced at £11 for adults, £9 for children and under fours go free.
Layer Marney Tower, the tallest Tudor gatehouse in the UK, was built by the 1st Lord Marney, who was a courtier for both Henry VII and Henry VIII. The tower is a magnificent feat of Tudor architecture, and Queen Elizabeth I is believed to have visited the home in 1579. Layer Marney is open to the public on Sundays and Wednesdays, admission for adults is priced at £10, children are free, and those aged 13-17 are £7. Tours of the tower and other special events happen at regular dates throughout the summer.
Ingatestone Hall is another Tudor mansion well worth a visit. The moated manor house was built by Sir William Petre, Secretary of State to four Tudor monarchs and is still owned by the same family today. Ingatestone Hall is a fascinating window into history with guided and non-guided tours available of the hall and its gardens on certain days. Entry is £8.50 for adults (17+) and £4 for children (aged 5-16).
