Local Attractions

The Best Western Marks Tey Hotel is ideally located as a base from which to discover the attractions of Colchester, North Essex and Suffolk.

Castle Park

Roman Colchester, Britain’s Oldest recorded town features many historical attractions including the Roman Walls, the Norman Castle and the museum which houses various collections of national and international importance. The hands-on displays are a must for all ages, and you can even visit the Castle's Prisons to experience the dark past times! The Castle is set in fabulous Gardens, designed in the Victorian era, where there is a boating lake, cricket ground, traditional café & riverside walk all to discover, this really is an Oasis in Colchester Town. For further information visit www.colchestermuseums.org.uk or telephone 01206 282939

Colchester Zoo

The award winning Colchester Zoo is a fantastic day out for adults and children. It is home to over 200 species of animals and reptiles in award winning enclosures. Here you have a chance to get close to the animals, feed the elephants and giraffes or see the free-flying birds of prey. For further information visit www.colchester-zoo.co.uk or telephone 01206 331292

The Bardfield Vineyard

www.thegreatlodgeexperience.com
Reviving ancient traditions in an idyllic location

The Great Lodge, Bardfield is currently the headquarters of a large rural enterprise, of which a hectare of viticulture plays a small but important part.

The vineyard was planted in 1990 on a south facing gentle slope and nestles beside a beautifully built Grade 1 listed brick and tile barn built by Anne of Cleeves in the mid-Sixteenth century.

As the soil and climate are somewhat similar to the Alsace region of France the descision was made to plant the varieties of Bacchus and Reichensteiner grape which are capable of producing very fruity aromatic wines of a consistently high quality.

These aromatic grape varieties are hand-picked at various times to achieve their optimum ripeness. They are then fermented in cool, stainless steel vats to produce a soft, clean finish with a fruity aroma.

Bardfield Vineyard was the winner of the 1998 "East Anglian Wine of the year Award" with the Bardfield Dry 1996 Vintage.

Tours take place between Easter and the end of September but to ensure a warm welcome it is advisable to phone first.  There are wine tastings and sales at the vineyard, which is open all year round.

Other Attractions

Layer Marney Tower is England's tallest Tudor Gatehouse dating back from 1520. For more information visit www.layermarneytower.co.uk

A short drive away is Constable Country, made famous by the paintings of John Constable, and the idyllic villages of Dedham and Flatford Mill. A wonderful place to visit for afternoon tea, a walk beside the river or to hire a rowing boat for an hour or two.
For further information visit http://www.constablecountry.co.uk/attractions.htm

The Suffolk village of Long Melford is famous for its antiques and many an hour can be passed in the many different shops along the length of the high street. Closer to the hotel (5 miles) is the village of Coggeshall which also features a number of small antique shops in its quaint streets.

The costal resorts of Walton-on-Naze, Frinton-on-sea and Clacton are about 20 miles away and for the shopping enthusiasts Braintree Freeport Factory Village is about 9 miles away whilst Lakeside & Bluewater shopping centres are an hour’s drive.
Other attractions include many English Vineyards, gardens and stately homes