Holiday rentals and lettings in Colchester

Take time off and come and explore this incredibly picturesque corner of Essex where the quaintest villages you have ever seen, gorgeous historic pubs and miles of beautiful, lush Essex countryside await your discovery! Colchester is a perfect location for exploring this lovely region of England as it offers you easy access to the extraordinary natural beauty of Dedham Vale as well as the beautiful beaches on the Essex Coast.

With a fantastic selection of holiday rentals and lettings on offer ranging from refurbished historic buildings to modern accommodation dotted in and around the town of Colchester, near Wivenhoe, Mersea Island and Dedham in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you are set for a splendid Essex countryside getaway. Here you will be close to town amenities as well as rugged nature and rural settings. Many of these spacious, fully equipped, stylishly furnished holiday lettings and rentals feature a lovely outdoor garden for a morning cuppa! Find a perfect sized rental for just 2 or size up to accommodate 4, 6, or even 8 guests!

Colchester´s location offers access to multiple magnificent hiking trails in Dedham Vale where an abundance of routes can be explored suitable for all ages and abilities in the heart of England´s fabled Constable Countryside. Colchester is a fairly large, picturesque, bustling historical town with quaint heritage architecture in England´s south east with a vibrant local gastro pub scene. Located just 1.5 hours by car north east of central London, this is a great destination for a quick getaway. Dedham Vale is just 20 minutes north of Colchester.

In and around Colchester you will find a unique corner of England replete with beautiful, historical buildings, picturebook rural settings, gorgeous quintessential English villages with adorable cottages, miles of unspoiled countryside and lovely sandy beaches. Mersea island is an idyllic place to holiday with its colourful, wooden Victorian beach houses, pristine havens for birds and dramatic cliffs where fossils can be found. Here you can eat your fill of fresh oysters and scallops!

Lace up your hiking shoes, gather some snacks and try out some of the magnificent hiking trails in Dedham Vale where you can head in any direction and see beautiful views and scenery! Try the 14.5 km Box Valley circular walk that meanders past the mysterious ruins of Tendring Hall, the spooky remains of one of England's lost country houses. Seasoned hikers will love the 19 km Brett Valley walk that takes you through the incredibly picturesque villages of Withermarsh Green, Shelley and Higham as well as an original Anglo Saxon settlement!

There is so much for an amateur historian to enjoy in this part of the world. Colchester is a treasure trove of antiquities and Colchester Castle that dates back to Norman times is a great place to start with your exploring! Colchester is one of Britain's foremost historical towns and you can trace Norman, Tudor and Victorian influence here amongst the exquisite heritage buildings. Stop by at the Hollytrees Museum for a peak at 300 years of domestic and childhood history and be sure to visit the Natural History Museum. Further afield the East Anglian Railway Museum and historic Giffords Hall await your discovery!

Explore Colchester´s treasure trove of ancient history at Colchester Castle where you can step back hundreds of years in time amidst the impressive stonework of the largest Norman keep in Europe and admire some of Britain's most relevant historical finds such as Celtic coins, Bronze age vessels and ancient Roman jewellery. Browse a wide variety of fascinating interactive displays and have a go at steering a Roman Chariot!

Just north of Colchester you can surround yourself with the incredible natural beauty of Dedham Vale, a peaceful panorama that has provided so much inspiration to renowned British painters such as John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough throughout the ages. Dedham is one of the most beautiful villages in Essex and it is easy to see why! The dreamy spires of Gorgeous St Mary´s church, peaceful canals and gorgeous heritage cottages make this a place of unsurpassed rustic charm.

Looking for a superb lunch spot with river terrace dining and incredible food that also happens to be a historical building? Look no further than the award winning Le Talbooth in Dedham perched on the lush banks of the River Stour. This fabulous listed building houses one of the best restaurants in the area with a renowned Sunday lunch menu that features delectable roast ribs of English beef!

Vintage railway enthusiasts are in for a treat at this fabulous working museum that showcases the history of Eastern County railways. See stunning Victorian buildings on a wonderful family outing with plenty of interactive experiences around working vintage signal boxes and train rides on the demonstration line on restored trains! This is where fans of Thomas the Tank Engine can immerse themselves in the world of Thomas and Friends at the very popular Day Out With Thomas events!

Fancy a day at the beach? Just 25 minutes south west of Colchester is the lovely, iconic Essex beach of Brightlingsea. This popular seaside destination for daytrippers boasts lovely sandy beaches with gorgeous colourful bathing huts and local sailing and yachting clubs that host big events as well as a peaceful boating lake. This is a lovely place for eating ice creams, building sandcastles and strolling along the seawall looking at seabirds!