Hidden Gems

Liquorice Wine & Deli

Liquorice Wine & Deli is an independent wine merchant, bottle shop, bar and delicatessen on Shenfield High Street. Established in 2013, it offers handpicked wines, craft drinks, artisan food and a walk-in cheese room. Visitors can stop for drinks and food, shop for bottles and deli goods, or join regular wine-and-cheese tastings, events and pop-ups.

Shenfield

The Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre

The Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre (GWT) is a theatre for everyone. Whether you love sitting in the audience, fancy having a go on stage, enjoy working behind the scenes, or would rather welcome people through the doors, there’s a place for you here. Membership is open to everyone, and new members are always welcome. As a member, you’ll get reduced ticket prices, priority booking for the season and our monthly newsletter, Whitwords. There are plenty of ways to get involved. You might find yourself acting, building a set, sorting costumes, running the lights or sound, helping in the bar or box office, or simply enjoying the shows and supporting the people who make them happen. Whatever brings you through the doors, you’ll be part of the GWT family and we’d love to see you.

Maldon Coffee Company

Maldon Coffee Company is a family-run independent café in the High Street, with a large coffee and tea selection, homemade cakes, vegan and gluten-free choices, workspace-friendly Wi-Fi and dog-friendly seating. Telephone: 01621 880188.

Maldon

Mrs Salisbury’s Famous Tea Rooms – Maldon High Street

Mrs Salisbury’s Maldon flagship occupies a historic building over three floors just off the High Street at Bright’s Path. It serves breakfast, lunch, cakes and afternoon tea. Telephone: 01621 888863. Email: maldon@mrssalisburys.co.uk.

Maldon

The Waffle House St Albans

The Waffle House has served sweet and savoury waffles at Kingsbury Watermill since 1978. Its distinctive mill setting makes it a longstanding independent St Albans favourite.

St Albans

George Street Canteen

George Street Canteen is a family-run independent café close to the cathedral, known for breakfast, lunch, baked treats and coffee. Telephone: 01727 831540.

St Albans

Waffle+Coffee Café & Bistro

Waffle+Coffee is an independent café and bistro in Market Walk, serving sweet and savoury waffles, brunch dishes and coffee in the heart of town.

Saffron Walden

The Vegan Way

The Vegan Way serves plant-based lunches, drinks and treats Monday–Saturday, 10am–4pm.

Braintree

The Booking Hall Café

A popular Flitch Way stop for walkers and cyclists, serving substantial sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks.

Braintree

Directory listing

TOAST Braintree

TOAST Braintree is open seven days a week with coffee, cold drinks, freshly made sandwiches, toasties and cakes.

Braintree

Margo's

An independent deli and restaurant from Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown and her brother Ben, serving speciality coffee, house bakes, breakfast and European-inspired lunches and dinners.

Woburn

Zoohause Woburn

An independent interiors destination inside Woburn's 1830 Old Town Hall, curating distinctive furniture, lighting, homeware, fragrance and gifts from around the world.

Woburn

Woburn Coffee House

A licensed boutique afternoon-tea house in a Grade II-listed 16th-century building, with an elegant orangery, private rooms and walled garden. Everything on the tea stand is made on site.

Woburn

Paris House

A destination tasting-menu restaurant in Woburn Estate's deer park, serving innovative modern British cooking with seasonal menus, a chef's table and special food-and-wine experiences.

Woburn

Lussmanns Woburn

A sustainable brasserie in a handsome Grade II-listed Georgian building, with an intimate front bar, generous dining rooms and a 70-metre garden with a summer pizza oven.

Woburn

Fratelli Cucina Italiana

Award-winning, family-owned Italian restaurant in a historic building, serving authentic dishes built around simple produce, with a garden terrace for food and drinks.

Woburn

Woburn Thai

An individually styled village restaurant serving freshly prepared Thai dishes with attentive table service and a broad menu of aromatic, sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours.

Woburn

The Goat and Grass

The Goat and Grass is a town-centre café for coffee, breakfast and brunch, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options and dog-friendly service.

Saffron Walden

Chater’s

Chater’s is an independent kitchen and bakery serving coffee, pastries and daytime food, with dinner later in the week and an emphasis on seasonal local ingredients.

Saffron Walden

Coffee House in the Gardens

The café serves coffee and freshly prepared food in Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens.

Braintree

Norsey Wood

An ancient coppiced woodland and local nature reserve on the edge of Billericay, criss-crossed with paths and known for its spring bluebells and its Scheduled Ancient Monument earthworks.

Billericay

The Fold

A beautiful converted Victorian junior school on Laindon Road, run as a community arts centre by Billericay Arts Association — a registered charity established in 1979 and staffed entirely by volunteers. Home to craft groups, classes and workshops throughout the year.

Billericay

Chelmsford Riverside Walk

One of Chelmsford City Council's Heart and Sole walks, following the rivers through the middle of the city past Central Park. A flat, easy green route that most people walk past without realising how far it goes.

Chelmsford

Lake Meadows

Around 40 acres of public park on the west side of Billericay, with mature trees and a large man-made lake. A generous, quietly beautiful stretch of open land for a small town, cared for with the help of the Friends of Lake Meadows.

Billericay

Patrick Green

A traditional hardware store in the village of Ingatestone, established in 1888. Thousands of lines across paint and decorating, timber, housewares, tools, plumbing, electrical, gardening and security — including loose nuts, bolts, screws and nails by the handful, which is rare on any high street now.

Ingatestone

Thorndon Country Park

Ancient woodland, open parkland and waymarked trails south of Brentwood, popular for family walks, dog walking and the Gruffalo trail, with a cafe and visitor centre on site.

Brentwood

Oaktree Gallery

A friendly gallery space on Ingatestone High Street selling greeting cards, small unusual gifts, hand-made jewellery and selected furniture pieces. Worth a slow browse if you are hunting for something that is not on every other high street.

Ingatestone

Weald Country Park

Over 520 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and open grassland on the edge of Brentwood, famous for its deer park, Stick Man trail and long views. Open every day from 8am to dusk, with a cafe near the visitor centre.

Brentwood

Ingatestone Hall

Ingatestone Hall is a historic Tudor house where visitors can explore eight principal rooms containing paintings, furniture and family memorabilia, followed by ten acres of gardens. The house generally opens on Wednesdays, Sundays and bank holidays between Easter and the end of September, with special events sometimes changing normal access. Guided group tours can be arranged separately, and visitors should check the official events page before travelling.

Ingatestone