In between the concerts ...

Here are some ideas on making the most of your visit to the Roman River Festival and enjoying a holiday in coastal Essex.

Colchester's new art gallery has just opened in the centre of town. The architecture is thrilling and it has a permanent art collection, visiting shows and kids activities as well as a restaurant and bookshop.

On a more intimate scale but equally as brilliantly curated is the Geedon Gallery in Fingringhoe, down a pretty lane and near the beautiful nature reserve, where you can see wonderful art and sculpture with an East Anglian lean.

You can eat oysters at the Mersea Oyster bar or the famous Company Shed, sail a majestic Thames sailing barge down from Maldon, visit Beth Chatto's Gardens, (left) one of the most beautiful in the country, see rare birds at one of the UK's best bird reserves and other wildlife in various locations especially Abberton Reservoir, buy a local map (OS 184) and enjoy walking (both seawalks and country walks ) round the idyllic villages (walking guides here) maybe via our local winemakers, and finish up at one of the many pubs.

In Colchester, visit the castle and eat out at the best restaurants. The tranquil river Stour in Suffolk is also within reach, where you can go boating and explore the landscape which inspired great works by Constable, Gainsborough, Munnings and Nash.

Roman River walk described by the BBC.

Excellent website describing various activities

Where to stay the night


B&B's:

Emma Dixon 01206 735 247 / emmadixon.hams@virgin.net
Hams Farm
Abberton Road
Fingringhoe CO5 7AL


Ruth & Martin Dence 01206 383 235 / bromansfarm@btopenworld.com
Bromans Lane
East Mersea CO5 8UE


Andrew & Nicky Ellis 01206 735 166 / b&b@nickyellis.com
Ransomes
Wigborough Road
Peldon CO5 7RA


Wendy Mitchell 01206 735 298 / swamitchell@googlemail.com
Kestons Farm
Great Wigborough CO5 7RE


Jane Lochore 01206 573 595 / lochorem8@aol.com
Fridaywood Farm
Bounstead Road
Colchester CO2 0DF


The Layer Fox 01206 738 723 / enquiries@thelayerfox.co.uk
The Sleepy Fox B & B
Layer de la Haye CO2 0JH

Wendy Anderson 01206 545 154 / wendyanderson15@hotmail.com
The Old Manse
15 Roman Road
Colchester CO1 1UR


Ellie & James Carbutt 01206 271 359 / 07767 608 437 / info@mounthall.co.uk
Mount Hall
London Road
Great Horkesley CO6 4BZ

Mr and Mrs P Bunting 01206 734 350 / peterbunting@btconnect.com
Rye Farm
Rye Lane
Layer de la Haye CO2 0J

Food and drink

The Plough 01206 735 808
Lower Road
Peldon CO5 7QR


Whalebone 01206 729 307
Fingringhoe CO5 7BG


The Anchor Inn 01206 728 382
High Street
Rowhedge CO5 7ES


The Langenhoe Lion 01206 735 263
Mersea Road
Abberton CO5 7LF


The Company Shed 01206 382 700
129 Coast Road
West Mersea CO5 8PA


West Mersea Oyster Bar 01206 381 600
Coast Road
West Mersea CO5 8LT


Juniper at Clarice House 01206 734 301 Thursday - Saturday only from 7pm. This is a very special restaurant and deserves a whole evening!

The Lemon Tree, Colchester 01206 767 337