Essex is packed with many top-notch attractions ideal for families, solo travelers, and couples. If you head to Southend-on-Sea, for example, you can spend all day long having fun at Adventure Island. Popular rides and attractions that you need to try include Ramba Zamba and City Wheel. You will also find RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford interesting. Open daily, the garden boasts highlights such as Clover Hill and Lake and Dry Garden. You can also stop by Promenade Park in Maldon or Castle Park in Colchester.
Did you know that Essex is also a wonderful destination for a romantic getaway? There are many places to explore here with your significant other. To learn more, read on to find out about the top romantic getaways in Essex, UK.
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to couple-friendly amenities and activities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on June 27, 2025.
1. Chelmsford
Delicious breakfast with a variety of options, well-prepared evening meals, and accommodating staff for dietary needs.
Reasonable pricing for spacious rooms and excellent facilities.
Peaceful countryside location with easy access to nearby attractions.
Beautiful grounds, indoor and outdoor pools, spa facilities, and ample parking.
Located at a distance of about 16.7 miles (26.88 kilometers) from Essex, Chelmsford is a romantic destination that you should consider for a getaway. After driving for around 20 minutes, you will arrive in the city and start exploring.
More religious couples can stop by Chelmsford Cathedral. Although the size of the church is small, you can still bask in spirituality and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere here. It is also interesting to visit Chelmsford Museum. The collections such as discoveries from the Iron Age and British fossils can help you gain insights into the history of the city.
Pontlands Park Hotel
12.63 km (7.9 mi) from Promenade Park
County Hotel
15.66 km (9.8 mi) from Promenade Park
Essex, England, United Kingdom
14.7 km (9.2 mi) from Promenade ParkSuperhost
Accommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
great host really helpful lovely placelovely friendly hosts great comms and easy check in with great instructionssophie is a great host and has a an aptitude for making guests feel welcomehosts communicated clearly with lots of useful information which made for a seamless staysophi was a great host apartment was in a great location but still very peacefulLocation:
ideal if you want to be close to chelmsford stationgood location easy to findanother perfect stay at sophis placehad everything i needed & perfect location short walk from the stationnice little appartment close by to many attractionsCleanliness:
the apartment was very clean light with comfy bednice little touches very clean & also felt very safe in the buildingmy stay at sophi’s place was great the apartment was very clean and well managedthe apartment was clean fresh and is stocked up with everything you needapartment was immaculate very clean and tidy and had everything you might possibly need and moreRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
wifi was goodthe fan provided was very welcome howeverit’s very lucky to me stay in this apartment when moving to uk chelmsfordwe also gain a super nice view from the apartment when the weather is gooda gorgeous little apartment in heart of chelmsford
2. Colchester
Drive for about 45 minutes to cover a distance of 37.4 miles (60.19 kilometers) from Essex and you will arrive in Colchester for a laid-back yet romantic vacation.
Enjoy each other’s company by having a leisurely stroll at the lovely High Woods Country Park. Reconnect with nature as you see the woodland, the lake, and diverse wildlife. For a couple of fun hours, give Colchester Zoo a try. Here, be ready to meet face-to-face with more than 160 species, with the popular inhabitants being aardvarks, komodo dragons, and chimpanzees.
GreyFriars
23.55 km (14.7 mi) from Promenade Park
Wivenhoe House Hotel
24.82 km (15.5 mi) from Promenade Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
martin is a great host and provided us with everythingmartin was friendly and helpfulmartin is very cooperative and helpful manmartin couldn’t have been nicer very lovely hostmartin was really friendly and the check in was greatLocation:
perfect location close to the townfantastic and so close to castle parkgreat location for town (3min walk into the high st)we really enjoyed our stay in colchester thanks to this ideally located flat (few minutes walk from town centre)perfectly situated for walking to all the historic parts of colchester some great restaurants close byCleanliness:
flat was extremely clean and tidyaccommodation was clean well equipped and modernspotless comfortable and beautiful spacious flatthe apartment is excellently equipped and spotlessly cleaneverything at a great standard and very cleanRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
there is a kitchen and washing machine big and comfortable bed and two tvsoverall i really recommend this apartment and would come here again
3. Braintree
Good variety and quality breakfast, friendly staff, and convenient dining options nearby.
Reasonable pricing with complimentary breakfast, parking, and good value for money.
Ideal for airport access, central for local attractions, and easy access to major roads.
Convenient location, EV chargers, spacious and clean rooms, dog-friendly, and free parking.
Another destination worth visiting for a romantic getaway is Braintree. This beautiful town in England is located about 28.8 miles (46.35 kilometers) away from Essex which will take you around a 40-minute drive to get here.
If you and your partner love nature very much, Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens is a must-visit attraction. After a romantic walk in the garden, you are welcome to challenge each other with a game of tennis on the court. Then, visit Braintree District Museum to explore an extensive collection of paintings, archaeology, and fossils, among others.
Holiday Inn Express Braintree by IHG This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
19.1 km (11.9 mi) from Promenade Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
our hosts were immediately responsive and handled all our queriesdupe was a great friendly host & very responsive too with any queries that i hadthey are wonderful hosts and i could not recommend this listing more highlyLocation:
the central location was an ideal base for us over a few daysgreat location and very easy to get to and they were very welcominga beautiful place easy to find and felt like we were in the middle of the countrysideamazing location… unbelievable host…a really lovely place to stay for our friend’s wedding nearbyCleanliness:
the whole place feels new clean and freshthe apartment is absolutely brand new and spotlessly cleanvery clean and decorated to a very high standard with everything you needit was lovely and clean exactly what we wanted and just like the photos - thank youvery clean and cosy with a beautiful view of the lakeRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the accommodation is modern well designed and comfortablevery comfortable bed all in all excellent
Top guest reviews
Host:
edwin is a great host friendly helpful and responsivethe host was very helpful from the start of the booking and when i arrived at the apartmentLocation:
great location to walk into townlovely clean apartment with a great location everything you needCleanliness:
really really clean and great communicationexacly how it says very clean and spacious one bedroom apartment would definetly come backclean smart well equipped great size everything you need for a stayRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
apartment was in a great location had all the mods and secure parking
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4. Brentwood
Brentwood is located about 14.6 miles (23.50 kilometers) away from Chelmsford which will take you approximately a 30-minute drive before reaching this romantic town. As soon as you set foot in here, find your way to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary which provides care for mistreated and unwanted animals. Donkeys, a cat, and a macaw are among the residents.
You may also be interested in visiting Calcott Hall Farm. Here, you can buy cheese and freshly baked cakes to satisfy your appetite during your trip.
Holiday Inn Brentwood by IHG
31.71 km (19.8 mi) from Promenade Park
Marygreen Manor
31.0 km (19.3 mi) from Promenade Park
Essex, England, United Kingdom
30.08 km (18.7 mi) from Promenade ParkAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
the check in process was seamless and the host was very responsive and accommodatingLocation:
great place great locationneighborhood seems pretty safe and it's a short walk to the train stationthe location is also great as it's only a ten-minute walk to the high streetCleanliness:
the listing was as described and clean with all the basics like dishes and cooking utensilsthe cleaning service was great they replaced towels and bedsheets as well as cleaning the kitchen and bathroomcommutation and cleanliness was good and on pointRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
is is such a beautiful apartment as it looks in the pictures
5. Harwich
If you do not mind driving for about half an hour long from Colchester, you can stop and see Harwich. Plan a romantic trip by visiting Light Vessel 18. Before all navigational aids existed, the LV18 was there already. It still preserves its original form.
Interested in art? Do not skip a visit to Harwich Museum. Step back in time as you look at the collections such as the sports exhibits and the Hi-de-Hi exhibition at the museum.
The Pier Hotel
47.91 km (29.8 mi) from Promenade Park
The Bottle Kiln Wetherspoon
Address: 60 Kingsway Dovercourt
46.94 km (29.2 mi) from Promenade Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
great host to liaise withthe host paul was super responsive and very accommodating and access information was clearthere's parking at the back of the property for several cars which was also really helpfulLocation:
tastefully decorated and perfect location for the areagreat garden and so close to the beachCleanliness:
dovercourt itself is lovely - a small clean beach made of sand and shellsRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
loads of room for two families amazing views and great hostwe loved the sea views especially from the top floor bedroom and the living roomthe rooms were very well put together with 5* quality beds and linennicely decorated throughout with beautiful bedrooms beds were extremely comfy
6. Clacton-on-Sea
Clacton-on-Sea is about 54.6 miles (87.87 kilometers) away from the center of Essex, so the drive is bound to be about one hour. Once you arrive at the beautiful town, you can go straight to Clacton Pier if you are not tired. Have fun playing bowling and arcade games when you are here. Other attractions include rides, the Jurassic Pier, and petrol go-karts.
Also, it would be interesting to see who can solve puzzles and challenges faster, and you can do so at Cluetopia. You can choose to be in a wizard room or have a cave adventure.
The Royal Hotel
32.71 km (20.4 mi) from Promenade Park
Esplanade Hotel
Address: 27-29 Marine Parade East
32.93 km (20.5 mi) from Promenade Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
superb host very attentiveimmaculate accommodation with very welcoming owners who were always help fullsusan was a wonderful host and we felt very welcome with nothing too much troublewe had a friendly welcome from the owner as well as a very nice welcome packLocation:
plenty of free parking and literally only 2 minutes walk to the beachhowever it is great for all with it's lovely walk in shower wet roomsCleanliness:
perfectly clean and lots of provisionsspotlessly clean and spacious with some lovely extra touchesa lovely week by the sea very convenient for the beach very clean and comfortableRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
the beds were also of good quality with crisp white linen
7. Maldon
You will love spending time with your favorite person in this beautiful town called Maldon which is situated just 4.5 miles (7.24 kilometers) away from Danbury. Here, there are lots of attractions to be enjoyed together.
Spend a few hours at Combined Military Services Museum. From a collection of Special Forces to a wide display of military intelligence equipment, all are at the museum. Before returning to the accommodation of your choice, you may want to stop by The Mighty Oak Tap Room. Enjoy pork pies and cheese boards with the accompaniment of beer.
White Horse
1.2 km (0.8 mi) from Promenade Park
The Limes By Luigis Al Fresco
1.13 km (0.7 mi) from Promenade Park
Essex, England, United Kingdom
1.2 km (0.8 mi) from Promenade ParkAccommodates: 2
Top guest reviews
Host:
great host and a lovely spaceRead more reviewsLocation:
good location - close to all the actionexcellent apartment right in the heart of maldon high streetlovely stay - great apartment in a good locationthe place is located within a square and most definitely requires directions to get to
8. Frinton-on-Sea
With so many well-maintained attractions to explore, Frinton-on-Sea is definitely a place that should be on your next travel bucket list.
In this beautiful town, you can enjoy a romantic time walking by Frinton Beach where you can feel the waves gently sweep your feet. Afterward, you can indulge in a picnic in one of the beach huts. You may also be interested in playing golf at Frinton Golf Club. You can try the 18-hole Havers Course or the 9-hole Kirby Course.
Top guest reviews
Location:
great location close to the beachfabulous location within walking distance of a beautiful sandy beachquiet location great spot to see local familygreat property higher spec than normal fantastic location in the hidden part of frinton on sea great locationit's close to the sea and we were really happy with the stayRead more reviewsCleanliness:
excellent host and lovely clean propertyfriendly owners of a well equipped comfortable and clean property in an excellent location for frinton seafront
Top guest reviews
Host:
mary is a great hostmary is a friendly and conscientious hostthe host is very helpful & good with communicationmary is very helpful and the flat is stylish and well equippedwe really felt at home staying here and the communication from the host was greatLocation:
it’s in a perfect locationthe price is reasonable and the location is perfectperfect location in frinton and only a short walk and you are on the beachideal location near to beach and shops as well as walking to walton on the nazethere is a sainsbury's local 5 minutes walk away and countless interesting shops along connaught avenueCleanliness:
exactly as described very clean and well equippedthis was a lovely clean spacious and well-equipped apartmenta lovely spacious clean and comfortable accomodationthe flat was also light clean and well equippedthe loft was very clean & i would recommend people staying here in futureRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
a wonderful sea view loft apartmentit was light and airy and comfortable with nice views locallythe loft apartment was lovely beautifully furnished and decorated and well equiped and the views spectaculargreat air bnb for our weekend getaway comfortable and cosy would definatley stay againand it was nice just to sit read and relax in the homely feel of the loft apartment
9. Thorpe-le-Soken
Fantastic restaurant meals with good breakfast options, although some menu items were limited
Reasonable pricing for a spa-focused hotel with a range of treatments
Great location near the coast with tranquil surroundings and wheelchair accessibility
Beautiful gardens, spacious rooms, excellent spa facilities, and friendly staff
Searching for a serene destination for a romantic getaway? Look no further than the village of Thorpe-le-Soken whose beauty can take your breath away. You can stop by Beaumont Quay and John Weston Nature Reserve, among others.
It would be best to enjoy a walk instead of driving a car when you marvel at the historic houses and buildings across the village. Roolph Junior School, which was built back in 1870, is the highlight along with a police station and the church of St Michael’s.
Lifehouse Spa And Hotel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
36.27 km (22.6 mi) from Promenade Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
the host was really friendly and the house was beautifulhost very helpful and good communicationsbeautiful house with friendly & helpful hostskim was a brilliant host very communicative and responsivestunning the host has considered every conceivable detail to ensure that your stay is as comfortable as possibleLocation:
we had a lovely stay at the house and the location was greatthe location was ideal and it was simple to reach the coasthighly recommended- great location with the seaside 15 minutes away and local pubs pretty much on your doorstepwell-equipped comfortable 2 bedroom house with everything on hand tucked away in a corner of the villagehighly recommend perfect place location and an amazing hostRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
great private little garden at the back with table chairs and sun loungers
Top guest reviews
Host:
she was kind and consideratesally was a great hosthome from home so helpful excellent stayfantastic home with an exceptional hostsally was a charming hostLocation:
location good for local pubs and short drive to the seasidea perfect birthday weekend in a lovely locationthe location is perfect as it is a 15 minute drive from the beachsally's house is a perfect location for a great retreat for a good group of friendsperfect location for a get togeher with a big group of friends or familyCleanliness:
clean and fresh bedsthe rooms were all very clean and the house had everything we neededas for the house it was a lovely clean home and perfect for a group bookingbeautiful clean homely space gorgeous scenery no restrictive rulesthe farmhouse is very nice clean and at a good locationRead more reviewsAmenities & Room:
wifi was ok for simple internet use and covered all the areas of the house that we usedcomfortable and with plenty of space for 13it is a charming rustic cottage made practicable with a large conservatory joining all rooms togetherthe rooms were all lovely comfortable and warmsally's place is fantastic - there is lots of space/bedrooms a big kitchen and a huge garden
10. Basildon
Situated about a 10-minute drive away from Shotgate and Great Burstead, Basildon is one of the largest towns in the area so you can expect many great spots here.
Find your way to Wat Tyler Country Park to treat your eyes to beautiful views of nature. You will also have an opportunity to spot wildlife and indulge in a scenic stroll here. For some entertainment, you can stop by Towngate Theatre. Musical performances and concerts are hosted here. To see what is on right now, you may check out the theater’s official website.
Holiday Inn Basildon, an IHG Hotel This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
22.3 km (13.9 mi) from Promenade Park
Top guest reviews
Host:
willie was very accommodating and extremely helpfulthe hosts are really wonderful people they welcomed us and were always available every time we needed somethingthe 'flat' is a detached bungalow in the beautiful gardens of the hostthere were some really nice touches with our hosts going the extra mile given our late arrivalall fab super helpful to my engineer and no issues at allRead more reviewsLocation:
we really enjoyed staying in this place
Top guest reviews
Host:
very helpful & kindgreat host very helpful good flathost was fantastic i'd recommend it anytimegreat host and great base if you need to be in that areacharlotte was very responsive from the startLocation:
great location for working in basildon and close to a beautiful park perfect for walking the dogall round cool apartment and great locationideal location for a short stay to visit friends nearby - clear instructions and parking on site thankswould definitely recommend and use again if i ever need a place in the areagreat place for a family to stayRead more reviewsCleanliness:
great place to stay very clean tidy and quiteit was lovely and cleanspacious clean quiet super-comfortable and cozy bedcharlotte is a wonderful host the apartment is very nice clean and had everything we needed
Create beautiful memories with your loved one in Essex
As you can see, there are so many places that you can visit if you plan to have a romantic vacation in Essex. Plan an unforgettable trip for both of you and be sure to stay at any of the above accommodations when vacationing in this beautiful region.
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