Get into Nature
We’re idyllically situated within the Dedham Vale Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) and Stour Valley, and there are so many beautiful sights to see! Get out into nature and explore the gorgeous gardens, pretty parks, and expansive nature reserves in the local area.
Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale (10-minute drive)
One of the local area’s best hidden spots, Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale is an ancient woodland which is full of beautiful trees, flowers, wildlife and more. The wood is especially stunning in the spring and summer time where you will be greeted with a spectacular display of bluebells accompanied by the magical song of birds. It makes the perfect place to enjoy a picnic, surrounded by the most tranquil scenery.
Flatford Wildlife Garden Nature Reserve (23-minute drive)
A family-friendly wildlife garden set in the picturesque village of Flatford near to Flatford Mill – the inspiration behind John Constable’s famous landscape masterpiece, The Hay Wain. The garden features many carved wooden creatures and is a haven for wildlife, where you will see a wide selection of birds, insects, and butterflies. You’ll leave with plenty of ideas to take home to your own garden!
Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens, Elmstead (30-minute drive)
From its beginnings as an overgrown wasteland attached to the Chatto fruit farm, the Beth Chatto Gardens has become an inspirational garden and plant nursery which houses a number of unusual plants. Located approximately 30 minutes from Apple Tree Lodges on the outskirts of Colchester, the Gardens are an interesting insight into the development of horticulture.
Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds (42-minute drive)
Abbey Gardens, in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, is the perfect spot for enjoying some peace and quiet whilst watching the world go by. The fifth most visited free attraction in England, the 14-acre park is on the site of a former Benedictine Abbey, once a powerhouse of medieval England. The site is perfectly maintained and has a range of great facilities to keep the whole family entertained, including ancient monument ruins, an aviary, a refreshment kiosk, a shop, tennis courts, a sensory garden, a section of the river Lark and a play area.
Helmingham Hall Gardens (42-minute drive)
Set in a 400-year-old ancient deer park, Helmingham Hall is an impressive Tudor moated Hall surrounded by Grade 1 Listed Gardens. The Tollemache family, whose ancestors have lived at Helmingham Hall for the past 500 years, enjoy sharing their passion for the gardens. Why not stop by the Coach House Tea Rooms for a light lunch or the Cool Beans Ice Cream Parlour and Coffee Shop for a sweet treat.
Abberton Reservoir (34-minute drive)
Abberton Reservoir is one of Europe’s top wetland sites and a safe haven for wild water birds, with up to 40,000 ducks, swans and geese visiting each year. Visitors can enjoy walks on the nature reserve, whilst taking in stunning panoramic views from the three accessible hides. The Brambly Hedge Wooden Sculpture Trail is a great activity for families, where your little ones can test their map reading skills to discover the characters of popular children’s story books.
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park (33-minute drive)
Fingringhoe Wick is one of the finest nature reserves in the county. It’s idyllically set overlooking the Colne Estuary, making it the perfect place to relax and escape from it all. The reserve features a wonderful mosaic of different habitats spread across 200 acres of land, including grassland, gorse heathland, reedbeds, ponds, meadows and scrub. It’s also an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) hosting up to 200 species of birds, 27 species of dragonflies, 24 species of butterfly, as well as adders, badgers and many other animals.