Below are some of the local attractions that we recommend:
Upminster Tithe Barn Agricultural and Folk Museum
Address: Hall Lane, Upminster, RM14 1AU
Tel: 07855 633917
A 15thC thatched barn with over 13,500 domestic and agricultural items on show from Roman times to the 1950s.
Mystery Walks
Address: 96 Foxglove Road, Rush Green, Romford, RM7 0HQ
Tel: 020 8526 7755
Email: mysterywalks@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.tourguides.org.uk
Mystery Walks offer guided walking tours of London, which include Jack the Ripper, Haunted London, Halloween Tour, Shakespeare and Dickens London.
Wellgate Community Farm
Address: Collier Row Road, Collier Row, Romford, RM5 2BH
Tel: 01708 747850
Fax: 01708 753574
Email: wellgate.farm@care4free.net
Small 1.5-acre city farm home to ponies, pigs, cows, goats, sheep, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and guinea pigs. Popular with younger children. Small horticultural plot, selling plants and vegetables, and conservation area. New workshop, with disabled access. Various clubs and activities for older children and adults; including spinning, bee-keeping, young farmers, an animal share scheme and a nationally recognised vocational course in Animal Care. Provide for educational visits and children's parties.
Upminster Windmill
Address: St. Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QH
Tel: 01708 226040
Email: bobsharp@ukonline.co.uk
Website: http://www.upminsterwindmill.co.uk
Smock Mill in preserved condition with much of the original equipment including grinding stones. Postcards and small souvenirs for sale. Donations welcome.
The Millennium Centre
Address: The Chase, Dagenham Road, Rush Green, Romford, RM7 0SS
Tel: 020 8595 4155
Fax: 020 8984 9488
Email: martin.page@lbbd.gov.uk
Website: http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk
Visitor and education centre in Eastbrookend Country Park, illustrating the latest sustainable building technology, part-funded by the
Millennium Commission. An exhibition at the centre tells the story of Eastbrookend Country Park and the Millennium Centre. The centre is also a venue for school visits and a wide range of public events and activities. Events programme available from (020) 8595 4155.
Thames Chase Forest Centre
Address: Pike Lane, Cranham, Upminster, RM14 3NS
Tel: 01708 641880
Fax: 01708 640581
Email: enquiries@thameschase.org.uk
Website: http://www.thameschase.org.uk
A visitor centre with interactive exhibition, cafe, and shop set in 140 acres of community woodland, with fully accessible footpaths, cycle and horse rides and picnic areas. Developed since 1991 as a model community forest landscape, meadows, ponds and an orchard of traditional local apple varieties nestle amongst developing woodland. The modern visitor centre is linked to a Grade II listed 17thC barn. Environmental play sculptures to explore plus regular events this is the visitor destination to discover all there is to see and do in Thames Chase Community Forest.
Hazle Ceramics Workshop
Address: Unit 33-35, Barleylands Craft Centre, Barleylands Farm, Barleylands Road, Billericay, CM11 2UD
Tel: 01268 270892
See the making of the award-winning collectable ceramic wall plaques, A Nation of Shopkeepers. From Hazle's original model to the finished product.
Learn how to cast clay into moulds and find out about the nostalgia and history of highstreet shops before they disappear. Watch our skilled painters and have-a-go yourself.
BBC Essex Garden
Address: Ongar Road, Abridge, Romford, RM4 1AA
Tel: 01708 688581
Fax: 01708 688677
This garden with lawns, borders of herbaceous plants and shrubs, and small vegetable area, is linked to Ken's programme Down to Earth on Sat 1200-1400. Also enjoy the farmyard animals, tea shop with home-made food, superbclematis collection with Sheila Chapman and adjoining plant nursery.
Eastbury Manor House
Address: Eastbury Square, Barking, IG11 9SN
Tel: 020 8724 1002
Fax: 020 8724 1003
Email: eastburyhouse@lbbd.gov.uk
Website: http://www.barking-dagenham.gov.uk
Tudor manor house (Grade I Listed building) in the centre of a modern housing estate, dating from the mid 16thC. It is an exceptionally good example of a brick-built manor house of the period and is used as an arts, heritage and community resource.
Rainham Hall
Address: The Broadway, Rainham, RM13 9YN
Tel: 01494 528051
Attractive red brick house, built in 1729, with stone dressing on symmetrical pattern. Exterior - brickwork and iron gates; Interior - trompe l'oeil
paintwork, fine wooden staircase, panelled rooms and Delft tiles.
If you want to search for your own attractions the following websites are useful:
Real Essex
London Attraction Guide