Of all Britain’s coastal counties, Essex can surely claim to be one of the best. With more than 350 miles of shoreline to choose from, the Essex coast is very much what you make of it, so even on those days when you’re planning a little run out to the seaside and want more than just the beach, Essex has the answer

The Romans knew a good thing when they saw it, and they say Mersea Island as a very good thing. Perhaps that’s why there is so much to celebrate even today on this special island | Words: Petra Hornsby - Photos: Chrissie Westgate and VisitEssex

The beautiful Wivenhoe House has been closed for almost two months, with not a guest in sight

James Merriott continues his watercolour tour of the county with a trip close to home that inspires thoughts of places further afield

Us Brits jump at the chance to grab a blanket and a basket of food and head for somewhere peaceful for an afternoon spent eating, drinking, strolling and exploring. We’ve picked 9 of the best spots in Essex for a walk and a picnic

Jenny Green’s latest adventure with Ernie takes in the chance to help sick and injured animals as well as a trip into the ‘deep, dark wood’

We’ve selected some of our favourite and most popular pieces of content to create this collection of places to visit, things to do and places to eat or drink when lockdown is over and we can all explore Essex how we like

September marks the 100th anniversary of the shooting down of Zeppelin L32 over the skies of Essex – a moment which provided a beacon of hope in a time when it seemed that there was no defence to the German air attacks terrorising Britain.

We’ve put together 15 questions that will push your knowledge of Essex to the limit - let us know how you’ve done on social media!

From Mersea to Maldon and Colchester to Thaxted, we’ve put together this collection of virtual tours that provide you access to Essex’s prettiest places from the convenience of your screen

You’ve got 10 minutes to work out where in Essex Pic’s island, Luca’s estate, Branca’s tree and more refer to… let us know how you do!

Wildlife writer and enthusiast Andrew Fallan shares some of his personal insights and experiences from the wild Essex coast that are often unexplored and all too easily underrated

For most people bluebells are the first sign that spring has arrived and nothing beats a stroll through ancient woods or country parks surrounded by a sea of blue, so here are some of our favourite places to find bluebells in bloom

We’ve given you Wallasea Island in the image above so you get the idea but the other 25 in our emoji quiz are down to you! Feel free to print off the questions and share it with friends and family - let us know how you do!

A visit to the seaside is not quite the same amid the difficulties of a global crisis, but adrift on an epic voyage around the entire coast of Britain, Peter Naldrett records the unique appeal of the Essex coast

James Merriott continues his watercolour tour of the county with a return to the Stour Valley and this treasure trove of stunning landscapes

Step back in time and have fun in the forest that was once the hunting ground of kings and queens | Each month Jenny Green creates a dog-friendly day out in the county following an adventure with Ernie, her delightful Westie

How well do you know East Anglia’s numerous distinctly-named locations? Take the quiz below and let us know how you do!

Throughout 2019 Mica Bale looked into the bizarre, the interesting and the downright fascinating aspects of our county. We’ve collected each of her monthly articles in one place to bring you this definitive collection of facts about Essex

James Merriott continues his watercolour tour of the county with thoughts turning to a very special landmark in his life