Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-james-what-s-your-essex-background">James; what&#8217;s your Essex background?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-8-1000x667.jpg" alt="Man About Country" class="wp-image-24105" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-8.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I was born in Chelmsford and grew up in Kelvedon, as my parents grew up in Braintree and Cressing. Dad&#8217;s family moved from London in the Sixties, while mum’s have been farmers here for hundreds of years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-was-life-like-growing-up">What was life like growing up?</h2>



<p>As a kid I’d play after school in the fields by the River Blackwater, which sadly nobody really does anymore. As a teenager my adventures expanded to Colchester to loiter in the centre and Castle Park. My family and I also loved walking the dog in Dedham and Goldhanger, heading to Clacton for the amusements and crabbing in Brightlingsea. I loved it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-move-away">Why move away?</h2>



<p>At first it was to study Classics at uni in Swansea. I’d never been to Wales so it was a proper Gavin &amp; Stacey moment! I then lived in London, Cornwall, and even a camper van for a year. I now live in Bristol, halfway between urban London and wild Cornwall. It&#8217;s the best city in Britain – apart from those in Essex, of course.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-become-man-about-country">How did you become Man About Country?</h2>



<p>I grew up surrounded by beautiful Essex landscapes, then South Wales&#8217; mountains and coves; but forgot that when pursuing a corporate career. When I moved to Cornwall I rediscovered my love of nature, then being isolated over lockdown showed me how important it is to have access to nature for your mental health. There’s so much beauty and culture within a walk, drive or train ride from our doorsteps, and I wanted to share it with the rest of the country. I started showing the places I loved on social media, then took people on hikes to see it for themselves. You may think you need to hop on a plane for adventure, but I’m here to prove you wrong.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-walked-400km-to-discover-essex-s-best-places-why">You walked 400km to discover Essex&#8217;s best places. Why?</h2>



<p>Because it was only when I moved away that I encountered that many people truly believe the Essex stereotype. I heard it relentlessly in every corner of the land; even as far away as the US and Australia. The media spin Essex as a dumb, grey place – and that’s a load of crap. I wanted to walk around Essex to prove how many sides there are to the county by promoting our stories, villages, towns and cities, so we can remind ourselves to be proud of Essex – and to encourage people to explore it more.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-those-that-still-believe-the-stereotype">What about those that still believe the stereotype?</h2>



<p>Stereotypes exist in every county, but Essex has been unfairly tarnished. In fact, we represent a part of the nation that&#8217;s loud, proud and unashamed to be exactly who we want to be. No wonder the rest of our country and the world is fascinated by Essex on TV. There&#8217;s now tours to Brentwood and the Sugar Hut, but why not stay longer to visit the beaches, Constable Country or wild salt marshes? Essex is a matter of pride, not shame.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-back-to-your-man-about-country-walk-what-s-been-the-best-part-so-far">Back to your Man About Country walk. What&#8217;s been the best part so far?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/2-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="Man About Town James Lawrence Essex tour" class="wp-image-24106" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/2-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/2-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/2-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/2-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The hospitality. I was put up in an Airnnb in Great Dunmow, a hotel in West Mersea, a flat in Frinton, a house in Canvey and even a pub garden in Fobbing. Everywhere I&#8217;ve walked I&#8217;ve met warm, generous people full of stories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-the-worst">And the worst?</h2>



<p>On day three I got food poisoning – possibly from accidentally awaking a witch’s curse in Great Leighs (long story). It made the next few days of walking very difficult, as I was quite ill and couldn’t hold much food down. That&#8217;s not ideal for a long distance hike.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-did-you-find-out-about-essex-you-never-knew">What did you find out about Essex you never knew<strong>?</strong></h2>



<p>That we have our very own rainforest with over 2,000 species of invertebrates! That&#8217;s the highest diversity anywhere in England! Where? In Canvey Island&#8217;s Wick Nature Reserve. It was meant to be an oil refinery until the company went bust, leaving a huge industrial site to be rewilded. Now there&#8217;s species thriving thought to have gone extinct. Plants and trees are bursting through the tarmac which sums up Canvey well. It&#8217;s a place unfairly written off by many but with amazing treasures for those that scratch the surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-your-man-about-country-story-walk-tour-about">What&#8217;s your Man About Country Story Walk tour about?</h2>



<p>My 400km walk was to gather stories; now I’m on my Man About Country tour with another five walks in Essex to share the route I originally walked. The idea is to tell people stories from their area, in the landscapes where they took place. It&#8217;s also to remind everyone how rich Essex is in cultural and natural wealth. It&#8217;s much better to know who we are from stories in our local communities, rather than what the news and social media decide they want to share. It’s a great chance to see the county with fresh eyes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-you-looking-forward-to">What are you looking forward to?</h2>



<p>I can’t wait to show it’s perfectly possible to go on an Essex adventure, whether through forest, field or coast. The walks are set in totally different landscapes, which also show how many different places we have at our fingertips. We’ll discover not only stories but also species of plants, trees, birds and more.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-walks-are-free-how">The walks are free. How?</h2>



<p>I’m being generously supported by the 2025 Essex County Council Art &amp; Cultural Fund. It&#8217;s made it possible to offer the walks at no cost, with optional donations. It’s great to remove barriers to explore Essex, so I’m grateful to the Council for the support to make this happen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-hear-there-s-a-book-and-short-film-on-its-way">We hear there&#8217;s a book and short film on its way.</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a film of my adventure released in September, produced by fellow Essex boy Tom Winward. I’m also writing a book that&#8217;s out at the end of the year, making it easy for people to follow in my footsteps. I’m even busy submitting people’s stories to the Essex Sound and Video Archive to preserve the voices of Essex residents for future generations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-on-to-the-essex-places-you-love-where-do-you-go-to-eat">Moving on to the Essex places you love. Where do you go to eat?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-9-1000x667.jpg" alt="Osborn Bros Old Leigh " class="wp-image-24107" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-9-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-9-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-9.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Osborne&#8217;s, Leigh-on-Sea</figcaption></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Osteria-del-Mare-61576768760716/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osteria Del Mare</a>, an Italian restaurant that recently opened in Frinton. I had a terrific meal there and the atmosphere&#8217;s great, too. Then there’s <a href="https://www.osbornebros.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osborne&#8217;s</a> in Old Leigh. Sitting by the Thames with a pint of cockles in one hand and a cold beverage in the other&#8217;s an underrated pleasure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-pubs-you-love">Any pubs you love?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/491961835_1360682699391765_4685479586443384260_n-1000x750.jpg" alt="The Alma Inn &amp; Dining Rooms Harwich" class="wp-image-24113" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/491961835_1360682699391765_4685479586443384260_n-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/491961835_1360682699391765_4685479586443384260_n-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/491961835_1360682699391765_4685479586443384260_n-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/491961835_1360682699391765_4685479586443384260_n-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/491961835_1360682699391765_4685479586443384260_n.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Alma Inn &amp; Dining Rooms</figcaption></figure>



<p>Goldhanger&#8217;s <a href="https://www.thechequersgoldhanger.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Chequers Inn</a>, <a href="https://thesquareandcompasses.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Square &amp; Compasses</a> in Fuller Street, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=Marlborough+in+Dedham&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Marlborough</a> in Dedham and <a href="https://www.almaharwich.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Alma Inn &amp; Dining Rooms</a> in Harwich. They&#8217;re all amazing pubs in historic buildings, tucked away in hidden parts of Essex. You can go for a walk in any of these areas then finish your day with good food and drink. The Square &amp; Compasses even has a magic map of the ley lines in Essex – if you can find it!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-head-to-the-shops-where-do-you-go">You head to the shops. Where do you go?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-4-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hill St Saffron Walden" class="wp-image-24109" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-4.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hill St.</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s community-run shops managed by the village in Wrabness and Bradwell that sell groceries and gifts. Both are set in some of Essex’s most stunning locations. For Bradwell it’s the 1,400 year old chapel of <a href="https://www.bradwellchapel.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St-Peter-on-the-Wall</a>, and for Wrabness it’s <a href="https://www.living-architecture.co.uk/the-houses/a-house-for-essex/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A House for Essex</a>. I also have to commend <a href="https://www.hill.st" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hill St. chocolatiers</a> in Saffron Walden, who&#8217;ve delivered many a Mother’s Day present over the years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-essex-walks-what-one-stands-out">Essex walks: what one stands out?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/5-3-1000x667.jpg" alt="Tendring Peninsula " class="wp-image-24110" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/5-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/5-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/5-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/5-3.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Tendring Peninsula, with the creeks of Hamford Water, the beaches of the Stour Estuary, and the sands of the Sunshine Coast. I also love Coggeshall and Burnham-on-Crouch to explore, both of which have a really vibrant feel. They&#8217;re the kind of place you can easily mooch around all afternoon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-culture">What about culture?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/6-2-1000x667.jpg" alt=" Cressing Temple Barns" class="wp-image-24111" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/6-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/6-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/6-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/6-2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="http://www.greenstedchurch.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Andrew&#8217;s Church Greensted</a> Church is said to be the oldest log church in the world. Excavations taken in the Sixties revealed two earlier structures dating from the sixth and seventh centuries. That&#8217;s around the time St. Cedd began his work of converting the Saxons to Christianity! <a href="https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/cressing-temple-barns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cressing Temple Barns</a> has over 3,000 years of history and is an easy day out for all, plus it has a Tiptree tea room attached. <a href="https://maelduneheritagecentre.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Maeldune Heritage Centre</a> has an amazing collection of artefacts, including an embroidery of the events of Maldon since the battle in 991AD. Colchester&#8217;s <a href="https://www.eastanglianfolklorecentre.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The East Anglian Folklore Centre</a> is another must. There&#8217;s books, folklore and nik-naks to make you totally rethink your Essex roots.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anywhere-else-in-essex-to-shout-out-about">Anywhere else in Essex to shout out about?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/7-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="Tiptree jam " class="wp-image-24112" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/7-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/7-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/7-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/7-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s got to be the businesses that put us on the map. Mersea seafood. Tiptree jam. Maldon salt. Rum from Great Yeldham and wine from all over. Essex has it all. The food, award-winning cuisine, nature, culture and the people. What better way is there to appreciate the county?</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-6-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Man About Country " class="wp-image-24116" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-6.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><em>James Lawrence&#8217;s Man About Country The Essex Ways tour continues at Cressing Temple Barns (<strong>9 Aug</strong>), Jaywick Sands (<strong>10 Aug</strong>), Hockley Woods (<strong>12 Aug)</strong>, Cudmore Grove (<strong>13 Aug</strong>) and Gernon Bushes (<strong>14 Aug</strong>). To book your free walk <a href="https://www.manaboutcountry.co.uk/essexwaystour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a>.</em></p>



<p>Caught the walking bug after catching up with James on his <a href="https://www.manaboutcountry.co.uk/essexwaystour" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Man About Country</a> tour? Enjoy these <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/best-waterside-walks-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waterside walks</a>, then tie it in with an Essex <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/best-pub-gardens-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pub with beer gardens</a> or <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/best-cosy-essex-gastro-pubs-log-fires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">log fires</a>, depending on when you choose to go.</p>


My favourite Essex places: Man About Country’s James Lawrence

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