Hylands Estate in Chelmsford is a Grade II* listed public park with a mammoth 574 acres of grounds and woodland. Check out the Victorian Pleasure Gardens, with pond home to fish, ducks and geese. There’s also the One World Garden, designed as a children’s garden and opened by Prince William and the Duke of York. Head to The Serpentine lake – designed to look like a river – or go on one of five mapped walks, ranging from a 30 minute stroll to four mile hike.

Then there’s Hylands House itself. Built as a Queen Anne style home in 1730, it’s housed many families over the years, and was a hospital during WWI. This neo-classical villa is open to the public on select days so you can explore at your leisure, and there are also estate carriage tours to enjoy. The Stables courtyard and studios lets you meet resident artists as they create bespoke pieces. There’s also a second-hand bookshop, then head to the café, now open courtesy of local delicatessen and tearoom, The Deli.

Event-wise, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do at Hylands Estate in Chelmsford. From flower shows and food festivals, to outdoor cinema nights and music festivals, there’s plenty for all. Kids are also well catered for, with an award-winning children’s Adventure Playground. It’s got four-meter-high castle battlements, plus portcullis and drawbridge entrance!

You can also host celebrations at Hylands Estate, including your own wedding! There’s a choice of spaces to marry in, including the Banqueting Room and its 24 carat gold leaf decorations. The Drawing Room has a gilded ceiling and stunning marble fireplace, and there’s also The Grand Pavilion with its chandeliers and ivory drapes. Then there’s the new outdoor wedding ceremony garden, giving couples the chance to wed under the tree canopy of the estate’s woodland.