Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paper-mill-island-lodge-little-baddow"><a href="https://papermillisland.co.uk/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paper Mill Island Lodge</a>, Little Baddow</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1498" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Paper-Mill-lodge.jpg" alt="Paper Mill island Lodge" class="wp-image-25617" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Paper-Mill-lodge.jpg 1498w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Paper-Mill-lodge-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Paper-Mill-lodge-1000x668.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Paper-Mill-lodge-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1498px) 100vw, 1498px" /></figure>



<p>Hands up who fancies a half-term chill-out in a stylish lodge with its own private river access? (Yep, us too). Tucked away in Little Baddow, Paper Mill Island Lodge is a dreamy escape for up to four. Boasting a large double bedroom with ensuite, an open plan kitchen and living space (with sofa bed) and double doors opening onto a private deck that looks right over the river. Bonus: the pooch can come along for the ride. Nestled on the banks of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, Island Lodge on Paper Mill Island is the perfect spot for enjoying water sports on the river, launch your canoe or kayak directly onto the river with your own private mooring. It’s also an excellent base for walkers and cyclists as it’s a halfway point on&nbsp;the towpath that follows the river for 14 miles from its beginning in Chelmsford, to the sea at Heybridge Basin and Maldon. Nearby is Danbury Common and Blakes Wood as well as Danbury Woods. The valley hills also make it popular for cyclists as the Ride London passes through Paper Mill Lock. There are only a couple of dates left for Oct half term, BOOK NOW! Prices from £277 for two nights over Oct half term.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feather-down-layer-marney-tower"><a href="https://www.featherdown.co.uk/england/essex/layer-marney-tower?countries=57,58,59,59,57,58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Feather Down</a>, Layer Marney Tower</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="764" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Feather-Down.jpg" alt="Feather Down" class="wp-image-25618" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Feather-Down.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Feather-Down-800x407.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Feather-Down-1000x509.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Feather-Down-768x391.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Need to get away from it all and slow down? No screens. No WIFI. No electricity even! Sound like glamping bliss? Feather Down can give you that escape, as well as the chance to connect with nature – each canvas hideaway is nestled amongst the trees, alongside the countryside’s inhabitants (woodpeckers, pheasants, muntjac deer and owls). Meet the grazing animals during feeding time on the farm (it’s a bright and breezy 8am start), visit Layer Marney Tower, fly your kites, or climb the farm’s spider web frame. Further afield visit Abberton Reservoir just 10 minutes away, or Blackwater Estuary National Nature Reserve (bring your binoculars), or enjoy some oysters on Mersea Island. Colchester Zoo is also not far! And when you’re done, toast some marshmallows around the fire –&nbsp;or jump in the hot tub (some of the tents have them as a bookable extra). There only a selection of tents available still for Oct half term, so get in there quick –&nbsp;prices start at £595 for four nights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-duck-duck-goose-little-bentley"><a href="http://duckduckgoosecoffee.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duck Duck Goose</a>, Little Bentley</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="765" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Duck-Duck-Goose-copy.jpg" alt="Duck Duck Goose" class="wp-image-25619" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Duck-Duck-Goose-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Duck-Duck-Goose-copy-800x408.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Duck-Duck-Goose-copy-1000x510.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Duck-Duck-Goose-copy-768x392.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you’re familiar with the name Duck Duck Goose, then you might remember when this location was a popular coffee shop. Sadly the café closed, but the good news is the barn has now been converted into a cosy, two-bedroom family-friendly bolthole. Located in just the right place to enjoy the picturesque Stour valley, and let the kids run free and create their own countryside adventures. The barn is set up to sleep four, but extra beds or a cot can be provided to sleep six. Coffee lovers rejoice as the building’s legacy remains –&nbsp;the coffee machine is still there along with locally roasted beans! Cosy nights are easy – there’s a log burner and squishy sofas, as well as a projector for movie nights. And for little kids, the play area still remains so they can enjoy the wooden teepee, homemade superhero cloaks and wooden toy shop and kitchen. Price start at £491.15 for a two night stay over Oct half term.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wakes-hall-lodges-wakes-colne"><a href="https://wakeslodges.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wakes Hall Lodges</a>, Wakes Colne</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Wakes-Hall-lodges.jpg" alt="Wakes Hall Lodges" class="wp-image-25620" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Wakes-Hall-lodges.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Wakes-Hall-lodges-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Wakes-Hall-lodges-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/Wakes-Hall-lodges-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy relaxing (as much as you can with kids) in the Essex countryside in a choice of luxury lodges or Grade II listed cottage? Say hello to Wakes Hall Lodges or Crows Hall. Surrounded by a 500 acre estate, the one and two-bed lodges boast hot tubs, open-plan living areas and outdoor dining spaces, perfect for a peaceful coffee while those offspring of yours bicker over anything and everything. Or choose to stay in Crows Hall, complete with private garden and hot tub. A former farm workers’ cottage dating to 1839, it’s been sympathetically refurbished to retain its character and has a kitchen/diner, two sitting rooms and downstairs cloakroom, as well as two bedrooms with en suite facilities. Price start from £772 for a three night stay during Oct half term.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cricketers-clavering-near-saffron-walden"><a href="https://www.thecricketers.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cricketers Clavering</a>, near Saffron Walden</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="980" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/The-Cricketers-copy.jpg" alt="The Cricketers Clavering" class="wp-image-25621" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/The-Cricketers-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/The-Cricketers-copy-800x523.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/The-Cricketers-copy-1000x653.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/09/The-Cricketers-copy-768x502.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>This is a nice escape for those with older kids, or if you’re flying solo with one child (the rooms only sleep two). Or even lovelier if you’re in need of a child-free break after half term! The rooms have all been recently refurbished, and each is unique in style. Book with them directly and breakfast is included – one of the biggest selling points for The Cricketers is the menus so be sure to book for dinner too. The surrounding area has plenty to do – if you’re partial to a stroll around a village green, this one’s definitely for you –&nbsp;Clavering has seven of them! The village itself is full of charm with its thatched cottages and wonky timber framed houses, and Saffron Walden is a stone’s throw away, home to loads of independent cafés, restaurants, interiors shops and clothing boutiques. Prices start at £91.20 per night during Oct half term.</p>


Book now: Half term escapes in Essex’s prettiest places

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