A highly recommended off-the-beaten-track day out with morning coffee and lunch together as a group. We disprove the notion that Essex is a flat county and spend an afternoon in lovely Saffron Walden.

Your Guide will join us on the M11 and you’ll continue together on to Elmdon for a welcome cup of coffee and a couple of biscuits. Then we’re off for an enjoyable drive through the “Essex Highlands” which will go a long way to dispel the notion of Essex as a flat county. In fact we slip in and out of three counties during our circular tour and from high in the coach you’ll get lovely views and there are interesting stories to create a thoroughly entertaining morning. At Arkesden “the gem of the Essex Highlands” we’ll stop for a little stroll and a peek at the village church.

Then it’s back to Elmdon for lunch. It really is a super pub and a victory for the local community who campaigned to save their village pub. Parts of the original tap room date to 1450 and the new restaurant with its vaulted green oak construction and oak floor fits in beautifully.

After lunch we’ll drive past stately Audley End House and into Saffron Walden. This ancient town takes its name from the saffron crocus once cultivated in the surrounding fields. Few towns have retained their mediaeval street plan so well. You can opt to join the Guide for a short town trail or browse on your own. It is your day out – you can decide on the day.

 

Price includes: travel by coach, driver’s gratuity, guided tour. Morning tea and lunch are included. 

The coach leaves Virgin Active at 8.15am and leaves Essex at 4.45pm.

 

£48