Areas of Interest in Braintree

Areas of interest in Braintree

Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens

Sidney Courtauld donated the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens to the people of Braintree in 1888. The gardens, which once belonged to his house, have many features including a war memorial, a bandstand, two tennis courts, a large wildlife area (which is home to many birds and squirrels) a large pond and a play area for the under 12’s. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon out with features that will suit the whole family.

Braintree District Museum

Award winning museum based in the converted Manor Street school given by the Courtauld family. Displays from Critall steel windows to Warners royal silks, Castle Hedingham pottery to Edward Bawden prints.

Braintree Swimming Centre

Get down to Braintree’s new £7.5 million premier swimming complex operated by the Braintree District Leisure Community Association Ltd. This superb facility is offered to the residents of the Braintree District, neighbouring districts and their visitors.

Located at the Freeport Braintree outlet village this facility is a joint project between Braintree District Council and Hermes the owners of
Freeport. The facilities are available for all ages and abilities. Everyone is welcome.

Great Notley Country Park and the Flitch Way

Great Notley Country Park and the Flitch Way covers an area of 100 acres with views across open farmland to the west and a link to over 15 miles of walking and cycling paths along the Flitch Way. The site offers many facilities including a sensory trail, endless play equipment, cycle hire centre, fishing, visitor centre and bistro, sports and educational facilities, plus an extensive events programme.

Halstead Public Gardens

Halstead Public Gardens, opened in 1901, were restored in 2001 thanks to a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The park is much valued locally, particularly as it lies on one of the main streets and near to the centre of the town. The Gardens have many special features including a brick and timber bandstand, three oak-framed shelters, a spacious Dancing Green surrounded by ornamental lights, clinker rockeries, and historic drinking fountain.

Colne Valley Postal History Museum

The Colne Valley Postal History Museum located in Halstead is one of very few dedicated museums that study the development of the British postal system. The massive network that can now deliver a letter anywhere in the country the next day has not always been as sophisticated as it is now. The museum looks into the way that the system has changed throughout the years and has some interesting artefacts on show.

The Town Council manages four areas of open space in and around the town. The largest areas are those of the River Walk, a linear park that meanders alond the site of the River Brain and the town's nature reserve known as Whetmead.

Witham River Walk

The expansion of Witham over the last 40 years from village to market town, of necessity encroached on much of the neighbouring countryside. Whilst this development could have been to the detriment of the local wild life the farsighted decision was made to create a River Walk. The walk, which extends about three miles through the town, is a mix of formal recreational areas and untended natural areas, the latter providing habitats for a wide variety of animals and birds.

Witham International Puppet Festival

Every September Witham hosts the increasingly popular International Puppet Festival. Organised by Witham Town Council, the one day Festival is held on a Saturday. The Town Centre is the stage for numerous acts ranging from the traditional Punch and Judy to hi-tech Robots! In the past Witham has hosted a huge farmyard pig with windows in its tummy to view a play, a four poster bed to lay on to enjoy a surreal experience that involved a contortionist climbing through a picture and long necked aliens!

Freeport Outlet Shopping Village

Visit. Shop it. You'll love it!

Up to 60% off rrp every day...

Freeport has over 85 stores offering up to 60% off rrp everyday, there's a fantastic range of men's, women's and children's fashions, footware, gifts, cosmetics and accessories. With lots of designer names like Karen Millen, Ted Baker and Lacoste, and high street favourites including NEXT Clearance, Marks & Spencer Outlet and Adidas, as well as big names from homewares, you'll be spoilt for choice!

Turn shopping into a great day out...

When it's time to take a break from bargain hunting there's a great selection of places to eat and drink. With Starbucks, Café Thornton, Burger King, Pizza Express, and the Tutti Tuscan Grill, there's something for everyone even if you just want to sit back, relax and watch the world go by.

If you've time after your shopping spree, why not pop across to the adjacent Freeport Leisure Park? You can challenge the family to a game or two of ten-pin bowling or put your feet up and watch a film at the 12-screen cinema.

With all this set in a wonderful, relaxing, peaceful village environment, Freeport Braintree always makes a great day out and when it comes to retail therapy it couldn't be more therapeutic!

Opening times

Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm
Thursday 'til 8pm - LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
Saturday: 10am - 7pm
Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Bank Holidays: 10am - 6pm

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