The Herons - South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, England

The house features an open-plan lounge/kitchen, utility room and downstairs toilet. Upstairs there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. Outside leads to a small gravel garden.

The house is called The Herons because of the herons seen flying overhead to the river.

Riverside wlaks begin within 400 yards of the front door. The South Woodham town centre is within easy walking distance where there is a good selection of Indian, Chinese and other restaurants, a 24 hour Asda superstore, a small range of shops and various leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, gyms, tennis and badminton courts, snooker hall, park with skateboard ramps and a library.

The house is available for flexible lets from one week to several weeks.

• Marsh Farm and Country Park which is an open farm with animals to feed, tractor rides, a soft play area, tea room and excellent gift shop
• Tropical Wings - a butterfly farm under glass, small outdoor pets section with otters and other animals, aviary with parrots and owls, childrens' play area, tea room for lunches and snacks.

The Fenn and River Crouch area are excellent for walks, sailing and feeding the swans.

Other places for leisure and entertainment in Essex

• Creepycrawlies is a soft-play centre for small children locally - somewhere for tiny tots to be amused/.
• The largest antiques centre in Essex is in Battlesbridge, just 4 miles away. Browse for treasures to your heart's content.
• The very popular RHS Hyde Hall Gardens, Rettendon, Chelmsford, are a 5 minute drive away and offer 24 acres of gardens (best in spring), a rope walk of climbing and pillar roses, pond, bird feeding area, tea shop and shop selling plants and excellent range of bird food.
• If you have children then a visit to Madison Heights in Maldon is highly recommended. 20 minutes drive away, Madison Heights incorporates an enormous play centre, snooker halls, 10 pin bowling and cafe. The historic town of Maldon is a fascinating place to visit, especially Hythe Quay with old Thames barges moored alongside. Morris dancers often perform there during the summer months.
• The seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea is 30 minutes drive away. Enjoy the beach, pier, fun-fair, superb fish and chips, casino and theatre at Westcliff. It's also possible to get there by train, change at Wickford.
• Watch Essex play cricket in Chelmsford, 11 mikes away. Hyde Hall in Chelmsford - a restored stately home and park is also worth a visit.

Good places for a walk within a 15 minute drive are:

Hanningfield Reservoir for woodand walks, hissing geese, ducks and swans to feed, bird hides and a fishing lodge. Have lunch overlooking the lake. Day permits are available for fishing. Danbury Common and Danbury Lakes offer pleasant walks. A visit to Blake's Wood in Danbury is a must in early May when the bluebells are at their most beautiful.

Nearest Train Station or Airport: South Woodham Ferrers is a branch line via Wickford on the main London Liverpool Street toSouthend line. Stansted Airport 50 minutes.

Recommended Places to Visit:

• If you have children, Colchester Zoo is highly recommended, especially for Halloween and Christmas Santa weekends.
• Visit Leigh-on-Sea for fresh sea food in the local pubs and restaurants. Walk the path to Southend.
• The sprawling Lakeside shopping centre and retail parks as a treat for the girls. Bluewater with its designer shops is a touch further over the Queen Elizabeth II bridge.
• Spend a day in Constable Country in north Essex, see Flatford Mill and the lovely villages of Dedham and East Bergholt.

Annual Events: Chelmsfor Spectacular at the end of August with music and fireworks in Hylands Park. Chelmsford V music festival attracts crowds every year. Victorian evenings approaching Christmas in Maldon.

Recommended Places to Eat Out: Few towns are as blessed as South Woodham Ferrers for restaurants and places to eat out. Select from Indian, Chinese, Turkish, traditonal British, a carvery, fish and chips - you'll be spoilt for choice.

Local Sports: Walking on the Fenn, local leisure centre with swimming pool, gym, snooker hall, skateboarding in park, sailing on river.

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