Given Essex’s long and varied history, it is no surprise that there are many, great cultural sites in the county today! Here, we will go through some of the best cultural days out across Essex for your relatives to enjoy; including properties run by the National Trust, the fascinating Colchester Castle and Silver Screen cinema showings, run for older people.
If you are looking for more day out ideas with your elderly relatives, you may be interested in our guide to the Best Accessible Days Out in Essex.
The Best National Trust Properties in Essex to Visit With Elderly Relatives
The National Trust own a range of interesting properties across Essex that make for a great days out with your older relatives. You can read more about the perks of National Trust Membership in our article on the Best Discounts in Essex.
Bourne Mill
Bourne Mill is a Grade 1 listed building, one mile south of Colchester with an interesting and varied history. It was originally built to be a fishing lodge in the late 16th century, before being converted into a fulling mill around 1640 and later becoming a corn mill until the 1930s. The waterwheel still works to this day!
Bourne Mill sits next to a millpond and babbling stream, making it a calm and picturesque setting. The grounds also boast a pond and a variety of wildlife, including birds, bats and beetles for those up for a stroll.
In terms of accessibility, there is a slope up to the building, and steps that need to be navigated into the lower floor and upper floor, meaning the full property is not accessible for wheelchairs. You can view Bourne Mill’s full access statement here.
- Telephone: 01206 549799
- Visit Website
Grange Barn
Grange Barn is one of Europe’s oldest timber-framed buildings, with oak pillars that soar up to a roof reminiscent of a church. Originally built in the 13th century as a means to preserve Coggleshall Abbey, it was saved and restored in the 1980s.
Visitors to Grange Barn will find impressive and fascinating collections of farm wagons and woodworking tools, as well as detailed information about the Barn’s history.
In regards to accessibility, the building has a level entrance and the ground floor is fully accessible. See Grange Barn’s full access statement here.
- Telephone: 01376 562226
- Visit Website
Eastbury Manor House
Originally completed in the late 1500s, Eastbury Manor House was a brick-built, Tudor gentry house and has not been altered much since. Early 17th-century wall-paintings depict local fishermen and an impressive image of the city’s horizon resides in the Great Chamber. It now hosts a large, permanent exhibition which details the history of the manor house and its owners and residents through the centuries.
The grounds are fully accessible, though there are some gravel paths. There is a ramped entrance to the building and a lift available to access the other floors, with the exception of the top floor of the turret which is accessed solely by stairs.
- Telephone: 02082 272942
- Visit Website
Best Castles in Essex
Colchester Castle
Colchester Castle’s keep is largely intact and is the largest example of its type in the world; thanks to being built on the foundations of a Roman temple. The Castle offers fascinating, interactive displays and exhibitions, with a particular focus on the its history and treasure from which we can learn about Roman Essex.
Their expert guides can provide you and your relative with tours, including up on to the roof of the castle, or down in to the Roman vaults, if your relative is able to manage using some stairs!
- Telephone: 01206 282939
- Visit Website
Silver Screenings in Essex
Silver Screenings are cinema showings run just for older people. They can have a reduced cost, an intermission and will often provide tea and biscuits at a reduced cost.
These showings make for a fun and cheap trip out for older people, to enjoy the latest releases in cinemas, or classic films to reminisce over.
Odeon Silver Cinema
Odeon offer a Silver Screen scheme at their cinemas across Essex. As part of this scheme people aged 60+ can enjoy a trip to the cinema from just £3.50 with tea, coffee and biscuits served before the film. In Essex, there are ODEON branches in Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend.
