dh really wants to go to Basildon (!) for a short break at Easter. I'm sure there are nicer places to stay in Essex - help!

[edam]

OK, it sounds very odd but dh is determined to take us to see the delights of Basildon and surroundings at Easter - he's started a new job there and wants to show ds where he works. But really wants us to stay in a Travelodge in Basildon itself.

I am not quite so keen. But I am SURE there are pretty places in Essex. Can anyone suggest somewhere nicer to stay where we can stop off at Basildon on the way?

What sort of thing do you want to do? I lived near Basildon for a few years, am now in Colchester. I'd definitely say north essex is better as a tourist destination, Colchester zoo and castle are good, Dedham vale is lovely, the coast is nice (in parts!), Colne valley is also pretty.

I would hesitate to even go to Basildon for lunch - I generally avoided the place even for shopping and went to Lakeside or Bluewater! There really isn't very much there!

Oh Lord, I am ROFL at this. I grew up in Maldon (very nice, worth a visit) and went to school in Chelmsford (tourist destination) and we had to do a project on Basildon. They took us on a coach trip there. In retrospect it was quite interesting because we were learning all about the ideals of new towns. The town was supposed to be divided into neighbourhood centres, each with its own row of shops, but by that time nearly all the shops were derelict and boarded up.

Basically decide if you like boats and water or not - if you do, go to Maldon, Burnham. If not the inland villages to the north like Thaxted or Finchingfield, or the vale of Dedham and Constable country.
Maldon does not actually have sea and there is not even anywhere to paddle since they turned the Marine Lake into a nature reserve but it does have some beautiful old Thames sailing barges to look at.
If you want sea then Frinton, Mersea, Clacton, Walton. Mersea is probably prettiest, Clacton is the most happening (though it's all relative...)

sorry, that should be Chelmford (NOT a tourist destination)!!!

colchester has plenty see and do for all ages as well as places to eat plus is easy reach of the coast and suffolk

olchester though BouncingTurtle.Don't mix up Kelvedon Hatch* with Kelvedon Nr.Colchester.

I grew up around Kelvedon Hatch Nr. Brentwood

Would recommend Dedham and Flatford Mill,and anywhere around there.

Maybe a Hotel here?

Sorry half my text went missing

Meant to say Don't mix up Kelvedon Hatch with Kelvedon,Nr. Colchester. BouncingTurtle.