Food and Drink Specialities in Essex...

Essex is a great place for trying seafood. Start in Colchester, whose oysters have been farmed since Roman times. Known as ´English Natives´ - Mersea Island is the centre of the industry. Each October, the town holds a private oyster festival. Maldon is the only place in the country where sea water is used to make crystalline salt (recommended by Delia Smith). Further south is the fishing village of Leigh-on-Sea where you can try cockles and jellied eels.

The county is also noted for its fruit-growing used to make delicious jams. Visit the museum and tearoom at Wilkin and Sons in Tiptree, where the first jams were made in 1885. Wash it all down at Hartford End, Limo Hire - Home of Ridley´s Brewery, a family-run brewer producing cask ales and bottled beers.