Architecture through the ages

With over 14,000 listed buildings to its name, Essex is unusually well supplied with interesting architecture in all shapes and sizes, from stately homes, to castles and priories, to towers and mills - the county is an archtiect lovers dream.

Many of its most notable buildings are of military importance; mighty fortresses like the Jaywick Martello Tower, Colchester Castle and Hedingham Castle, are testaments to foreign power in a conquered country, and coastal forts at Tilbury and Harwich, built to repel invasion.

Others are more purely decorative: the Jacobean splendour of Audley End, 16th century Ingatestone Hall and Layer Marney, whose magnificent Tudor gatehouse was built to outshine Hampton Court.

Lovers of architecture will find some stunning examples of the different eras, from the stately splendour of historic houses like Audley End House and Gardens to art deco in Frinton-on-Sea.

Hylands Estate, in Chelmsford, is a prestigious grade II listed public park encompassing 574 acres of historic parkland. Hylands House, a beautifully renovated Neo-Classical elegant villa, features formal Victorian Gardens and ancient woodlands within the park.

More recently, Turner prize winner and famed Essex artist, Grayson Perry, designed the unique ‘House for Julie’ in Wrabness overlooking the River Stour. The stunning ‘gingerbread’ style house, sits in the middle of a field with fabulous views over the unspoilt countryside and Wrabness beach.