The beer garden outside the Bakers Arms.

Discover the best things to do in Sewardstone, Essex

Local attractions near the Bakers Arms

Whether it’s a fleeting visit or a longer getaway that brings you to this area of Essex, you’ll be spoiled for choice with things to do in Sewardstone. From beautiful parklands to iconic historical landmarks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and explore.

The best part? All of our favourite attractions are just a short drive from the Bakers Arms. So take a look and you’ll be sure to find something that piques your interest, before joining us for a delicious meal at our charming countryside pub.

Lee Valley Regional Park

Lee Valley Regional Park truly has it all when it comes to outdoor adventure, local history and peaceful escapes in the heart of the countryside. Spanning 10,000 acres and stretching 26 miles from London, through to Essex, and ending in Hertfordshire, this vast park is a haven for exploration.

Offering award-winning sports and leisure facilities, wildlife reserves, heritage sites and scenic gardens, as one of the top things to do in Essex the park promises a visit that’ll be as rewarding as it is memorable.

And if you need a place to recoup afterwards, nothing beats a hearty pub meal and a few refreshing drinks. Luckily, the Bakers Arms is right on the outskirts of the park and one of the very best pubs near Lee Valley Park.

Royal Gunpowder Mills

A place of special scientific interest, the Royal Gunpowder Mills is one of the most popular things to do in Waltham Abbey, with 21 historically significant buildings to take in. Set across 175 acres of parkland, it has a rich legacy dating back to the 17th century, when it played a key role in creating explosives – but we’ll leave that story for the site to tell.

Today, the grounds are open to the public and visitors can explore the meadows, marshes and wildlife in all their glory. There’s even an annual schedule of art workshops and events, if the weather calls for a day indoors.

Whatever you decide to do, this beautiful country park has plenty of attractions to suit all ages, in all conditions.

Waltham Abbey Gardens

Steeped in history and natural beauty, Waltham Abbey Gardens is an award-winning site within the grounds of the old abbey. A nature lover’s dream, the gardens feature diverse wildlife, woodlands, fruit trees and plant specimens, with each season bringing its own charm.

Wander scenic trails to explore centuries of history or simply enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside and retreat to the Rose Garden. Or, if you’re a wildlife enthusiast, visit the Cornmill Meadows Dragonfly Sanctuary – a site of special scientific interest and home to half of Britain's native dragonfly species.

Open from May to September, this is easily one of the best things to do in Waltham Abbey.

Epping Forest District Museum

This hidden gem brings the story of the Epping Forest District to life through its collection of over 50,000 objects, including art, photos, documents and archaeology. With six galleries of changing exhibitions, to multiple annual events and activities, Epping Forest District Museum will keep you entertained for hours – and it’s free to enter too.

The onsite shop also has a great selection of gifts and souvenirs, perfect for a keepsake in memory of the day. And whatever you do, don’t forget to admire the building’s stunning Tudor architecture by taking a fresh air stroll in the museum’s beautiful garden. As far as things to do in Sewardstone go, it should be top of your list.

Wildlife Discovery Centre

Overlooking Seventy Acres Lake, this centre offers a breathtaking 360-degree view of River Lee Country Park from a five-metre-high viewing tower. You’ll be able to learn about the history of the valley, explore the habitats, and discover the many bird species that call the park home.

There are plenty of activities to keep you engaged, from spotting wildlife amongst the reeds to looking in the park’s wildlife drawers to see the fascinating finds. Live camera feeds also bring you up close and personal to the park’s wildlife, offering a rare glimpse of their daily lives.

The Wildlife Discovery Centre is open daily, so be sure to add this to the top of your list of things to do in Essex.

A mobile sized illustration advertising local attractions near to The Blue Cap.

Go for par at Sandiway Golf Club

Formed in 1920 and just across the road from the Blue Cap, the esteemed Sandiway Golf Club is home to generous, tree-lined freeways with sandy subsoil, making the course an excellent golfing location all year round. Spot the oak, beech and birchwood trees, dotted with birds and insects, and as you play through the back nine, take some time to enjoy the ravishing backdrop of Pettypool — best viewed on the 11th and 12th holes.

The club holds an extensive history, from its original layout by Ted Ray, the first UK & Ireland Ryder Cup Captain, to part of the course being lost in the Second World War as the fairways were ploughed for food production. In the 1950s, some holes were lost or abandoned due to enforcement by the completion of the Northwich bypass, which you may drive on today as you make your way to the Blue Cap! Today, the club is often chosen to host international, national, regional and local championships and is held in high regard as a traditional private members’ club.

If your golfing skills are a little rusty, you can check out the course before you arrive on the Course Flyover page. Booking is advised at this esteemed golf club.

Sprinkle some time in Northwich into your day

Northwich is famous for its salt industry, which is, in fact, the reason the town has such few ancient buildings. The constant pumping of brine from beneath the district and the collapse of old salt mines has weakened the landscape around, sadly causing subsidence of the town, but this has been arrested in recent times with the introduction of controlled pumping.

Take a stroll through the old market town, pop into a few independent shops on your way past and, if you’ve timed your trip well, visit the monthly Artisan Market, full of unique treasures and handmade goods. The town is vibrant and welcoming, sitting prettily on the confluence of the River Dane and the Weaver Navigation, and has a distinctive look with its black and white timber-framed buildings.

Northwich lies at the end of the Heritage Cycle Trail route from Anderton Boat Lift and is home to the Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, where the history of West Cheshire comes to life through film, reconstruction, models, displays and artefacts. It’s a truly lovely day out for any family, made even better with a visit to a pub near Northwich. Why not try the Blue Cap, just 11 minutes' drive away, to complete a day of heartfelt memories?

The Ice Cream Farm

Award-winning ice cream, fun at the farm and family-friendly events are aplenty here at the Ice Cream Farm, and it's just a 25-minute drive from the Blue Cap, Sandiway, too. There are ten different areas for the little ones to run wild in, including Europe's largest indoor sand and water play, an adventure golf course and an arcade room for older children.

The Ice Cream Farm is also home to the world's biggest ice cream shop. The shop is filled with over 50 flavours of award-winning Cheshire Farm Ice Cream, which are topped with enough sprinkles and sauces to fulfil even the sweetest of tooths.

If you're looking for an event for the whole family, the Ice Cream Farm has themed escape rooms, scavenger hunts, toddler time and more. It's the perfect place to treat everyone to a day of fun and excitement in a fun and engaging environment. And, after a busy day of play, you can pop into the Blue Cap for a drink and some non-ice-cream-themed food afterwards.

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