Visitor Information

What are the opening times?

Dates	Opening times	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun
4 January - 16 March 2008	10:30 - 4:30	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Open	Open	Open
18 March - 2 November 2008	10:30 - 5:00	Closed	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
7 November - December 2008	10:30 - dusk	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Open	Open	Open

Key to Opening Times:

	Open
	Closed

Open Bank Holiday Mondays from March to October and half term holidays, please contact the Visitor Centre on 01376 563796 to confirm dates. Last admissions half an hour before closing.

How much does it cost?

The car park is free, current admission to the Gardens, Arboretum and Woodland Walks is shown below:

Where is Marks Hall?

We are easy to find, just follow the brown and white signs on the A120, north of Coggeshall.

Or you can find us on MultiMap by clicking here.

Where can I stay?

There is a caravan/camp site located to the north of the Estate and is available for clubs. The area provides up to 50 pitches and has water and waste disposal facilities. The cost is £6.00 per caravan, for more information please contact the Visitor Centre on 01376 563796.

More information about where to stay in Essex can be found on the Real Essex Web site (http://www.realessex.co.uk) - just click on Experience Essex and then Where to Stay.

What facilities are available?

• Toilets, accessible for wheelchair users.

• Access: The Visitor Centre is all on one level with disabled access available at both entrances. There are wheelchairs available for loan.

• Grounds: There are some hard surfaced, but also a number of grass and unsurfaced paths which can be affected by wet weather, stout walking shoes are recommended. Benches are provided throughout the estate.

• There is a chauffeur driven buggy available for visitors, which can carry up to five passengers. This enables less mobile visitors to have a tour of the Gardens and Arboretum; it is essential to book in advance of your visit. There is no charge for this, but we do ask for a donation towards the upkeep of the vehicle.

What about group bookings?

Our admission price to the Gardens, Arboretum and Walks is £2.50 per head for coach parties. We can offer guided walks of the Gardens and Arboretum, which are at additional cost. All group bookings need to be booked prior to visit.

Please contact the Visitor Services Manager Julia Fosker, on 01376 563796 or at bookings@markshall.org.uk for further details.

What is there at the Visitor Centre?

• Our Visitor Centre has a Tea room which serves tea, coffee and a variety of home made cakes. Light lunches are also available, between 12:00 - 2:30 and specials vary from day to day.

• The shop sells a selection of quality gifts and locally produced goods.

• Maps and guides are available at the shop counter.

Where are the Woodland Walks?

To enable visitors to observe and enjoy the landscapes, plants and animals, we have created three circular walks, ranging in length from half a mile, to two and a half miles. All paths are colour coded and way marked, starting from the Visitor Centre.

Bench Meadow Wood Walk - Yellow Markers (1/2 mile)
This short walk gives you some of the best views of the Estate. You take a track alongside hedgerow and then across the top of Bench Meadow, looking across Robin's Brook to what was the site of Marks Hall mansion at the top of the hill.

Crowlands Wood Walk - Blue Markers (2 miles)
This is a favourite route for wildlife watching as you can take grassy tracks - excellent for butterflies - past medieval hedgerows and through ancient Crowlands Wood into the heart of the Honywood forest.

The Old Deer Park Walk - Red Markers (2 1/2 miles)
This route takes you round the outside of the Arboretum and little more than 60 years ago this area was part of the Deer Park. Most of the Pollard Oaks were felled in the fifties to make way for conifers but the remaining ones are a real haven for all kinds of wildlife.

Further Information

• Dogs are permitted on the estate on a lead, but are not allowed in the Arboretum, except guide dogs.

• Please ask for a map of the estate at the Visitor Centre for the woodland walks available.

• Cycling is permitted on the designated paths but not around the Visitor Centre.

• Picnic tables are situated outside the Visitor Centre.

• Barbecues and open fires are not permitted anywhere on site.