Visit Essex, the county’s tourism organisation, is encouraging people to get on a train, get out and explore the county for Railway 200 this September. Councillor Mark Durham, Chair of Visit Essex, says: “For 200 years trains have been bringing visitors to our seaside resorts of Southend and Clacton-on-Sea. These were some of the first destinations to benefit from the railway in the golden age of steam.

“Today, visitors can still hop on a train and travel to these resorts very quickly. The county offers super-fast railways and heritage train experiences. There is no better way to celebrate Railway 200 than by going out and experiencing one of our top five things to do in Essex.”

From steam engines to high-speed intercity connections, Essex offers top day trips for families and rail enthusiasts alike.

Here are Visit Essex’s top five Railway 200 inspired things to do…

Southend-on-Sea Pier Railway
Take a trip on the world’s longest pleasure pier, which stretches 1.25 miles into the Thames Estuary. Hop on board one of their eco-friendly electric trains and journey from Southend-on-Sea’s shore to pier head. Once there, kick back in a deckchair, ice cream in hand and soak up those big-sky estuary views.

Epping Ongar Railway
Step back in time on Essex’s longest heritage line. Vintage buses whisk visitors from Epping or Shenfield stations straight to the steam-and-diesel fuelled-trains. Experience the romance of classic locomotives, heritage stations, and the unmistakable hiss of steam engines in full flow.

East Anglian Railway Museum
The East Anglian Railway Museum offers 10 acres of train-lover’s heaven in Chappel, near Colchester. Discover historic signal boxes and station buildings, peek inside the restoration shed, and marvel at the rolling stock. Families flock here for the ever-popular Thomas the Tank Engine days, which bring the magic of books and TV series to life.

Audley End Miniature Railway
All aboard for a small-scale adventure with a big dose of charm. This miniature train weaves through ancient woodland, delighting little ones and grown-ups alike. Off the tracks, there’s a huge adventure playground plus enchanting fairy and elf walks to keep the magic going.

C2c and Greater Anglia
There’s no better was to explore the county than by train. Train operators c2c and Greater Anglia offer discounts on travel such as GroupSave, Senior Rover Tickets and Family Travelcards. C2c is also offering 40% off standard off-peak day returns when booked online three days in advance. Book in advance for great days out to Southend, Clacton-on-Sea or Audley End House and Gardens.

To discover more, visit www.visitessex.com