Essex Painted Rocks On Tour!
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If you’ve made it to this page, then you’ve probably found one of my Essex Explored rocks! Thanks for stopping by! I have painted a series of rocks which focus on Essex landmarks, companies and attractions and hidden them around Essex! The idea of this project is that you can discover and learn something about Essex and track the travels of the different rocks!
Essex Painted Rocks
What To Do Next?
Head over to the Essex Explored Facebook community and share a picture of the rock and where you found it! I’ll be keeping an eye out and will update this page with where the rocks end up.
Then re-hide the rock for someone else to enjoy! You can hide it somewhere in the same town or feel free to take it with you on your travels and hide it in a different location!
If you do plan on keeping the rock, rather than re-hiding it, please drop a comment just so I’m aware that it’s gone out of circulation! I’d appreciate a follow on my Facebook page, the Essex Explored Instagram (@essexexplored), or maybe consider signing up to my free Essex newsletter.
Your support helps me to continue creating fun Essex content (and painting more rocks!) and doesn’t cost you anything!
The Rocks On Tour
There are 7 rocks that I’m currently tracking, plus 2 extra that are just a bit of fun!
Bocking Windmill
There are several different windmills in Essex but this one is based on Bocking Windmill, near Braintree. The sails are actually white, not black (I had to get creative, I’m painting on a rock after all!). The windmill was originally built in 1721 but has been at its current location since 1829.
Other Essex windmills include: Thaxted Mill, Finchingfield Post Mill and Mountnessing Windmill.
Status: In Circulation
Tracked Locations: Bocking Blackwater river walk, Braintree – Essex (Starting Point)
Hedingham Castle
There are several castles in Essex (Colchester Castle, Hadleigh Castle, etc), but this rock represents Hedingham Castle. It’s a Norman keep (fortified tower) that’s over 900 years old! Once upon a time, the castle would have had 4 turrets but only 2 remain on the structure that can be seen today.
Status: In Circulation
Tracked Locations: Chappel Viaduct – Essex (Starting Point)
Colchester Zoo
Colchester Zoo is a much loved Essex attraction. The zoo first opened back in 1963 and has grown massively over the years. There are many different species of animal at Colchester Zoo but the rock represents the ‘Lion Rock’ (no pun intended!). Three lions call the zoo home, 2 females and 1 male! Other animals at the zoo include: chimpanzees, orang-utans, elephants, giraffes and rhinos.
Status: In Circulation
Tracked Locations: Heybridge Basin – Essex (Starting Point)
Beach Huts
The beach huts are based on any particular location. Essex has the second-longest coastline in England and several of the seaside towns have beach huts! They can be found in places like: Clacton, Walton, Mersea Island, and Osea/Maldon. They are often painted in bright colours!
Status: In Circulation
Tracked Locations: West Mersea beach, Essex (Starting Point)
Ice Cream (Rossi, Southend-on-Sea)
Rossi ice cream has been made in Southend since 1932! I don’t know about you but I love having an ice cream while I’m at the seaside! Plenty of places along Southend seafront serve Rossi ice cream, or it can be purchased in tubs from several different shops! There are plenty of things to do in Southend, such as Adventure Island amusement park and Southend Pier, the longest pleasure pier in the world!
Status: In Circulation
Tracked Locations: Maldon Promenade Park – Essex (Starting Point)
Strawberry (Tiptree/Wilkin & Son)
The strawberry rock represents Tiptree Jam (Wilkin & Son). The brand dates back to the 1700’s and is sold around the world (I’ve found it for sale in Iowa and Wisconsin in America!). Even though the jam and preserves are what Tiptree is known for, they sell other products like gin! They also have 11 tearooms, mainly in Essex, where you can enjoy their products as part of a lovely cream tea!
Status: In Circulation
Tracked Locations: Cressing Temple Barns (Starting Point)
Essex Explored
This rock isn’t a physical location, it’s just my website! I love to explore Essex county and now I hope my rock can explore it too! The aim of this website is to create a bunch of travel inspiration and things to do in and around Essex. From free things, like the best walks, to visiting paid activities. There’s something for everyone!
Status: In Circulation
Tracked Locations: Braintree & Bocking Public Gardens (Starting Point)
Untracked Rocks
The Minions
The Minions aren’t being tracked. These are for fun and to make you smile :). Even though I’m not tracking them, please feel free to hide them for others to enjoy or if you plan on keeping them, please consider giving me a follow!
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