A number of very good local restaurants/gastro pubs are nearby, including The Barge Inn (Battlesbridge), The Anchor (Hullbridge) and The Magic Mushroom (Billericay).
There are also excellent antique centres nearby at Battlesbridge, Rettendon and Great Baddow, while RHS Hyde Hall is a 15 minute drive away and an interesting place to visit.
Rawreth Hall provided an excellent location for the London 2012 Olympics. Mountain biking at the Hadleigh Country Park Olympic Venue is less than 7 miles away (and is open for the public to ride on), the Lee Valley White Water Centre is within 33 miles, and the Olympic Stadium and Village at Stratford is approximately 35 minutes away by train.
Local places to visit include: