If good things come in small packages; this teeny-tiny town must be pretty bloody brilliant. Spanning just 47 acres, Manningtree in Essex is the smallest town in England. Well, the smallest by size, that is. The smallest town by population is down in Kent – but that’s an article for another day, I suppose.
Manningtree is a charming riverside town, sat on the banks of the River Stour. Perched proudly on the edge of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; this small-but-mighty spot is cute, charming and steeped in history. A trio of traits that make for a pretty great day-trip destination, don’t you think?
Things to do in Manningtree
What Manningtree lacks in size, it makes for with things to do in spades. With its beautiful Georgian streets that boast an abundance of local coffee shops, cafes, and pubs; Manningtree has a vibrant community and thriving independent business scene. You could easily spend an entire day hopping from eatery to drinkery. If, however, you like to spend your days doing more than just stuffing your face (can’t relate, but fine); you need not worry.
There’s something historic, interesting, or utterly gorgeous to gawp at with every turn. There’s North House Gallery for the culture-vultures, Manningtree Emporium for the antique-fiends, Manningtree Library for the literature-lovers, and the nearby Wrabness Nature Reserve for those of you who fancy inhaling some actual fresh air and partaking in a spot of bird-watching. Manningtree also boasts its very own mini man-made beach; a small patch of sand on the banks of the river that makes for a rather popular summery swimming spot at high-tide.
Getting to Manningtree from London
Manningtree is within pretty easy reach from London, with direct and fairly regular trains from Liverpool Street taking around 55 minutes. The drive is slightly longer, taking approximately an hour and a half. But once you get to Manningtree, there’s plenty of pay-and-display parking available.