A companion who shares their interests, in Essex

Somewhere to go

Level parkland paths at Hylands Estate

Chelmsford

A large historic park and house on the edge of Chelmsford with waymarked routes through gardens, lawns and woodland. A carer can pick a short loop near the house, drive to the nearer car park and build in a tea stop rather than attempting the full circuit.

Getting around: The estate says most pathways are flat hard standing surfaces, though some areas may be affected by weather or works.

Source: hylandsestate.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Riverside stroll in Promenade Park

Maldon

An Edwardian park on the bank of the Blackwater with a lake, beach huts and long views over the water and Thames barges. A carer can follow the published step-free route from the Mill Road entrance, using the toilets and benches near the start.

Getting around: A published step-free walking route runs from the Mill Road pedestrian entrance on large smooth paths, with free public toilets near the car park.

Source: walks.gojauntly.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Friday lunchtime concerts at Chelmsford Cathedral

Chelmsford

Free lunchtime concerts are held in the cathedral every Friday during term time, with a changing programme of visiting musicians. A carer can arrange transport and arrive early for a seat, since the concerts are short and popular.

Source: chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

In the calendar

Leigh Folk Festival

Leigh-on-Sea

An annual festival running since 1992 with free music across outdoor stages, library gardens, dance sides and singarounds around Leigh-on-Sea, plus ticketed church concerts. A carer can plan one afternoon around a single stage and a nearby seat rather than trying to cover the whole town.

Source: c2c-online.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Chelmsford

A large Royal Horticultural Society garden on a hilltop east of Chelmsford, with a dry garden, rose garden and glasshouse displays. A carer can book a mobility scooter in advance, plan the visit around the hilltop transport and use the café without entering the grounds on a tiring day.

Getting around: Listings describe step-free access at the entrance and step-free access to all or most areas, with a mobility vehicle to reach the hilltop garden.

Source: ratedtrips.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Beth Chatto's Plants and Gardens

Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens, Elmstead Market

The internationally known gravel, damp, woodland and reservoir gardens created by Beth Chatto, with an adjoining nursery and tea room. A carer can push a wheelchair round all areas, phone ahead about particular needs, and help choose a plant from the nursery to take home.

Getting around: The garden states full wheelchair access to all areas of the gardens, nursery and visitor areas, with disabled parking, although the main entrance is gravel.

Source: bethchatto.co.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

A day watching Essex County Cricket Club

County Cricket Ground, Chelmsford

Essex play first-class and one-day cricket at the County Ground in central Chelmsford through the summer season. A carer can book seats for a shorter one-day fixture, bring a rug and a thermos and leave at a natural break if the day gets long.

Source: visitessex.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Walking football sessions across Essex

Essex FA lists a developing walking football scene with regular sessions around the county for older players, including over 60s and over 70s groups. A carer can ring a session organiser about pace and standing time, then provide the lift and stay to watch.

Source: essexfa.com. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to join

Knit and Natter at Great Baddow Library

Chelmsford

A free weekly knitting club at the library on Thursday afternoons, open to anyone with no experience needed. A carer can carry the bag of wool, provide the lift and stay for the tea and chat if wanted.

Source: libraries.essex.gov.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Local tradition

Coggeshall tambour lace

Coggeshall Museum, Coggeshall

Coggeshall had its own lace industry from about 1820, with cottage workers decorating net using a tambour hook, and the local museum keeps the story and examples of the work. A carer could take someone to see the collection and use it as a prompt for their own needlework at home.

Source: coggeshallmuseum.org. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

The Munnings Art Museum at Castle House

Dedham

The former home and studio of Sir Alfred Munnings in Dedham, hung with his paintings and set in a garden with a tea room. A carer can use the disabled parking, take the shorter route to the front door and break the visit with tea in the garden.

Getting around: There are disabled parking spaces in the main car park for the garden café, and parking at the front of the museum for a shorter walk to the door.

Source: munningsmuseum.org.uk. Check opening times and access before you go.

Somewhere to go

Free exhibitions at Firstsite

Colchester

Colchester's contemporary art gallery, free to enter, with changing exhibitions, a café and a programme of workshops and classes. A carer can check what is on, keep the visit to one or two rooms and sit in the café afterwards to talk about the work.

Getting around: The venue listing describes the shop in the gallery foyer as fully accessible, with café seating on site.

Source: visitessex.com. Check opening times and access before you go.