A new activity getting out and about exploring unknown destinations inspired by the familiar sign on the side of the road.
First published on Comfortably Adventurous 8th October 2024.
In the UK, tourist destinations are shown on signs with a brown background. They are used on the highways to direct travellers towards a local attraction, and in the modern age where the most direct and efficient route is just a click away they serve today to give a measure of guidance and reassurance on unfamiliar roads. Over the Summer, we set out on a new activity, finding a local attraction a short distance away, usually about ten or fifteen miles then stopping on our way back home at any attraction that inspired or intrigued us. The criteria, to see a brown sign on the side of the road and be open minded to what we may discover just around the corner. It was a way to see some local attractions and destinations, but fundamentally, appreciating the familiarity of the destination whilst enjoying the unpredictability of the journey.
Anxiety, manifested through an unease of the unknown and unpredictability has emerged in recent years. Catastrophising situations and overthinking the worst that could happen in the moment. Setting out on the road to somewhere unfamiliar had the potential to be an uncomfortable experience but certainly it proved an enjoyable way to overcome a measure of anxiety with elements under my control. Principally, the removal of the weight of expectations and just enjoying the whimsical nature of where we found ourselves and what we would discover along the way. We would begin with a starting location, usually an hour or so away from home and a random local attraction that had a charming appeal and nature. The more niche in its appeal, the better. We could enjoy the journey, discover something new along the way, and personally realise the unknown isn’t always something to feel anxious about.
A train carriage, a craft village and a horse sanctuary
Our first adventure begun on the East side of London, setting out into the Essex countryside with our first local attraction selected, the Railway Carriage Museum in Rayne. I’ve had a soft spot for steam railways going all the way back to my childhood with family holidays to the North York Moors and enjoying the sounds and smells of the engines. They create a sense of familiarity and comfort, an ideal way to start a new journey and activity. By car it was a 45 minute journey through the backroads and countryside, on a clear sunny morning the perfect way to spend a day exploring just beyond the familiar and recognisable local roads and places. There was a measure of anxiety before we set off, there usually is but it was nice to drive there in my own car with no real weight of expectations of quality or significance.
Following our faithful brown sign, we pulled into the car park of what was once a bustling railway station, now thoughtfully repurposed as a community project and local destination. The preserved station building and fencing – though only a superficial echo of the past – instantly reminded me of the heritage railways I rode in my youth, a world away from the electrified, modern commute into the capital each morning. Without the familiar smell of smoke or the rhythmic chuff of a steam engine, something felt subtly “off,” yet it was easy to imagine stepping through the station building onto a working platform. The presence of the preserved carriage completed the picture. You could feel the pride behind its restoration, a quiet dedication to honouring what this place once was.
The museum itself is not quite what its name suggests. Rather than a grand collection, it’s a single railway carriage lovingly maintained by volunteers at the old Rayne station. The setting is charming: an old platform now home to a tea room and a popular stop for cyclists, with original buildings still standing and the carriage resting on a short stretch of track bed. Inside, railway paraphernalia lines the walls, including a delightful model railway showing how the station once looked. We chatted briefly with the two volunteers on duty – both friendly, and perhaps a little surprised to see such enthusiastic visitors so early on a Sunday morning. Entry is free, with a donation tin at the end. After watching the model train pull into the miniature station, we dropped in a few coins, stepped back out into the sunshine, and set off toward our next stop
One of the joys of these road‑trip adventures is the time between destinations — those quiet stretches where you can reflect on what you’ve just experienced. We smiled and chatted about the railway carriage, imagining how my dad would have enjoyed the whimsical charm of it all. Before long, we found ourselves pulling into our next stop: Blake House Craft Centre in Braintree, Essex. We both have a soft spot for a good craft village, often seeking out a farm shop on our travels to indulge a sweet tooth. This particular collection of small businesses has a genuine arts‑and‑crafts feel, set within a transformed farmyard that carries a strong sense of community. There was a wool and yarn shop my mum would have loved, and a dolls’ house shop that reminded me of my cousins and their old‑fashioned pastime. It’s an interesting place – it even promised peacocks, though none made an appearance for us – but it was still a charming spot to spend a little time before continuing our journey.
Our final destination as we drew a little closer to London was Redwings Horse Sanctuary. As a country girl Anna does enjoy an equestrian dalliance, she has a soft spot for shire horses with their hairy hoofs. As we got closer to home, that familiar brown side pointed us towards this local sanctuary for horses that proved an enjoyable end to this particular adventure. Another free attraction, it provides an opportunity to get close to the animals, home to a variety of horses, donkeys and other furry creatures that enjoy the open paddocks and beautiful surroundings. Parking up, it was a popular local attraction, especially on a nice clear day with families and especially children being able to enjoy the opportunity to be close to these beautiful animals. Horses have never been of a particular interest personally but I could enjoy them in their relaxed nature.
It was big enough to stretch our legs, enjoy walking through the fields and taking a few minutes to stop and stroke the more relaxed ponies who came up for a head stroke or a hand full of food. A number of the horses are available to sponsor, an interesting way to generate income to sustain the attraction and create awareness of the charity work undertaken to provide a home and sanctuary to the animals. Not somewhere I would have really gravitated towards but in the spirit of exploration and discovery, it was a lovely way to bring this particular adventure to a close, an open space that is open and family friendly. You could certainly see the appeal, and provided Anna the opportunity to stroke a pony which put a smile on her face. We said goodbye to a few curious goats as we pulled out of the sanctuary and enjoyed a leisurely drive through Epping Forest to get back home.
Closing Thoughts
Three contrasting attractions, one that appealed to my childhood fondness for steam locomotives, another towards her upbringing a world away from a life in the Capital. All on a chance as we enjoyed a care free and exploratory drive around the Essex Countryside to see what we could discover on our brown signs day out. What made it more relaxing was the care free nature of our discoveries, no pressure to make the most of a bad experience. If it was truly terrible, we could just drive away and reflect warmly on a new experience. That carefree spirit epitomises this journey. Maps and driving aides are designed to find the most direct and efficient way to a destination, this trip was about discovering those attractions a little more hidden away that have a more local flavour. And it’s incredibly easy to do, just see a sign and take a chance.
I did feel a little anxiety setting out in the car, driving an hour away without any real knowledge or idea where we were headed. I wish that stress would disappear but its ever present, it sits like a tight ball of tension inside just focusing on the worst that could happen. This journey and endeavour provided an opportunity to ever so gently stretch my comfort levels in visiting somewhere new and unknown in a relaxed atmosphere. I was glad when we got home, but also a little proud to have overcome the fear of the unknown, to actually enjoy the exploration which stopped being something I looked positively towards a long time ago. It was a success, and encouraged us to start thinking about our next brown sign adventure. It built a little mental resilience in a safe and enjoyable manner. A week later we set out on our next adventure, but that’s a story for another day.
Thank you for reading.
Brown Sign Chronicles 
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