East of England
Meet mature gay men in and around Essex
Essex has ancient forest, a long coastline, river valleys and a string of friendly towns, many with fast links to London. It is an easy, comfortable county in which to meet someone new. Check opening times before you go.
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First date ideas in Essex
Three easy places to meet someone new in and around Essex. Check opening times before you go.
Epping Forest
A huge area of ancient woodland on the edge of London, with paths, ponds and open glades. Free to walk, so wear sturdy shoes.
Dedham Vale and the River Stour
A peaceful valley on the Essex and Suffolk border, with riverside paths, meadows and pretty villages. Free to walk.
Southend seafront and pier
A long seafront with sand, a promenade and a pier reaching out into the Thames estuary. Check opening times before you go.
Around Essex
Towns and countryside: Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend, Basildon, Brentwood, Maldon, Braintree, Clacton, Epping, Harlow, Saffron Walden and Rochford.
A note on the coast and the forest: much of Essex is flat, so coastal paths and estuary shores can be exposed and breezy, while Epping Forest is easy to get lost in. Wear sturdy shoes, carry a waterproof and check tide times by the sea.
South Essex and the coast
Mid Essex
North Essex and the Tendring coast
West Essex
Getting there: Greater Anglia trains run from London Liverpool Street to Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich, c2c trains run from London Fenchurch Street to Basildon and Southend, and the Elizabeth line serves Brentwood and Shenfield. The M25, A12, A13 and M11 are the main roads.
Silver Gay Singles covers the whole UK, so you can join from Essex and look at nearby towns too. New to dating again? Our guide to dating safely is a good place to start.
Join free and meet mature gay men near Essex
Create a free profile to see who is around and start a conversation at your own pace.
Questions about dating in Essex
What is a good first date in Essex?
There are plenty of easy options: a walk in Epping Forest, an afternoon in Dedham Vale and a stroll along Southend seafront. Choose somewhere public, keep it short and check opening times before you go.
How do I get to Essex?
Greater Anglia trains run from London Liverpool Street to Chelmsford, Colchester and Ipswich, c2c trains run from London Fenchurch Street to Basildon and Southend, and the Elizabeth line serves Brentwood and Shenfield. The M25, A12, A13 and M11 are the main roads.
Can I join Silver Gay Singles from Essex?
Yes. Creating a profile is free, and you can say where you live. Silver Gay Singles covers the whole UK, so you can look at other towns too.
Is it safe to meet someone from online dating in Essex?
Meet somewhere public, tell a friend where you are going and keep the first date short. Our guide to dating safely has more tips.