Many people hear the word Stansted - Essex and only one thing comes to mind, Stansted Airport. As one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom, that's completely understandable. However, what many people don't really consider is that there are many towns that immediately surround the airport that have plenty to offer whether you're just passing through or you're looking for a different point of origin for a day away.

Stansted Mountfitchet offers visitors an incredible wooden eleventh to twelfth century Norman castle that was completely reconstructed back in 1980. Your family-especially the kids-will love exploring the castle and having their pictures taken. What a cool thing to show their friends! While you're in the Stansted Mountfitchet area, don't miss out on the toy museum!

Also close by and of interest are the towns of Cambridge, Ely, Norwich and Bury Saint Edmunds. You'll find peace and tranquility, even though you're close by to the airport. You can get guided boat tours of the waterways of these towns.

There are plenty of local museums to spend your time in when you're passing through on a long layover or have a few days to spend in the area. The Duxford Aviation Museum or Imperial War Museum as it is also known, provides hours of enjoyment for the aviation buff in you. Here you'll find a huge assortment of aircraft both civilian and military.

You'll find aircraft from the world wars as well as civilian aircraft from the 50s, 60s and through today. You can also see a vast array of military vehicles scattered around the museum. You'll be able to show your kids something they'll never see anywhere else. There is a concord on display that you can tour at the museum. Since these beautiful planes no longer fly, you can bet the kids will be interested in checking out a piece of aviation history a little closer to their generation.

No matter the reason for being in the Stansted - Essex area, there's something for every member of your family to enjoy from aviation to shopping.