Things to do in Essex

Basildon, Essex

With a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor activities, there's something here to entertain children aged 4-12. From the large main play frame with giant ...

Colchester, Essex

Conservation centre run by the Essex Wildlife Trust.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

One of the best value theme parks in the South East with over 40 rides. 

Purfleet, Essex

Arena Essex Raceway is a stock car and speedway racing track. Here you can watch amazing racing action, whether it's the contact formula where you'll see the...

Colchester, Essex

With a variety of different items available for decorating, as well as other crafts on offfer, Artypants studio is perfect for those of all ages wanting to l...

Saffron Walden, Essex

Audley End is one of England's most magnificent stately homes. Built by Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk to entertain King James I. Note: English Heritage mem...

Billericay, Essex

Discover free range family fun at Barleylands. In the Farm Park get close to farmyard friends and join in daily animal activities in the indoor animal barn a...

Brentwood, Essex

This charming miniture railway provides a perfect day out for those wishing to see and explore more of the Essex countryside. The trains pass through beautif...

Rayleigh, Essex

With over 35,00 sq. ft of wall to wall trampolines, this complex has many different areas primed for intense jumping action. From the UK's only trampoline ha...

Basildon, Essex

Everyone Can Climb! Our centre offers sessions for absolute beginners through to experienced climbers on our climbing wall or bouldering area. The starting a...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

The gallery houses some 2,000 works, including works by Constable.

Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

In the heart of Leigh-on Sea, this nature reserve runs events throughout the year so that those of all ages can experience this ancient woodland. The wo...

Maldon, Essex

At the newly refurbished Blackwater Leisure Centre there is a huge range of activities on offer. From swimming to the large and extremely well equipped gym. ...

Colchester, Essex

For any wanting to let their creative side out, Blue Owl Ceramics Painting Studio has a variety of products available to purchase and decorate instore. With ...

Colchester, Essex

This watermill has a fascinating history. First built in the sixteenth century as a fishing lodge it was later converted into several different types of mill...

Braintree, Essex

Boydells dairy farm is a small working farm in the North Essex countryside. The farm specialises in sheep milking and provides a fun and educational visit fo...

Southminster, Essex

Land based activities for children and adults. See website for details.

Braintree, Essex

Braintree Funhouse Comedy Club is 1 of many Funhouse Comedy Club venues in the UK. As the UK's foremost promoters and bookers of live stand-up comedy, establ...

Brentwood, Essex

Brentwood Karting offers a wide range of karting formats and options. Race on your own, as part of a team, or simply turn up and drive some practice laps.

Dedham, Essex

Just upstream from Flatford Mill, the restored thatched 16th century cottage houses an exhibition about John Constable. Set in an area of outstanding beauty.

Barking, Essex

The UK's Longest Indoor Go Karting Track. 

Colchester, Essex

Situated in the heart of Colchester, this beautiful park hosts a number of attractions including the castle museum, miniture golf, a play park, boating as we...

Chelmsford, Essex

15th century building.

Chelmsford, Essex

Both the Chelsmford Museum as well as the Essex Regimental Museum host a variety of activities and events suitable for the whole family throughout the y...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

With 12 bowling lanes, a soft play area for the kids, a cafe and a bar, CJ's is the perfect venue whether you're looking for relaxing drink or a competative ...

Brentwood, Essex

  Join your friends, put your thinking caps on and try your hand at escaping from a room with just sixty minutes on the clock. With two different escap...

Tilbury, Essex

Coalhouse Fort had links with centuries of coastal defence, the fort was in operation during the two World Wars.

Colchester, Essex

The largest surviving Norman Keep in Europe and constructed in the eleventh century, Colchester castle contians a variety of exhibitions hosting collections ...

Colchester, Essex

East Anglia's largest sports and leasure complex. Facilities include a leisure pool with flumes, fitness pool, gym, health spa and squash.

Colchester, Essex

For those looking to experince the natural history that surrounds Colchester look no further. With a focus on wildlife, there are many fascinating exhibition...

Colchester, Essex

With over 270 species set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, more than 50 daily displays, new undercover soft play complex, 4 adventure play areas,...

Colchester, Essex

With many different types of wildlife making this area their home, these marshes make the perfect setting for a scenic walk along the Essex coast any time of...

Chelmsford, Essex

A soft indoor play centre suitable for children of under 8 years. Seating  for adults and baby changing fascilities are also available.

Braintree, Essex

Two of the world’s largest and finest Templar timber-built barns and beautiful grounds with a stunning Walled Tudor Garden.

Colchester, Essex

Home to stunning views, a sandy beach and plenty if open grassy space, Cudmore Grove Country Park is the perfect place to get away from it all. The perfect s...

Colchester, Essex

Have fun discovering Colchester with two self-guided, heritage walks with an optional treasure hunt. Buy or instantly download & get curious! Are you cu...

Danbury, Essex

Part of an old park contianing woodland and lakes with ducks and gardens.

Colchester, Essex

With 40 acres of vines set in the natural beauty of Northern Essex, a tour of Dedham Vale Vineyard is perfect for any wanting to sample the local wines of th...

Canvey Island, Essex

The oldest of originally three (known) Dutch Cottages on Canvey Island, this one is dated 1681. It was occupied into the twentieth century until it was made ...

Colchester, Essex

A working museum representing 100 years of railway. Working signal boxes, restoration shed, locomotives and more.

St Osyth, Essex

P51D Mustang on display together with other World War II exhibits.

Barking, Essex

Built in the sixteenth century, this Tudor gentry house has had little changed since its original construction. A tour of this grand house gives the oppurtun...

Loughton, Essex

Visitor Centre for information on and exploration of Epping Forest.

Epping, Essex

Epping Ongar Railway is Essex’s award winning longest heritage railway and the closest to London, running from Ongar to North Weald and into Epping For...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Escape Live is a brilliant group activity, with two great locations nationwide. Work as a team (2-5 people) to find hidden clues and solve puzzles...before t...

Thurrock, Essex

For anyone wanting to discover more about the history of fire service, look no further than a guided tour around the Essex Fire Museum. There are a variety o...

Chelmsford, Essex

Take a glimpse into the working lives of the essex Police force, from Vicotiran times to the modern day. Not only is the museum home to over 25,000 pieces of...

Colchester, Essex

  With stunning views that overlook the Colne Estuary, this nature reserve and visitor centre owned by the Essex Wildlife Trust is the perfect spot to ...

Colchester, Essex

Firstsite is a contemporary art gallery and visual arts organisation in Colchester, which was founded in 1994. Firstsite's new home, which was designed by aw...

Abridge, Essex

Established in 1987 and voted the number one paintball site in the UK, Force 10 Essex offers one of the best paintballing experiences available. With top of ...

Rochford, Essex

Force 10 Southend Paintball houses some excellent game zones and featuring some classic paintball missions such as capture the flag. Rumour has it there is a...

Chigwell, Essex

At Foxburrows Farm you can see many animals including owls, rabbits, sheep, pigs and many more.

Rochford, Essex

This indoor soft area provides over 20,000 sq. ft of fun for children of all ages. From slides, to ball pits, to the climbing wall along with a variety of ar...

Hadleigh, Essex

Glass & Craft has a variety of objects to paint and crafts to try including: glass painting, chocolate crafts, fabric crafts and bear building. With a fr...

Colchester, Essex

Gnome Magic is an unusual place to visit with a garden that extends into a woodland where around 500 Gnomes, Witches and other creatures dwell.

Colchester, Essex

Go Bananas is a large indoor adventure play centre. As well as a large play area there is a 3 storey climbing frame, a tiny town adventure for toddlers, a cl...

Colchester, Essex

  With 20 acres of gardens designed for year-round enjoyment along with a relaxing tea room, a photographic exhibition and many plants available for sa...

Chipping Ongar, Essex

Greensted Church is the oldest wooden church in the world, dating from the 11th century.

Hadleigh, Essex

The remains of a once almighty fortress constructed over seven centuries ago, only the barbican and two towers remain. The country park is made up of woodlan...

Hadleigh, Essex

Run by the Salvation Army, Hadleigh Farm has a variety of activities suitable for the whole family. From the well-renowned tea rooms, to the natural and hist...

Chigwell, Essex

Ancient woodland, lake, farm, nature trail and picnic area.

Billericay, Essex

100 acre woodland reserve, overlooking the reservoir, with nature trails and bird hides.

Harlow, Essex

Harlow Dogs includes an upstairs restaurant and bar, and a downstairs bar whilst you watch the races.

Colchester, Essex

Situated in the heart of Colchester, Headgate Theatre has a variety of performances, plays and concerts performed throughout the year.  Please check the...

Colchester, Essex

330 acres of woodland, grassland and wetland.

Epping, Essex

  This grade II listed Elizibethan Mansion is a stunning example of early Renaissance architiecture. While it has now been divided into private hosues,...

Brentwood, Essex

Caring for neglected and abused animals for over thirty years now, Hopefield animal sanctuary gives the oppurtunity to get up close and personal with these r...

Chelmsford, Essex

A beautiful grade II listed neo-classical villa set in over 500 acres of parklands and gardens.

Chelmsford, Essex

This beautiful park contains 574 acres of open space and is home to many stunning gardens, vast woodlands as well as ponds and lakes. 

Billericay, Essex

The Imperial Bird of Prey academy is the perfect day out for all bird lovers. With a variety of experience days available including: learning the art of falc...

Chelmsford, Essex

Built in the sixteenth century by Tudor secretary of state Sir William Petre, Ingatestone Hall stands proud in the countryside of Ingatestone and retain...

Thurrock, Essex

Located in West Thurrock, Grays, intu Lakeside is the perfect place for you to enjoy even more shopping, food and entertainment! From free WiFi to disab...

Colchester, Essex

For all those that love to bounce, Jump Street Colchester has wall to wall trampolines and a variety of different areas to enjoy. From basketball to the to t...

Colchester, Essex

With a variety of fun activities run daily as well as an indoor soft play area, Jungle Adventure is the perfect place to keep young children entertained.

Brentwood, Essex

3 storey ex-government regional HQ, buried 80ft underground. Features include a kitchen, dorms, power, filtration, plotting floor, government administration ...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

This indoor soft play area has a variety of equipment and events to keep children of all ages entertained with speciality events such as Teen nights and part...

Thurrock, Essex

Lakeside Karting offer a wide range of karting formats and options. Race on your own, as part of a team, or simply turn up and drive some practice laps.

Colchester, Essex

Based on the University of Essex Campus, The Lakeside Theatre is host to a variety of different shows and performances throughout the year. Refurbsihed in 20...

Basildon, Essex

Suit up and get ready for adrenaline pumping laser action! Grab your team mates and battle for supremacy through various combat areas in order to become a ch...

Colchester, Essex

Tudor building with the tallest gatehouse in Britain.

Waltham Abbey, Essex

Lee Valley White Water Centre offers guests gallons of fun, where they can choose from a fantastic range of activities for all age groups. From white water r...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Located right in the middle of the Old Town and full of local artifects and exhibits, the Leigh Heritage centre is perfect for any wanting to drop in and lea...

Colchester, Essex

  Rumoured to the be burial site of the Celtic King Cunobelinus, as well as containing many other pre-Roman graves, this site is one of the few survivi...

Maldon, Essex

Said to be the most haunted town in Essex, join a porofessional guide for an evening of spooky stories and scares.    There is no need to book, s...

Colchester, Essex

Showing both live performances and movies, Manifest theatre is the perfect venue for an evening of theatre or of enjoying the charms of the silver screen.

Colchester, Essex

The 200 acres of gardens and Arboretum at Marks Hall form an unmissable attraction in the Essex countryside. It combines many English traditions with be...

South Woodham Ferrers, Essex

All your farmyard favourites with tractor & trailer rides plus extensive indoor and outdoor play areas. There is also a restaurant, gift shop, milking de...

Abridge, Essex

Since 1987, Mayhem Paintball have been entertaining fun-loving ballers from the London area and beyond - from local celebrities to Arabian royalty. With 16 p...

Colchester, Essex

The Mercury Theatre in Colchester is the most active producing theatre in the East of England, and is a vital centre of excellence in the East's growing crea...

Colchester, Essex

These two classic towers are landmarks of great historical importance to the area. Once standing at either end of a Georgian church erected in 1776, it is on...

Rayleigh, Essex

This indoor soft play area is the perfect day out for those with young children. With plenty to keep juniors entertained and a cafe for adult seating and foo...

Basildon, Essex

This indoor soft play area has something to entertain all young children. From ball pits, to slides, to squishy shapes, fun is never far away from here. Ther...

Stansted, Essex

Experience incorporating Mountfitchet Castle and a Norman Village. Note: As there are numerous animals roaming freely within the grounds, dogs are not ...

Langford, Essex

Museum of Power holds a fascinating collection, all housed in a former Water Pump Station. The museum offers guests a unique experience, where all of the dis...

Maldon, Essex

Northey island is the site of one of the oldest recoded battles in British history: the tenth century battle of Maldon. This historic battle saw the Anglo Sa...

Brentwood, Essex

With a wide range of farm animals to see, and both an indoor soft play area and plenty of outdoor activities to experience including: giant inflatables, ride...

Basildon, Essex

  This indoor play centre has activities and attractions suitable for all young children. With a multi-levelled softplay structure, slides, a football ...

Thurrock, Essex

  This indoor play centre has activities and attractions suitable for all young children. With a multi-levelled softplay structure, slides, themed area...

Colchester, Essex

Built in the sixteenth century, this merchant's house stands tall to this day and is steeped in the history of Colchester's cloth trading industry. Construct...

Harlow, Essex

Located in harlow town park, Pet's corner is home to a variety of local and exotic animals, from rabbits and guinea pigs to llamas and alpacas. his attractio...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Well preserved 12th century Priory housing a museum of the Priory's history and a historic collection of radios. Set in the middle of a lovely park.

Rayleigh, Essex

Rayleigh Karting Stadium is the longest indoor circuit in Essex with racing for between 1 and 100 Drivers. No experience necessary here and it's the nearest ...

Rayleigh, Essex

  Once an early medieval motte and bailey castle, but now an expanse of greenery and wildlife, Rayleigh mount offers vast views of the surrounding area...

Roydon, Essex

Redwings Ada Cole is home to around 70 horses, ponies and donkeys, including handsome Gelderlander Zippy, cheeky donkey Del Boy and lovely little Shetland ma...

Chelmsford, Essex

RHS Garden Hyde Hall is a peaceful public garden in Chelmsford, with stunning panoramic views that never fail to surprise its visitors. The garden is a horti...

Chelmsford, Essex

Situated in the heart of Chelmsford, Riverside Ice and Leisure offers a variety of sports and activites to try. Containing two swimming pools, an ice rink, a...

Rochford, Essex

For all those that love to skate look no further than Rollacity. With a variety of different weekly skate sessions as well as fun events, those of all skatin...

Colchester, Essex

With Roller Skating and Quaser sessions available for both children and adults, this complex provides an adrenaline-fuelled time for all. 

Colchester, Essex

The site of an ancient Roman chariot racing Circus, the Roman Circus Centre provides so much to see and do at this historic site. From a giant model of the a...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

  Think you have what it takes to escape? With a series of spooky escape games to choose from and just sixty minutes on the clock, see if you can figur...

Waltham Abbey, Essex

300 years of secret history, combined with 175 acres of natural parkland, historic buildings and structures.

Purfleet, Essex

Rainham Marshes is a fantastic day out for all the family! You can explore this lovely nature reserve throughout the year, and get close to the amazing wildl...

Chelmsford, Essex

The former Chelmsford waterworks of Sandford Mill hosts a variety of fun educational events throughout the year including science experiments, re-enactments ...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Come close to the wonders of marine life.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

13th/14th century timber-framed moated manor house with Tudor additions.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Displays of archaeology, wildlife and local history.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Originally built in 1912, the Southend Cliff Lift has become an iconic piece of Southend's history. To this day it still provides a relaxing journey up the c...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.3 miles. Since a fire struck in 2005, the end of the pier doesn't have many features but the rai...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Located at the shore end of the Pier, the Museum tells the story of the Southensd Pier from its construction in the ninetheenth century, to the modern day. T...

Colchester, Essex

Utilising speciality low velocity paintballs, Splatmaster paintballs are uniquely designed not to hurt upon impact. This fact however does not take away...

Colchester, Essex

Founded in the eleventh century, St. Botolph's priory was the first Augustinian priory church founded in England. While in ruins, much of the original struct...

Colchester, Essex

The surviving fifteenth century gatehouse is all that remains of the destroyed abbey of St. John the Baptist. The vaulted interior is a fantastic example of ...

Braintree, Essex

Stantons Farm offers educational and fun animal experiences to the public, which includes guided petting farm experiences, animal walks, meet and greet sessi...

Maldon, Essex

Whether you are interested in aviation or not, the Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome offers something for the whole family. With events being run throughout th...

Colchester, Essex

The Beth Chatto Gardens have been transformed throughout the years, from the overgrown wastland it was in 1960 into the beautiful, informal garden it is toda...

Southend-on-Sea, Essex

With a variety of shows and performances presented year-round, the Cliffs Pavilion has something for anyone wanting to appreciate the arts. Please see websit...

Maldon, Essex

The perfect day out for any interested in British military history, the Combined Military Services Museum covers brutal conflicts from the Crimean wars to th...

Chelmsford, Essex

Ready to try and escape? Gather a team, put your minds to the test and see if you can crack the codes of the Black Knight room where you are tasked with brin...

Brentwood, Essex

The Last Survivors is a fantastic, unique and realistic zombie survival experience in Brentwood, Essex. Set deep underground, in a huge Ex Government Nuclear...

Colchester, Essex

Located within the heart of colchester, The Minories Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery and showcases a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. Th...

Dedham, Essex

The Munnings art Museum has become home to  600 different artworks as well as offering a variety of different events and workshops throughout its open p...

Walton on the Naze, Essex

At eight floors tall, the Naze Tower boasts spectacular views of the seaside town of Walton-on-the-Naze and the North Sea. Such views can be well appreciated...

Braintree, Essex

The Original Great Maze changes each year, the maze is made of crops and stands at 8 feet (not open all year round).

Harlow, Essex

Gather a team and see if you have what it takes to escape! Stay calm and work your way through the room, solving tricky clues and finding hints to discover y...

Brentwood, Essex

  This scenic park is home to a variety of wildlife, especially migrating birds and is the perfect place to get away from the stresses of urban life. W...

Tilbury, Essex

The best and largest example of 17th century military engineering in England. Trace the history from Henry VIII up to World War II.

South Woodham Ferrers, Essex

Tropical wings is a wildlife centre with a massive selection of different animals. You can see the keepers feeding the wallabies, lemurs and meerkats, an ind...

Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Situated south of Leigh on Sea train station, this island consists of 640 acres of nature and  huge variety of wildlife, particularly migrating birds. P...

Colchester, Essex

Waldegraves Farm originally started as a pig farm and at one time there were more than 3000 pigs grazing on the land which has become the setting for many fa...

Walton on the Naze, Essex

Take a ride on the Red Baron, be thrilled on the Waltzer, release that road rage on the Dodgems or strike it lucky in the Tenpin Bowling Centre. Walton Pier ...

Basildon, Essex

120 acres of meadow, woodland, ponds and marshland. There is also a motorboat museum, craft shops, children's playground, historic buildings and miniture rai...

Brentwood, Essex

With Lakes, woodland, deer and over 500 acres of open space, Weald country park is the perfect location for enjoying the Great British outdoors. With scenic ...

Chelmsford, Essex

White Elm is a family run garden centre and petting farm. It offers a trim trail, outdoor play area, outdoor tractor track, indoor soft play area and ov...

Chelmsford, Essex

Navigate your way through the MaizeMaze’s intricate pathways, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden surprises along the way. Perfect for all ages, the M...

Colchester, Essex

Step through the Magic Portal into another world for a FULL day of adventure and magical memories with your family, in a beautiful outdoor setting! Families...