What's On In Essex This Half Term?

Enjoy free theatre with George The Bookworm

Free Events In Essex in May Half Term

There are lots of places to go in Essex this half term if you don't want to spend much. Many of the County's Museums are free and we have great playgrounds, trails, parks and beaches. You can check out some of the best free places to go in Essex in this post.

Free events taking place in half term include:

Chelmsford Museum, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
Chelmsford museum  will have additional activities over half term, but adults need to pay for entry. The museum is set in Oaklands Park so make sure you visit the playgrounds while you are there.

Essex Fire Museum, Grays Fire Station, Hogg Lane, Grays, Essex RM17 5QS
Essex Fire Museum is only open on a few days each year. This half term it is open on Sunday 25th May and Tuesday 27th May. If you would like to visit they ask that you email: museum@essex-fire.gov.uk and let them know how many people will be coming. 

Other Ideas Of Free Days Out In Essex

What about Harlow town Park? There are two playgrounds, plenty of green space for picnics and a free mini farm (Pet’s Corner). Go inside the farm to see animals including fish ad chickens, but if the weather is nice most of the animals including sheep and reindeer are probably in the paddocks outside. If you go through the exit on the far side of the Pets Corner playground it's a short walk to a pond where you might see baby ducklings. There is also Pond Dipping organised by Pets Corner on 27th, 29th and 30th May at 11.30 and 12.30 for £3 per child, get your tickets from the gift shop.

On the other side of Essex Maldon is a nice day out. There is lots of space to play and explore so head to Maldon Promenade Park for parking. The main playground is themed as a large pirate ship, on the other side of the playground there is a smaller pirate ship for younger children in a sandpit. There's also a zip wire. If you walk away from the Promenade Park there is a larger sand pit, another playground and lots of moored boats to see. If you want to buy some food there is a good range of stalls including: local ice cream, fresh doughnuts and seafood at Blackwater Seafood. Chargeable activities include: Maldon Promenade mini Zoo, Pirates Bay Adventure Golf and the splash park which reopens for May half term (book here). 

Maldon has plenty of free things to do on a day out (image of old playground which has been replaced).

Good Weather Activities This Half Term

Audley End House & Gardens - Audley End Road, off London Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF
This English Heritage site has some extra outside activities over half term including: giant jenga, test your skills on the balance board or test your cunning with a classic chess game.

Audley End Miniature Railway - Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JB
There is a Fairy Tale event taking place over half term with craft stations to make a wand and crown (26th to 30th). On the weekends there are character visits appearing at intervals throughout the day: The Gruffalo on 24th/25th and Paddington 30th/1st. Tickets must be prebooked and price covers a train ride, crafts, Elf & Fairy walk, play area and interactive shows. Read why we think it's a great place to visit here.

Barleylands - Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD
The farm is open over half term with a Bubbles and Balloons event including magic shows, a bubble workshop, balloon modelling and dance party. There will also be the normal animals, play areas, displays and softplay.

Cammas Hall Farm - Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT
Dinosaur fans will enjoy a visit to Cammas Hall Farm between 27th and 30th May when they have a Jurassic Trail event. Includes a trailer ride, activities and chance to meet a T-Rex  The first of the season PYO is normally available at the end of May so there may be fruit to pick while you are there. To PYO you have to prebuy a voucher so check the website for fruit availability close to your visit. Cafe, shop and playground will be open and they may have other events to TBC.

Colchester Zoo  - Maldon Road, Colchester CO3 0SL
Half term will see extra activities taking place at the zoo including: meet the Cretaceous Crew, learn about animal artefacts and dance with our Zoo Crew

East Anglian Railway Museum - Chappel Station, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS
EARM has a Transport Extravaganza on 25th and 26th May which will be a fun day out for little (and big) train lovers. Includes up to 200 classic cars, buses, commercials and agricultural vehicles as well as a steam train. If your children love trains check out these ideas for other places to go in Essex.

Epping Ongar Railway Ongar and North Weald
EOR is open on Bank Holiday weekend, the Wednesday and the second weekend. On 24th to 26th Bluey will be making appearances throughout the day.  On the none Bluey days you get child tickets for £1 each to ride the steam and diesel trains (as well as a heritage bus). Check the website for the timetable.

Old MacDonald's Farm - Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AY
From Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June there is a Magical Mayhem event which promises lots of fun and silliness. As well as the characters and shows throughout the day there are animals, rides, a play village, playground, soft play and more. Small saving with advance purchase.

Nuclear Races Wild Forest - Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA
On 27th and 29th May children can take part in Just Get Over It Obstacle Fun Sessions. For children 6 to 10 they will go on the obstacle course and new slip and slide, children 12 to 16 can enjoy an obstacle course and deathslide!

Essex Wildlife Trust have a huge range of activities at their sites across Essex. From pond dipping, to stories and drop off days activities need to be prebooked and are chargeable. Find out what they have happening near you here.

Wyvernwood - St. Osyth Road, Alresford, Colchester CO7 8AP
Wyvernwood is an immersive story led (mostly outdoor) experience that's like a giant playground with storytelling. The theme for half term is The Kingdom Games. 

Indoor Days Out For Rainy Half Term Days

I have a huge post with lots of ideas of where to go when it’s wet including the free museums listed above, softplay, bowling and ceramic cafes, so check this post out for more indoor days out ideas.

A few indoor places with special activities for May Half Term:

Libraries there are events happening at most Essex libraries over half term including crafts and LEGO clubs. Check out the events page to find out and book your nearest session.  

Chelmsford Theatre has a number of child friendly shows over half term including different themed workshops, Wifi Wars, Splat, Nicky Trix Live and Wizard of Oz Panto. 

Colchester Castle. There are lots of activities on over half term at the castle. Some are included in your entrance fee (like colouring), some (eg Knights in Training tour) cost extra.

Riverside Leisure Centre (Chelmsford) are running Intensive Beginners Ice Skating Courses (30 mins session Tuesday to Friday at 9.30am)

It's also worth checking out Nickelodeon Adventure for younger ones or maybe Immersive Gamebox, Indoor Go Karting, Top Golf or rollerskating for slightly older ones.

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