Whether you are heading to Essex for your summer staycation or looking for fun days out with your children without travelling too far there is plenty to keep you occupied. Think days at the seaside, enjoying nature at some of our brilliant parks or checking out the special events taking place at the best of Essex's attractions. These suggestions are all great options for sunny or dry days, but if you need inside activity options check out these ideas.
10 Sunny Days Family Days Out In Essex
1. Adventure Island, Southend-on-Sea
Location: Sunken Garden, Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1EEWebsite: adventureisland.co.uk
Why visit: Based on Southend's seafront Adventure Island is Essex's answer to a theme park. Buy a wristband and you can enjoy all day access to over 30 rides from rollercoasters to gentle family attractions. During the summer holidays they are open from 11am until at least 8pm giving you plenty of time to enjoy everything at your own pace. You can even take time out of Adventure Island and head to 3 Shells Lagoon next door for a paddle in the sea water or explore the World's longest pleasure pier (£ book here).
Tip: Buy wristbands for Adventure Island in advance for the best price. If you are visiting with children under 120cm and you only plan to go on rides with them, only the child needs a wristband.
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| Adventure Island is open late in the Summer giving you plenty of time to enjoy at your own pace |
2. Colchester Zoo
Location: Maldon Road, Heckfordbridge, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SLWebsite: colchesterzoologicalsociety.com
Why visit: Home to over 150 species, Colchester Zoo is a brilliant day out for animal lovers of all ages. As well as the animals children will love the four playgrounds, soft play (included in entry price, but needs prebooking) and hands on activities. In the summer holidays there will be extra activities, shows and meet and greets.
Tip: Want to get a different view of the zoo? Visit on 9th or 30th August for their Summer Lates where you can stay at the zoo until 8pm. There will be extra activities taking place and you can see the nocturnal animals start to wake up.
Find out more about what there is to do in this post.
Find out more about what there is to do in this post.
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| Colchester Zoo is a full day of fun |
3. Clacton Sea Front
Location: No.1 North Sea, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, CO15 1QXWebsite: clactonpier.co.uk and clactonpavilion.co.uk
Why visit: Clacton is a fun family seaside resort. As well as the sandy beach there are rides, arcades, bowling, soft play, a splash park and adventure golf. The seafront activities are mostly on the Pier or the Pavilion. Clacton Pier is reported to be Europe's largest pleasure pier. It's free to access and walk to the end of the pier. To enjoy the activities at the best price the Big Day Out Wristband covers: unlimited rides on the pier, a game of adventure golf, the 4D dinosaur experience and 5 game tickets for the arcade (it doesn't include go karts or the soft play).
If you are visiting with younger children The Pavilion Fun Park might be a better option. Wristbands include the rides in the Fun Park and one session in the soft play (it doesn't include the adventure golf, bowling or splash park).
There is a free fireworks display most Saturdays at 9pm in the Summer and Clacton Air Show this year is on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd August.
Tip: if it is your first visit to Clacton it might be worth walking around both areas before you buy tickets to see which rides are of more interest to your family. Advanced tickets are cheaper, but it's more expensive to buy a wristband you wont get your moneys worth from. Generally Clacton Pavilion Fun Park is better suited to younger children and the Pier for older ones.
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| Clacton Pier has a selection of rides all on the actual pier |
4. RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Rettendon
Location: Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 8ETWebsite: rhs.org.uk/hydehall
Why visit: Discover one of the East of England's most stunning gardens, featuring a diverse mix of horticultural styles including the famous Dry Garden (Essex is apparently the driest county in the UK). You can spend the day exploring in the fresh air and children will love Higgledy Hyde the play area.
Tip: Children accompanying a paying adult can visit for free with a Blue Peter Badge, find out how to get a Blue Peter badge here.
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| Explore Higgledy Hyde and a wide range of gardens at Hyde Hall |
5. Mersea Island
Location: Mersea Island is accessed via The Strood, off the B1025 near ColchesterWebsite: visitmerseaisland.co.uk
Why visit: Experience the unique island life with a charm all its own. Mersea Island is famous for its fresh oysters and seafood, beautiful beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy crabbing, watersports or simply soak up the unique Essex coastal charm. Check out Cudmore Grove Country Park which has a play area and is the site of prehistoric finds including hippopotamus bones!
Tip: check tide times before visiting as you can not access the island by road at high tide (or for a period of time either side) if 4.5 metres or higher. Alternatively head to Brightlingsea and get the foot ferry.
6. Hylands Estate, Chelmsford
Location: Hylands Park, London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8WQWebsite: hylandsestate.co.uk
Why visit: Explore 574 acres of parkland and historic gardens surrounding Hylands House. It's a great destination for picnics, leisurely walks and enjoying the great outdoors. Children will love the large castle themed adventure playground and it's also the home to Essex's only Go Ape.
There are lots of events taking place over the summer:
-The Open Days on Sunday 13th July and 10th August are the only public opportunity to see inside the House with a number of activities for children and adults taking place. The open days also include the visit of Essex Foodies Market with a large number of pop up options to eat and drink (but parking can be difficult).
-Adventure Cinema, an outdoor cinema has screenings on 24th to 27th July.
-Country Calling, a Country Music Festival is on 16th and 17th August (expect widespread Estate closures around these dates).
-Wind In The Willows outdoor production on 19th August at 1pm and 4pm.
-BBC Radio 2 in the Park on 5th to 7th September (expect widespread Estate closures around these dates).
Tip: Check the website or their social media before visiting in the summer months as some areas (including the playground) are closed during some festivals and events.
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| Visiting Hylands Estate on one of their open days offers extra activities |
7. Maldon Promenade Park
Location: Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQWebsite: promenade-park
Why visit: This popular waterside park is a family favourite featuring a seasonal splash park (£ book here), sandy play areas, a fantastic new playground and an ornamental lake. Enjoy scenic riverside walks, views of the Blackwater Estuary and fresh seafood, making it a great choice for a family day out in Essex. While you can spend a great day out for very little money, you can add on paid activities including: the splash park, the mini zoo, Pirates Bay Adventure Golf.
They often have events on at the park including the Smoke and Fire Festival on 16th and 17th August.
Tip: Bring a bucket and spade if likely to spend time in the sand pit.
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| Maldon is a great place to explore with playgrounds, sand pits and more |
8. Audley End Miniature Railway, Saffron Walden
Location: Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JBWebsite: audley-end-railway.co.uk
Why visit: A truly magical day out for families set within woodland. During the summer holidays they have a festival event where as well as enjoying the charming miniature train journey you can join in the fairy and elf parade, dance to DJ Melody and enjoy activities (these will vary each day but may include: yoga, story telling, fire breathers and live music). The tickets also include face painting, pedal go karts, the playground, adding to the giant art wall and den building. It's an enchanting Essex attraction for younger visitors.
Tip: The time you book is for your train journey, but you can access the rest of the festival before and after.
Find out more about visiting the Miniature Railway in this review.
Find out more about visiting the Miniature Railway in this review.
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| Audley End Miniature Railway has a festival themed event over the summer |
9. Old MacDonald's Farm & Fun Park, Brentwood
Location: Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AYWebsite: omdfarm.co.uk
Why visit: If you are looking for a day out for little ones this Summer then Old MacDonalds Farm and Fun Park is a great option. As well as lots of different play areas, soft play, animals and some fairground rides this summer they have circus shows and animal encounters.
Tip: Make sure to check out the programme for the times the circus and activities take place so you don't miss them.
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| Play areas galore and animals too and Old MacDonalds Farm in Brentwood, Essex |
10. Weald Country Park, Brentwood
Location: Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5QSWebsite: weald-country-park
Why visit: A popular place to visit for families due to it's deer park, playgrounds, Stick Man sculpture trail and lake. Weald Country Park has plenty of open spaces to explore and tranquil woodlands. It's ideal for family walks, imaginative play and simply enjoying the natural beauty of the Essex countryside.
Tip: You can buy food for the deer and ducks in the cafe
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| Meet characters from the Stickman book in wooden carving form at Weald Country Park |
Great Family Friendly Places To Stay In Essex
If you are looking to stay closer to any of these great places then check out these great family holiday locations (affiliate links):
Parkdean have some great family holiday parks in Walton On The Naze, Clacton On Sea and Mersea Island.
Haven Orchards Holiday Village is in St Osyth and has entertainment and a swimming pool.
Or for an off grid break check out Feather Down Farms location near Colchester.
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