What's On In Essex This Half Term?

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.

We haven't seen many free events shared yet, but this will be updated and shared to our Facebook page when we see anything. 

Essex Fire Museum, Grays Fire Station, Hogg Lane, Grays, Essex RM17 5QS
Essex Fire Museum is only open on a few days each month. This half term they have Family Fun Open Days on Tuesday 26th and Sunday 31st May (10am to 3.30pm). 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 which is celebrating it's 60th Anniversary). Go inside the farm to see animals including fish, chickens and meerkats, but if the weather is nice most of the animals including sheep 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.

On the other side of Essex, Maldon is a nice day out. There are lots of spaces 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. Next to this area is a new Skatepark and on the far side of the car park there is a BMX track popular with young children on scooters as well as those on bikes. 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 Petting Zoo and Pirates Bay Adventure Golf. The Splash Park normally reopens for May half term, but currently they are experiencing technical difficulties and an opening date hasn't been announced (book here).

Maldon has plenty of free things to do on a day out

Good Weather Activities This Half Term

Audley End House & Gardens - Audley End Road, off London Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4JF
The English Heritage site has some extra outside activities over half term as part of a "Mystery Mission" event. This includes a trail with clues to find and codes to crack. 

Audley End Enchanted Railway - Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JB
Over the Bank Holiday weekend there is a Gruffalo event with a Gruffalo meet and greet, the second weekend there is a Bluey event where there is a meet & greet with (you guessed it) Bluey. It is slightly cheaper on weekdays as there are no extra characters.  The week days are billed as "Fairy and Elf week days" with a craft station to make a wand and stage shows. All week activities include the train ride, exploring the role-play houses and enjoying the adventure playground. You can also prebook punting.  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 soft play.

Call of the Wild Zoo - Wickford Road, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5QZ
On Wednesday 27th May K-Popz Krew are visiting the zoo with performances throughout the day. If your children love K-Pop this will be a fun day to visit, otherwise visit on another day of half term when it will be quieter and they are taking part in Love Your Zoo week with talks, encounters and displays.

Cammas Hall Farm - Needham Green, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7JT
Dinosaur fans will enjoy a visit to Cammas Hall Farm between 26th and 31st 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 may be available so prebook for the Jurassic Trail and check back a day or two before visiting to see if you can prebuy a voucher for so you may be able to book 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.

Museum of Chelmsford, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM2 9AQ
Chelmsford museum have a History Heroes Half Term Adventure running from 26th to 28th May (Tuesday to Thursday) with activities suitable for children 6 to 10 years old. This is a chargeable event, but an accompanying adult can go free (which includes the normally chargeable museum entry). The museum is set in Oaklands Park so make sure you visit the playgrounds while you are there.

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

East Anglian Railway Museum - Chappel Station, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DS
EARM has a Classic Vehicle Show on Monday 25th May which will be a fun day out for little (and big) car and train lovers. Includes up to 180 vehicles on show, unlimited rides on steam and diesel trains, miniature railway rides and vintage bus ride. 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 half term week, although they don't have any special events on. Children are £1 when booked in advance. Check the website for the timetable.

Knights of Royal England Jousting at Hedingham Castle - Sunday 24th and Monday 25th May
Head to Hedingham Castle over the Bank Holiday weekend to explore the castle, experience medieval pursuits and watch knights joust on horseback. The joust is on at set times so make sure you don't miss them. Prebooking recommended.
Takes place at Bayley Street, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DJ

Nuclear Races Wild Forest - Parsonage Farm, Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0LA
On 26th and 28th 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 slip and slide, children 11 to 16 can enjoy an obstacle course and deathslide!

Prittlewell Priory - Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 6NB
On the last weekend of half term (30th and 31st May) they have a wildlife weekend with bird visitors from Barleylands. They describe the event as "a fun family event with bird of prey meet and greets, a flying display, games, crafting, face painting, an activity trail and more". Tickets available here.

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 has just won Trip Advisors Travellers Choice award for the 3rd year running. This great immersive story led (mostly outdoor) experience is 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, Holmes & Watson: The Curious Case of the Masked Magician (6+)  and The Gingerbread Man 60 minute family show with puppetry (3+). 

Colchester Castle. There are lots of activities on over half term at the castle. Some are included in your entrance fee, like the Gallery Games, some eg Discover Romans: Family Tour and Escape Room (for 10 plus on evening of 23rd May) cost extra. With plenty of hands on activities for children throughout the museum it's a fun way to spend an hour or two. 

Get To Know Animals - Forest lodge commercial complex, Epping Rd, Waltham Abbey, Epping CM16 5HW
1hr handling experiences are running from Monday 25th to Friday 29th May at 11am and 2pm. Ticket includes 1 hour group experience, free entry to the small indoor rescue zoo and a free return visit to the zoo.  There are a maximum of 26 places per event. You will get to meet up close and hold around 10 different animals, these might include furries, reptiles, snakes, exotics and invertebrates.

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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