Family days out in Essex | DAYoutWITHtheKIDS.co.uk | things to do for kids

Colchester Zoo

Colchester

Colchester Zoo One of the finest zoos in Europe with over 250 species of animals set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes. Includes the unique chance to help feed the elephants and giraffes yourself!

Sealife Adventure

Southend-on-Sea

Sealife Adventure From sharks to seahorses, starfish to stingrays, it’s all here in a family friendly environment with fascinating ‘Talks’ and presentations by their knowledgeable aquarists throughout the day.

Tropical Wings World of Wildlife

Chelmsford

Tropical Wings World of Wildlife - prides itself on its reputation for providing all weather fun for the whole family, it is set within acres of attractive gardens and features one of the finest tropical butterfly houses in the UK. Throughout the day the Zoo offers a programme of animal encounters, animal feeds and fun activities this along with great competitions to enter ensures there’s something for everyone

Seaquarium at Clacton Pier

Clacton on Sea

Seaquarium at Clacton Pier An informative, educational, fun learning opportunity to appreciate from an up close perspective some of the intriguing creatures surrounding our coastal areas.

Ada Cole Rescue Stables

Nazeing

Ada Cole Rescue Stables Kids can meet more than 50 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules, and learn an important lesson about how we treat our fellow creatures.

Lee Valley Park Farms

Waltham Abbey

Lee Valley Park Farms If you want to get the kids out of the house and are looking for something that is fun, interesting and educational, Lee Valley Park Farms in Waltham Abbey has all of this and more! With lots of different farm animals to meet and others you wouldn't expect to meet - charming meerkats, cheeky marmosets, reptiles and llamas!

Marsh Farm Country Park

Woodham Ferrers

Marsh Farm Country Park With so many different play activities across 20 acres of fun, there’s just so much to do! From the outdoor adventure play area to milking demonstrations or the tractor and trailer ride, there really is something for all the family at Marsh Farm.

Barleylands Farm Park

Billericay

Barleylands Farm Park A farm park, craft village and bird of prey centre. We have two indoor play areas and two outdoor adventure playgrounds, one with a giant bouncy pillow and zip wire.

Boydells Dairy Farm

Braintree

Boydells Dairy Farm Provides a fun-packed and educational visit for children and adults alike. Try your hand at milking a cow or sheep, feeding hens, riding a donkey cart or outstaring a llama!

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

Brentwood

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary is a child friendly sanctuary provides a safe haven to animals that need it. They include horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, chinchillas and Max the bull, who loves nothing more than being tickled between his horns!

Harlow Town Park

Harlow

Harlow Town Park A grand adventure playground plus large paddling pool (open in the summer) and a Pets’ Corner home to a variety of animals including fish, sheep, llamas and reindeer.

Clacton Zoo

Clacton on Sea

Clacton Zoo - a children's petting zoo with animals you can feed, stroke and interact with. We have many different friendly animals that the children can learn about including alpacas, goats, micro pigs and various birds. 80 metres from Clacton sea front and 200 metres from Clacton pier.

Colchester Castle Museum

Colchester

Colchester Castle Museum Lots of hands-on exhibits of appeal to children and adults alike. Displays on castle prisons, medieval and norman colchester - lots going on.

The House on the Hill Toy Museum

Stansted Mountfitchet

The House on the Hill Toy Museum This is the largest privately-owned toy museum in Europe with over 80,000 individual items of mixed antiquity on display, based on the collection of one man who started in 1946 by buying a Hornby train set with his pocket money.

Hollytrees Museum

Colchester

Hollytrees Museum Follow the story around this beautiful Georgian building taking in domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Meet many different characters from the past and experience Colchester's fascinating history.

Natural History Museum Colchester

Colchester

Natural History Museum Colchester A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change in a family friendly environment full of hands on activities.

Saffron Walden Museum

Saffron Walden

Saffron Walden Museum We are a family-friendly museum where you can have fun exploring ancient history, natural history, local history and world cultures. We have an archaeological sandpit, where you can come and excavate, animals to stroke, microscopes to peep through, fossils, quizzes and much, much more.

Battlesbridge Antiques Centre

Battlebridge

Battlesbridge Antiques Centre Over 80 dealers housed in a variety of old buildings and courtyards, and a vintage motorcycle museum. Great for quieter kids who'll just love all the mysterious stuff!

The Cater Museum

Billericay

The Cater Museum A series of accurately set up Victorian rooms which is great to help kids studying the period visualise it better. They also host displays on local history and have a World War II exhibition room and Victorian garden.

Castle Point Transport Museum

Canvey Island

Castle Point Transport Museum Home to over thirty old and rare buses and coaches alongside vintage commercials, military and emergency vehicles. Great for kids into all things 'vroom'!

Chelmsford Museum

Chelmsford

Chelmsford Museum Set in a park with an adventure play area, the museum offers a nice variety of exhibits, from a fine collection of fossils, a living beehive and British wildlife galleries, to the history of the Essex Regiment and the Essex Yeomanry.

North Weald Airfield and Museum

North Weald

North Weald Airfield and Museum Still a very active airfield and on most summer weekends visitors can see some of the veteran and classic aircraft based on the airfield in action. The museum focuses on local service personnel and civilian histories.

The Museum of Harlow

Harlow

The Museum of Harlow Uses objects, text and pictures to tell the story of the area now known as Harlow from ancient times to the present day. Free quizzes and trails for kids available.

Thurrock Museum

Grays

Thurrock Museum Here you can explore the history of Thurrock through 40 permanent display cases and 20 temporary display cases, containing over 1,500 objects, interpreting 250,000 years of Thurrock's past.

Central Museum

Southend on Sea

Central Museum Houses the collections of local and natural history and archaeology, and tells the story of Southend’s growth as a major seaside destination.

Colchester Leisure World

Colchester

Colchester Leisure World 16 family fun features including two thrilling flumes, river rapids, crazy river, waves, geysers, still more slides and family spa pools! Also has standard swimming facilities.

Belhus Park Leisure Centre

South Ockendon

Belhus Park Leisure Centre There is a 25m swimming pool with water slide, as well as a teaching pool to cater for the extensive Aquatics swimming lesson programme. Also a sports hall, aerobics, mini gymnastics, sunbed, childminding facility and 11 bay floodlit golf driving range.

Blackwater Leisure Centre

Maldon

Blackwater Leisure Centre - boasts a superb leisure pool, incorporating the challenging Jungle River ride, a fun flume ride, lazy river ride, a safe swimming area for children and novelty bubble pool. We also have a separate Baby Pool for our youngest visitors, plus a 4 lane, 25 meter pool for all fitness and fun swimming.

Dagenham Swimming Pool

Dagenham

Dagenham Swimming Pool Swimming facility with 1m springboard.

Hornchurch Sports Centre

Hornchurch

Hornchurch Sports Centre 1, 3 and 5 metre diving boards. The site also offers fun swims, swimming lessons, diving and other exciting activities in its two pools, as well as other sporting opportunities.

Fullwell Cross Swimming Pool

Ilford

Fullwell Cross Swimming Pool 1m and 3m springboards and 5m platform (limited public access, see Opening Times). Swimming pool and other facilities. Handily near a library for some quiet time afterwards.

Brightlingsea Open Air Pool

Colchester

Brightlingsea Open Air Pool Two pools, one a 15m paddling pool, and the second a 50m main pool. The season runs from the end of May through to the beginning of September.

Woodup Pool

Maldon

Woodup Pool A very basic salt water bathing pool with an area of sand at one end. Open May to September. It should be noted they do not have lifeguards. Currently undergoing changes, call before going.

Braintree Swimming Centre

Braintree

Braintree Swimming Centre Facility includes a great family fun orientated pool, with slide and interactive equipment. Children must be under 8 years to use this pool and acompanied by a parent or an adult.

Childsplay Adventureland

Colchester

Childsplay Adventureland For the older children there are three ball ponds with slides, a large spooky area fitted with special effects, aerial glide, spiders webs, giant rapids and a cascading ball foundation for them to explore.

Crazy Kids Adventure Play

Braintree

Crazy Kids Adventure Play A massive, air conditioned, modern warehouse fitted out for high adventure and excitement on the multi-level activity areas in a controlled environment. This is children's playtime entertainment at it's very best and safest.

Go Bananas Indoor Soft Play Centre

Colchester

Go Bananas Indoor Soft Play Centre This is the ultimate in climbing frames with over 5000 sq ft on three levels. Children will be entertained for hours as they bounce on the Aztec Ruins; scream in the spook rooms with strobes, smoke machines and skeleton squeeze rollers.

Kids Kingdom

Southend On Sea

Kids Kingdom Kids Kingdom has approximately 8,000 square feet of play including a 14 foot vertical drop slide and their own 14 foot JELLY MOUNTAIN as well as obstacle course climbs and runs.

Gymboree

Colchester

Gymboree Gymboree Play & Music offers interactive classes for babies and children from newborn to under 5. Our classes feature sensory stimulation, exploration and learning through play, music and movement.

Play Rascals

Clacton On Sea

Play Rascals Indoor adventure play with a dedicated section for the under 3's, including ball pool, raised tunnel and slide and an array of toys. For the older children a fascinating labyrinth of nets, climbing walls and slides. Also outdoor play in summer.

Kidspace Romford

Romford

Kidspace Romford is a magical, award-winning indoor adventure park. There's something for everyone, including adults! Kidspace is different. And proud of it. We have taken the very best elements of activities from the top leisure park operators in Europe and developed a new breed of centre.

Small Monsters

Stanford-le-Hope

Small Monsters is an indoor adventure play area for the under five's and their parents.

Creepy Crawlies Play Centre

Chelmsford

Creepy Crawlies Play Centre We are a fun and exciting place for children under 8 to come and use up all their energy. We have a suitable soft play area for toddlers all on one level. Another softplay section on two levels for toddlers and youngters. Also a baby section with mats, baby gyms and toys.

Tumbletown Children's Indoor Play Centre

Basildon

Tumbletown Children's Indoor Play Centre is a children's indoor soft play centre for babies to big kids packed full of fun features to entertain and exhaust!

Monkey Puzzle at Madison Heights

Maldon

Monkey Puzzle at Madison Heights There is an amazing giant play frame that is over 6 meters high with a series of exciting climbing structures and educational toys and packed with slides, fun areas to explore and loads more!

Wild n Wacky

Harlow

Wild n Wacky A state of the art, jungle-themed indoor play and party centre for 0 to 12 year olds offering play, parties, private hire and freshly prepared food and beverages. Facilities include: state of the art three-tier play frame, 160 seater air conditioned cafe, free wifi internet access, leather sofas and free customer parking.

Coco Nuts Play Ltd

Dunmow

Coco Nuts Play Ltd Multi tiered frame indoor play facility with dedicated toddler areas and varying bonus features! Outside play area with bouncy castle open May to September. Parties hosted in animal themed rooms.

Tumble Downs

Saffron Walden

Tumble Downs Children and adults will love this new centre - there is lots to keep the children amused whilst the parents relax in the Tumble Downs cafe area with comfortable sofas. One of the many fun family places to visit if you're looking for things to do with children in Essex

Monkey Bizzness

Hockley

Monkey Bizzness Traverse climbing wall, 4 Lane waterfall Astra slide, Canon soft ball shootout guns, 5-a-side football and basketball court, separate under-5's area with mini cars, ball juggler, educational key panels etc

Rayleigh Megazone

Rayleigh

Rayleigh Megazone Home of Megazone Laser Tag, MegaPlay Soft Play, Music Rooms, Theatre and S-Kape Youth Centre.

Wam Bam Boomerang

Burnham On Crouch

Wam Bam Boomerang Indoor play and party centre, offering dedicated toddler area and much excitement and craziness for the bigger ones.

Cheeky Monkeez

South Woodham Ferrers

Cheeky Monkeez Children's soft play centre for children aged 0-6 years with a separate baby area for non- walkers. Strong emphasis on imaginative play. Cafe area for 40. Emma and Martin took over on July 2012 and have extensively refurbished the venuw, please come and see the changes :)

Junglee Fun Hornchurch

Hornchurch

Junglee Fun Hornchurch Designed for the under 7s and run by a former Ofsted inspector, this colourful fully equipped purpose built soft play area is a great place for children to interact and burn off their excess energy.

Jungle Adventure

Colchester

Jungle Adventure Huge jungle themed indoor adventure play offering terrific features like aerial glides, ball pools it rains in, cannons, trampolines, assault course and more. In the toddler sensory zone everything apparently comes to life, including a talking tree!

The Firehouse Playcentre

Waltham Abbey

The Firehouse Playcentre A fantastic fire station themed soft play facility across three levels of fun, with separate toddler adventure area, inflatable slides and more!

Kids R Us

South Ockendon

Kids R Us Offering 4 separate age zoned areas with bright, clean and suitable equipment including slides, balls, climbing walls and all the other classic to entertain and exhaust them.

The Jolly Jungle

Dagenham

The Jolly Jungle Has claims on the highest slide in the area! Adventure soft play for up to 148cm tall, with slides and climbs to tunnels and balls, soft obstacles, scramble nets and plenty more besides.

Wacky Warehouse Queen B

Chelmsford

Wacky Warehouse Queen B offer a huge multi level multi color adventure play frame which features all the classic fun features and padded equipment one expects, plus dedicated toddler area.

Stay and Play

Laindon

Stay and Play is a ball pool and adventure play centre with sliding, climbing, sports court and adventure maze, plus dedicated toddler area.

Space Kingdom

Clacton On Sea

Space Kingdom Top notch space themed adventure facility with multi level play frame, go karts, sports arena, drop and spiral slides, Toddlers' Milky Way Centre and very much more! Awesome decor too.

Audley End House and Park

Saffron Walden

Audley End House and Park Audley End is a Jacobean house set in a serpentine park. The park was designed by Lancelot Brown in 1763 It contains a circular temple and a bridge over the River Cam - loads of events go on through the summer - check website for details

Mountfitchet Castle

Stansted Mountfitchet

Mountfitchet Castle The only motte and bailey castle in the world that has been faithfully reconstructed on its original site. A unique time capsule that is steeped in history, enabling the visitor to travel back to Norman England and experience life as it was in 1066.

Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker

Kelvedon Hatch

Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker Come and witness the three lives of the bunker starting with its role as an RAF ROTOR Station, then a brief period as a civil defence centre through to its most recent life as a Regional Government HQ. Designed for up to 600 military and civilian personnel, possibly even the Prime Minister!

The Cressing Temple Barns

Braintree

The Cressing Temple Barns This year we have a calendar packed with great events to suit everyone. We have jousting knights, history brought alive with re-enactors from down the ages. Smell the cordite with Sharpe's Rifles and clash swords with the Vikings. Be transported to Tudor times with sound and taste or be enthralled by the Master of the Hospitallers.

Layer Marney Tower

Colchester

Layer Marney Tower A great place to visit whether you are planning to exhaust the children in the play area or enjoy the tranquility of the garden. The view from the roof shows the church, outbuildings, play area, gardens, estate and wildlife walk.

Southend Planetarium

Southend

Southend Planetarium Presents a range of talks about astronomy and the night sky. All presentations are given live, giving plenty of opportunity for any questions you may wish to ask, and are generally suitable for ages 7 to adult.

Valentines Mansion and Gardens

Ilford

Valentines Mansion and Gardens Country house and gardens with recreated period rooms including Victorian kitchen and a dedicated Family Room. Enjoy the house and gardens through special trails and borrow a free backpack to explore the mansion and outdoors. Special events run throughout the year with a FREE family Sunday once a month.

Bourne Mill

Colchester

Bourne Mill Set in tranquil grounds next to a bubbling stream this picturesque mill still has a rare working waterwheel. It's a short stop, but unusual and educational, and kids with a sketchpad or camera will certainly get something from it.

Coggeshall Grange Barn

Coggeshall

Coggeshall Grange Barn 13th-century monastic barn. One of Europe's oldest timber-framed buildings, it has a cathedral-like interior and is linked to a local Cistercian abbey. Inside the barn hosts an exhibition of local woodcarving, tools and a collection of agricultural carts.

Paycockes

Coggeshall

Paycockes Marvel at the stunning woodcarving and elaborate panelling inside this merchant's house. Outside, there is a beautiful and tranquil cottage garden.

Rayleigh Mount

Rayleigh

Rayleigh Mount An early medieval motte and bailey castle site, which offers sweeping views across the Crouch Valley. Make the most of your day by visiting the adjacent windmill to explore historical exhibitions.

Hedingham Castle

Castle Hedingham

Hedingham Castle There are four magnificent floors to explore and the grounds are well worth a wander through too! Pick an event day and perhaps enjoy one of their exciting Jousting Tournaments!

Hadleigh Castle

Hadleigh

Hadleigh Castle Striking castle remains great for photos and sketches, overlooking some great play and picnic territory. Be warned though it's a little isolated, and there are no toilets or facilities nearby.

Royal Gunpowder Mills Secret Island

Waltham Abbey

Royal Gunpowder Mills Secret Island An exciting visitor attraction for all the family. Meet Professor Nitrate in his Mad Lab for fun-filled experiments and crazy science shows, head to the Test Range to fire rockets and try air-soft shooting or take a ride on the Military Truck to see secret parts of the site!

Rayleigh Windmill

Rayleigh

Rayleigh Windmill Try a charming little stop at an award-winning tourist and educational attraction which contains an accredited museum, an exhibition space and information about Rayleigh Mount.

Coalhouse Fort

East Tilbury

Coalhouse Fort A visit to the fort provides an insight into the history of how it was used and how it has evolved over the years in the defense of the approaches to London.

Tilbury Fort

Tilbury

Tilbury Fort Spend a great family day out here as you explore the magazine houses used to store vast quantities of gunpowder or enter the bastion magazine passages and feel what it was like for the soldiers who lived here.

Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre

Brentwood

Brentwood Park Ski and Snowboard Centre Overlooking 54 acres of beautiful scenic woodland, the Centre offers an exciting variety of dry skiing and snowboarding to suit all ability levels from age 4. They also incorporate other exciting facilities such as a go-Karting track, golf driving range.

Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre

Chelmsford

Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre The latest in sound and lighting effects combine with a lively disco atmosphere in Riverside's ice rink to get some great family skating done.

Sk8rs at Madison Heights

Maldon

Sk8rs at Madison Heights Family friendly roller rink and skate hire, an excellent fun and healthy activity for the whole family. Other activities available on site.

Rollacity

Rochford

Rollacity offers a classic, healthy family zip about on quad or inline skates. Great for balance and skill building, good exercise, plus they offer varying session types with differing music and games.

Rollerworld

Colchester

Rollerworld Classic family friendly roller skating plus laser tag, the no contact combat game played with infra red.

Stubbers Adventure Centre

Upminster

Stubbers Adventure Centre Family adventure starts here, from individual activities to whole days and courses, with a fantastic range including motor sports, jet ski, laser tag and bushcraft. New for 2012: family laser tag!

Flatford Boat Hire

Flatford

Flatford Boat Hire Row a boat along the river in beautiful Constable country

Legacy XS Centre

Benfleet

Legacy XS Centre A 4,500 sq ft indoor skate park and 5,500 sq ft outdoor park containing a 6ft volcano, 90° and 45° hips, 8ft quarter-pipe, vert wall and more!

Laser Mayhem

Abridge

Laser Mayhem Laser combat games are great fun and ideal for active kids between the ages of 8 and 12. All the fun of paintball without the mess! Plus they have an indoor arena incase of bad weather.

Off Road Action Park

Wickford

Off Road Action Park A unique outdoors activity centre providing a wide range of activities including a high ropes course, quad biking, archery, army assault course and many more for the whole family to enjoy. Now with new discounted wristbands!

Southend Marine Activities Centre

Southend On Sea

Southend Marine Activities Centre Nationally recognised watersports courses, including introductory courses in Sailing, Canoeing, Windsurfing, Powerboat Driving and Jetskiing. They also offer a wide range of beach based activities.

Push Kiting

Clacton on Sea

Push Kiting Kite boarding, kite buggying, kite flying and kitesurfing lessons can be taken up by all ages from 8-80yrs, so if you're interested in a great outdoor sport then come and have a go.

Grangewater Outdoor Education Centre

South Ockendon

Grangewater Outdoor Education Centre From granny to youngster, at Grangewaters they offer tailor-made sessions just for your family. Wet or dry or a combination of both just let them know what kind of activities you would like to try and they will put them together for you. It certainly beats shopping!

Basildon Bowl and Quasar

Basildon

Basildon Bowl and Quasar 20 modern tenpin bowling lanes, fully sanctioned by the BTBA and a Quasar Elite Arena, all with a great family atmosphere.

Walton Pier Bowl

Walton on the Naze

Walton Pier Bowl Set beside the pier's funfair and amusements, this family friendly bowling centre is a refreshing break out of the sun and a great excuse for a few games!

Rollerbowl

Romford

Rollerbowl With 34 lanes they are one of the biggest centres in the country; add that to large Arcade area with the newest games, fruit machines and 9 brand new pool tables.

Tenpin Chelmsford

Chelmsford

Tenpin Chelmsford is a bowling centre located in Widford Industrial Estate. We have 36 modern fully computerised lanes, 6 American Pool tables, 1 English pool table, Amusement Arcades all catered towards families and kids. There is also the Beach Road Cafe Bar for some delicious meal and snack options!

Tenpin Colchester

Colchester

Tenpin Colchester is a bowling centre located in Cowdray avenue, Colchester. We have 24 modern fully computerised lanes, 2 American Pool tables, 2 English pool tables, Amusement Arcades all catered towards families and kids. There is also the Beach Road Cafe Bar for some delicious meal and snack options!

AMF Hollywood Bowl Basildon

Basildon

AMF Hollywood Bowl Basildon Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!

CJs Bowling

Hockley

CJs Bowling 12 tenpin bowling lanes with free entry kiddie soft play area also on site. Cafe plus pro shop.

Madison Lanes

Maldon

Madison Lanes Tenpin bowling in their Air Conditioned environment with 22 fully computerised Tenpin bowling lanes, in two fun areas, to ensure you have the time of your life.

Namco Funscape Braintree

Braintree

Namco Funscape Braintree Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!

Namco Funscape Dagenham

Dagenham

Namco Funscape Dagenham Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!

Namco Funscape Romford

Romford

Namco Funscape Romford Kids love bowling, and if they are under 6 they can use a ramp and gutter guards. Great family fun!

Broadway Superbowl

Leigh on Sea

Broadway Superbowl 10 lane family friendly tenpin bowling centre with ramps and gutter guards to give them a sporting chance!

1st Bowl Billericay

Billericay

1st Bowl Billericay Classic family friendly tenpin bowling offering 14 fully automated lanes plus pool and amusements.

Lakeside Karting

West Thurrock

Lakeside Karting Passengers can be taken as young as two, and kids can drive from as young as eight. Karting is a thrilling activity for kids, especially here where you can take tiny passengers.

Brentwood Karting

Brentwood

Brentwood Karting This is an outdoor circuit, 825m in length, with plenty of options for the younger karter from Bambino School to Junior Raceway.

Rayleigh Indoor Karting Stadium

Rayleigh

Rayleigh Indoor Karting Stadium Suitable from age 10, the Arrive and Drive sessions provide a great introduction to karting and a chance to compete with the whole family.

Colne Valley Railway

Castle Hedingham

Colne Valley Railway Sample the atmosphere and take a ride on an award winning period country railway. A pretty line, relocated station buildings, signal boxes and bridges all lovingly restored and rebuilt.

Audley End Minature Railway

Saffron Walden

Audley End Minature Railway A delightful 1.5 mile ride on Lord Braybrooke's private 10 and a quarter inch gauge railway through Estate woodland. The children all enjoy looking out for the teddies that live in the woods!

East Anglian Railway Museum

Colchester

East Anglian Railway Museum Join us for a fun day at the Museum. Thomas the Tank Engine and some of his friends including the Fat Controller visit the site at Easter, August Bank Holiday and most weekends during December. Have rides on our Mini Rail during the school holidays. Check for details on our website.

Chelmer Cruises

Chelmsford

Chelmer Cruises Take a leisurely hour long cruise on Caffel, or hire a row boat or open canoe and explore the canal yourselves! Public tours and private hire.

Epping Ongar Railway

Epping

Epping Ongar Railway The longest heritage railway in Essex, and closest to London: running mainline steam and diesel trains and a heritage bus service to Epping Underground station. Step back in time and enjoy the romance of travel with our great value ticket, offering three heritage transport experiences.

Barnards Miniature Railway

West Horndon

Barnards Miniature Railway - is a miniature railway that runs steam trains and diesel trains through the Essex countryside and woodlands. It has a picnic area and places for the kids to run round.

Castle Park and Gardens

Colchester

Castle Park and Gardens Features include a children's play area, crazy golf and putting green, children's boating lake, cricket ground, traditional cafe, riverside walks, and Hollytrees Museum.

RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve

Stanstead Abbotts

RSPB Rye Meads Nature Reserve A fantastic day out for all the family! Come and explore this lovely nature reserve, just 8 miles north of the M25/J25. Get close to fantastic wildlife, borrow children's explorer backpacks or bird bingo sheets, or come to one of our fabulous family events.

Waltham Abbey Gardens

Waltham Abbey

Waltham Abbey Gardens Wander around the remains of what was once one of the largest Augustinian Abbeys in the country. Discover this truly magical heritage site where dragonflies flock!

Promenade Park

Maldon

Promenade Park Formal gardens, splash park, adventure playground, sandy play area for children, picnic, play and recreation areas, maze, tennis courts, shops and cafes, a large model boating lake, skateboard park and much, much more...

Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park

Braintree

Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park A whole day's worth, including a sensory trail, endless play equipment suitable for multiple age groups, cycle hire centre, fishing, visitor centre and bistro, sports and educational facilities, plus an extensive events programme.

Hatfield Forest

Bishop Stortford

Hatfield Forest Extraordinary woodland involving trees of up to 1200 years old. Great for outdoor play, hiking and picnicking. Please note the adjacent car park has seasonally limited opening.

Cudmore Grove Country Park

East Mersea

Cudmore Grove Country Park Located at the eastern end of Mersea Island, the park includes a sandy beach backed by a large expanse of open grassland, perfect for summer games, picnics and taking in the views.

High Woods Country Park

Colchester

High Woods Country Park Had three superb adventure play areas and also includes woodland, open spaces (ideal for picnics) a lake and wildflower meadows.

Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve

Colchester

Abberton Reservoir Nature Reserve Great for rambling, bird watching and nature photography; there's also a visitor centre. In the spring there is the unusual sight of Cormorants nesting in trees, one of the few places in Britain where they do this

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve

Fingringhoe

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve Set in a spectacular position overlooking the Colne Estuary the visitor centre provides stunning views even on the dullest days It offers the visitor real peace and quiet. Out on the reserve you will find a picnic area, nature trails and bird hides.

Gosfield Lake Resort

Halstead

Gosfield Lake Resort The activities on site are wide-ranging from the gentle relaxation of Fishing, to the excitement of Water Skiing together with a variety of other leisure activities all catered for at one location. A pleasant safe environment for family fun and relaxation.

Grays Beach Riverside Park

Grays

Grays Beach Riverside Park Great play equipment like their giant sand pit, adventure trail, aerial slide and the famous Grays Beach play galleon are open all year round and during the summer months there's a whole treasure trove of activities, competitions and special events.

Admirals Park

Chelmsford

Admirals Park A wide range of facilities; football and cricket pitches, pitch and putt golf, bowling green, tennis courts, angling, canoeing and play areas offer recreational opportunities.

Baddow Hall Park

Chelmsford

Baddow Hall Park Popular with families and dog walkers this area offers plenty of open space for games and a great children's adventure play area.

Bedfords Park Visitor Centre

Havering atte Bower

Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Offers visitors a really warm welcome and the opportunity to find out about the wildlife within the 215 acre park, which includes many valuable species rich habitats - so take your magnifying glass and sketchbook or camera for the kids to identify mini beasts!

Chelmer Park

Chelmsford

Chelmer Park An adventure play area, outdoor gym equipment, football pitches, netball and tennis courts, plus oodles of green open space to play and picnic in so take your frisbees, bats and balls!

Brook End Gardens

Chelmsford

Brook End Gardens Children's play area, formal gardens and recreational gardens. Not huge, not fancy, but just the thing for a couple of hours on a sunny afternoon. Take a ball!

The Gardens of Easton Lodge

Little Easton

The Gardens of Easton Lodge Plenty of beautifully tended green space plus simple but fun wildlife activities for younger visitors, such as Scavenger Hunts for which they are rewarded with stickers; also craft activities.

Gloucester Park

Basildon

Gloucester Park Plenty of green space for an active family day, with facilities for tennis, netball, football and cricket, plus the sports village attached if the weather misbehaves.

Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens

Braintree

Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens 5 acres of formal public gardens plus tennis courts and a pretty good children's play area. To make the most of the trip take bats (or rackets!) and balls, sketchpad and camera.

King Georges Playing Fields

Brentwood

King Georges Playing Fields Features a unique garden for the blind with many flowering and non-flowering plants which appeal to senses other than sight. They also offer crazy golf, a skatepark, children's adventure play area and paddling pools.

Thorndon Country Park

Brentwood

Thorndon Country Park This beautiful all access country park contains a diverse range of habitats and is managed both for people and for its precious wildlife. Get out your bug and bird books, binoculars and sketchbook and have a great old fashioned family nature walk!

Weald Country Park

Brentwood

Weald Country Park 500 acres of glorious parkland that's over 700 years old! Ranger led activities for children vary from investigating flowers and insects to kite making and Halloween walks.

Hylands House and Park

Chelmsford

Hylands House and Park 574 acres of parkland, woodland and lakes surround this sumptuously ornate building, both of which are a delight to explore. Their adventure playground is extensive and has a special focus on disability friendly equipment.

Epping Forest and Visitor Centre

Epping

Epping Forest and Visitor Centre As well as being a popular area for recreation and enjoyment it is also of national and international conservation importance with two thirds of it being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

The Gibberd Garden

Harlow

The Gibberd Garden Younger children will adore spotting all the little features and hidden sculptures throughout the gardens, and they'll all love the children's moated castle with drawbridge!

Parndon Wood Nature Reserve

Harlow

Parndon Wood Nature Reserve A haven for flora, fungi, birds, minibeasts, small mammals and deer, waiting for you to explore and discover. During school holidays activity sessions are run for children.

Hockley Woods

Hockley

Hockley Woods No loos, no shops, no playground - just a tremendous amount of ancient trees, stunning wild flowers and local wildlife for an old fashioned family ramble. Way marked trails.

Abbey Fields Play Park

Colchester

Abbey Fields Play Park Fenced in playpark with plenty of climbing frames, slides and classic features to entertain and exhaust the kids.

Thames Chase Visitor Centre

Upminster

Thames Chase Visitor Centre Set in a vast and unique community space, the visitor centre at it's heart offers three children's play areas, family rambles, plus a great range of events, workshops and other entertainments.

Leigh on Sea Beach

Leigh on Sea

Leigh on Sea Beach When the tide comes in it is excellent for swimming, windsurfing and sailing, but has no lifeguard cover at any time. Next to a town so all facilities nearby. Voted in the Top 100 British Beaches - lovely sandy beach which stretches for 7 miles from Leigh to Shoeburyness

Frinton on Sea Beach

Tendring

Frinton on Sea Beach Good swimming with some lifeguard cover, nice sand and excellent fossil hunting territory close by. Deliberately traditional, no arcades, etc.

Blake House Craft Centre

Braintree

Blake House Craft Centre Challenge your friends to a round of crazy golf on the 9 hole minigolf course and then test your wits against 'The Original Great Maze' challenge! Plus browse their great range of specialist arts and crafts shops.

Ceramics on the Hop

Writtle

Ceramics on the Hop is a ceramic art studio based in the heart of Writtle, just South West of Chelmsford. Not only is ceramic painting fun as an art based activity it can also be used as a tool for self- expression, encouraging social interaction and communication.

Made by You Pottery Painting Studio

Leigh On Sea

Made by You Pottery Painting Studio is a Pottery Painting and Craft Studio, where people of all ages and all abilities can paint, create and have fun!

Adventure Island

Southend on Sea

Adventure Island Situated on Southend Seafront on both sides of the world famous pier, the park boasts over 40 rides and attractions!

Walton Pier

Walton on the Naze

Walton Pier Take a ride on the Red Baron, be thrilled on the Waltzer, ride into the sunset on the Gallopers, release that road rage on the Dodgems or play some classic tenpin bowling: or all of it!

Mistley Place Park

Manningtree

Mistley Place Park Animal sanctuary and tea rooms. An educational day out where you can feed the animals and teach the kids something important.

Zorbit

Waltham Cross

Zorbit Recommended 8yrs plus, Zorbiting is a safe exciting high and a really unique experience.

West Park Pitch Putt and Crazy Golf

Chelmsford

West Park Pitch Putt and Crazy Golf Established 18 hole pitch and putt course, with a 9 hole crazy golf course, cafeteria, equipment for hire and a large car park.

Gnome Magic

Colchester

Gnome Magic Visit the enchanted Gnome woodland, explore mysterious and delightful gardens and finish off with a cup of tea and cake while painting your own gnome as a keepsake.

A12 Entertainment Centre

Witham

A12 Entertainment Centre Is an indoor Entertainment Centre that incorporates Petrol go karts and the second largest Quasar Elite arena in the world. Also: a coin operated bumper car arena; a play barn for under 6’s; a soft play area for under 2’s; licensed lounge bar and cafe

Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf

Southend On Sea

Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf 18 hole crazy golf course with fun features and amusing challenges for the whole family to play together.

Clacton Pier

Clacton on Sea

Clacton Pier Experience 360 Meters of All Weather all year fun and Rides including The new Lanes Tenpin Bowling. From Tiny Tot Rides to The return of The Stella Rollercoaster Families will have hours of fun and memories.

Clacton Pavilion

Clacton on Sea

Clacton Pavilion Get your thrills in the Pavilion Fun Park which includes Rides and adventure for all ages, a 5D Cinema to send your senses wild, Adventure Golf, Tenpin Bowling and Arcade!

Colmar Farm Riding School

South Weald

Colmar Farm Riding School BHS approved all weather facility offering lessons, plus scenic hacks in South Weald Park. Educational facility also offering horse care and qualifications.

Tiptree Equestrian Centre

Tiptree

Tiptree Equestrian Centre BHS approved all weather facility offering lessons for tots upwards and scenic hacks for over 14s, plus recognised Pony Club.

Aldborough Hall Equestrian Centre

Ilford

Aldborough Hall Equestrian Centre BHS approved all weather facility offering lessons from 4 years, menage, Cross Country Fences and Show Jumps. No hacking available.