Fun Days Out In Essex
Essex is a wonderful place to visit and the perfect place for a staycation. Home to the TV show The Only Way Is Essex, and also Birds Of A Feather, there are lots of things to do in Essex. No matter if you are looking for a great day out in Essex, or a great night out, Essex with its beautiful coastline is a fun place to visit and stay.
I have put together what I believe to be the best things to do in Essex. From family days out in Essex to places to visit in Essex, I have you covered.
If you have been on a great day out in Essex that you feel should be on my list, then please do get in touch.
Fun Things To Do In Essex
Colchester Zoo
For someone who loves zoos and has visited some of the best zoos in the UK, the best thing to do in Essex is visit Colchester Zoo.
Colchester Zoo is one of the best zoos in the UK and one of the biggest. It is an award-winning zoo covering 60 acres of parkland. It is the perfect day out in Essex for the family where children can see more than 260 different species.
What I love about Colchester Zoo is the elephants and the sea lions, while my daughter loves the giraffes. It is a great day out, and worth every penny.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island is a great place to visit one of the best things to do in Essex for families. Kids will love Adventure Island. It has a fun atmosphere with a lot of adventure rides.
The Essex theme park has been named the fourth friendliest theme park in the world, and best of all, it is free to enter.
There are more than 40 rides at Adventure Island including The Big Wheel. There are rides for adults and children, and there are also arcades for those that feel lucky. It is a great day out in Essex for the whole family
Chelmer Cruises
A fun thing to do in Essex during the summer months is Chelmer Cruises which is also known as Paper Mill Lock Cruises and Victoria Cruises.
I love boats, so for me, it is a wonderful day out, but as mentioned only in the summer. You can go on the Victoria, which is a boat that can hold over 30 passengers. A nice trip on The Victoria offers a two-hour relaxing cruise along the waterway which connects Chelmer to the Blackwater. There are lots of wonderful local landmarks to see and some great bridges.
If you are looking for a shorter trip and not a relaxing two-hour trip on The Victoria, then how about The Caffel? It is a lovely riverboat that can seat 12 passengers.
East Anglian Railway Museum
If you are looking for Railway and Transport Attractions in Essex, then East Anglian Railway Museum is just for you. It is a popular Essex day out for children of all ages.
East Anglian Railway Museum has a wonderful collection of steam engines, wagons, and carriages. There is also a mini rail that you can explore. You can visit the Signal Box and learn how the trains are controlled by signalmen and women.
Throughout the year they hold special events, so, keep an eye on their website for details so you don’t miss out.
It is a great day out, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Essex for children.
Audley End Miniature Railway
Another fun day out in Essex for children is the Audley End Miniature Railway which is located at Audley End Road, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex.
Children can enjoy rides on the stream trains through Audley End Estate Woodland. It is a wonderful day out for children and throughout the year they hold lots of different events.
Sealife Adventure
This is a fun day out, and one that the kids will love. It is a short walk from Adventure Island. Some people have said the Southend Sea Life Adventure is one of the best aquariums in the country. Here you can get close to sharks, penguins, fish, and turtles.
It is a perfect day out in Essex, especially when you are struggling to find something to do when it is raining.
Brentwood Ski Centre
If you are a thrill seeker, or just want to learn how to ski, then a visit to Brentwood Ski Centre is a must. It has become a popular day out in Essex for people of all ages.
As well as skiing, you can also do snowboarding. There are lots of things for people to do of all ages.
Best Places to Visit in Essex
There are lots of places to visit in Essex, so I thought I would put together not only the best things to do in Essex but also the best Essex days out for the whole family.
Colchester
Colchester, which is home to Colchester Garrison, the home to the British Army’s 16th Air Assault Brigade, is the oldest town in the UK.
If you are looking for a great day out in Essex, then Colchester is a perfect choice. There are lots of great things to do and see in Colchester that includes Colchester Castle. The 11th century is the largest in all of Britain.
Colchester Zoo is another great place to visit in Essex. It has been described as one of the best zoos in the UK.
From museums, art galleries, great restaurants, shopping, and great nightlife, Colchester has it all. As well as paid things to do in Colchester, you will also find lots of free things to do.
Southend-on-Sea

One of the best days out in Essex is Southend-on-Sea. I love seaside resorts, and some of my favourite seaside resorts in the UK are Great Yarmouth, Skegness, and Southend-on-Sea.
Southend-on-Sea has become a tourist hotspot for a great family day out in Essex. The heyday for Southend-on-Sea was in the 50s and 60s like most of the seaside resorts in the UK. In the 70s and beyond, seaside resorts in the UK suffered at the hands of cheap holidays abroad. But now, the tide is turning, and more families are turning their backs on going abroad and staying in the UK in places like Southend-on-Sea.
One of the best things about Southend-on-Sea is the pier. It is the longest pleasure pier in the world at 2.16 kilometres.
Secret Nuclear Bunker
If you are looking for places to visit in Essex that are not the normal type of tourist attraction, then how about a Secret Nuclear Bunker?
The Secret Nuclear Bunker is just outside the village of Kelevdon Hatch. In this day and age, it is a good idea to know where it is. It is an underground bunker that was an RAF air defence station, and then a regional government HQ. It can withstand a nuclear blast, which is good to know. After the Cold war, it was decommissioned, and now it is open to the public.
It may not be a perfect family day out in Essex, but it is a great place to visit for those that are interested in military establishments and history.
Maldon
When I visit Essex, I like to visit Maldon. It is a lovely place to visit with so much to do. As someone who loves the water and loves boats, for me it is a great family day out.
The best things to do in Maldon are:
Combined Military Services Museum
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome with Mess Café
Promenade Park
Museum of Power
Maldon Museum
Tollesbury Wick Nature Reserve
Maldon provides a great family day out in Essex. You will find some great places to have something to eat and some great family pubs to have a nice drink.
Clacton-on-Sea
Just like Southend-on-Sea, Clacton-on-Sea is a great day out in Essex. Not only is it a great day out, but it is a great place for a staycation. There are lots of great places to stay including hotels and caravan parks.
Clacton-on-Sea offers everything you could want from a traditional UK seaside town. The perfect time to visit Clacton-on-Sea is in August when they hold an amazing Air Show.
The best things to do in Clacton-on-Sea are:
Hasty’s Adventure Farm
Clacton-on-Sea Beach
Clacton Pier
St. Osyth Beach
The Pavilion
Curve Wake Park
If you are looking for a family day out in Essex and you love the seaside, then visit Clacton-on-Sea.
Harwich
Harwich is an attractive, historic, and unique town steeped in a wealth of maritime history. It has always been an important port in the UK, and even though there has been a decline, it is still important to this day.
Ferries run between Harwich and Hook of Holland in the Netherlands. You can travel on the ferries as a foot passenger or take your car.
The top attractions in Harwich include:
Halfpenny Pier
Beacon Hill Fort
Dovercourt Bay Beach
Harwich Museum
High Lighthouse in Harwich
Harwich Lifeboat Museum
If you are looking for a good family day out in Essex that is not going to result in spending lots of money, then Harwich is a perfect choice.
Mersea Island
If you are looking for places to visit in Essex for the whole family to enjoy, then I would recommend Mersea Island.
Mersea Island, which is the most easterly inhabited island in Britain, is a lovely place to visit for the day. It connects with the mainland of Essex by a road along a causeway.
If you love oysters, then you will love the seafood restaurants. There are so many great places to visit and so many great things to do.
The best things to do on Mersea Island include:
Cudmore Grove Country Park
West Mersea Beach
Mersea Island Museum
Mersea Island Vineyard
Lady Grace Boat Trips
Mersea Island Watersports
When visiting Essex, do pay a visit to Mersea Island.
Waltham Abbey
A great place to visit in Essex is Waltham Abbey. It’s been used since the 600s, which is incredible, with the current Norman architecture dating to 1100.
Waltham Abbey is full of amazing history. One of the most fascinating facts about Waltham Abbey is it is the resting place of King Harold. He was famously killed in the Battle of Hastings which took place in 1066.
Although King Harold is buried at the Abbey, no one is sure exactly where he is buried.
Braintree
Braintree which comprises of four different market towns is a great place to visit in Essex. It is full of life and character and includes National Trust estates.
If you are looking for the perfect family day out in Essex and have children who love trains, or if you have a husband who loves trains then you need to visit the Colne Valley Railway. You will find some amazing diesel and steam locomotives here.
The best things to do in Braintree are:
Great Notley Country Park
Braintree District Museum
Braintree Street Market
Great Bardfield Cottage Museum
Dedham Vale
If you are looking for places to visit in Essex in the summer, then I would recommend Dedham Vale. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty filled with cute cottages, churches, and tearooms.
Dedham Vale which is north of Colchester has inspired writers and artists, and when you visit this magical place, you will understand why.
If rowing is your thing, then you can hire boats and gently row along the River Stour and finish your day at one of the lovely tearooms or restaurants.
Audley End House and Gardens
One of the most popular places to visit in Essex is Audley End House and Gardens. It is an English Heritage site that attracts visitors from all over the country and the world.
The 17th-century country house outside Saffron Walden, Essex is full of history. It is like walking onto a film set of a period drama. The gardens are magnificent as well as the Organic Kitchen Garden which has over 120 varieties of apples, 40 types of pears, 60 kinds of tomatoes plus many more fruits and vegetables.
Essex Police Museum
This is a fun day out in Essex for children and a fascinating one for adults. There are not many police museums around the country, so this is well worth a visit.
When you visit the Essex Police Museum you will see a collection of photographs and objects spanning from 1840 to the present day.
You will be told about the techniques they use to detect crime and will be told stories about some of the criminals they caught. A fun thing to do at Essex Police Museum, especially for the children, is to have fingerprints taken. And if your children get on your nerves then how about putting them in one of the cells and forgetting you brought them along?
One of the interesting things about the Essex Police Museum is learning about the famous murders that have taken place over the past 150 years.
There are lots of places to visit in Essex and lots of things to do. Essex is not just home to the ITV reality show, it is a great place to visit for a day out or a staycation.
The Best Things To Do in Essex
Adventure Island
Brentwood Ski Centre
Chelmer Cruises
Colchester Zoo
East Anglian Railway Museum
Sea Life Adventure
Best Places to Visit in Essex:
Audley End House and Gardens
Braintree
Clacton-on-Sea
Colchester
Dedham Vale
Essex Police Museum
Harwich
Maldon
Mersea Island
Secret Nuclear Bunker
Southend-on-Sea
Waltham Abbey
Essex FAQ
Does Essex have a Zoo?
Yes! Colchester Zoo is based in Essex and is one of the most popular zoos in the country. It is based at Maldon Rd, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL.
Does Essex have a theme park?
Yes! The theme park in Essex is called Adventure Island. It is a popular theme park for all the family.
Is there a railway museum in Essex?
Yes! East Anglian Railway Museum is a great museum to visit for people who are interested in trains. There is also another great place to visit for people interested in trains and that is Audley End Miniature Railway.
Does Essex have a Sealife Adventure attraction?
Yes! There is a Sealife Adventure attraction in Essex that is located at Southend on Sea
Essex, SS1 2ER.
Is there a ski centre in Essex?
Brentwood Ski Centre is a popular attraction in Essex. It is located at Warley Gap, Warley, Brentwood CM13 3DP
Does Essex have a nuclear bunker?
Yes! There is a secret nuclear bunker in Essex which is now open for the public and makes an interesting day out.
Does Essex have any caravan parks or holiday parks?
Yes! There are holiday parks in Essex. They include caravan parks run by Haven and Parkdean.