7 Of The Best Parks & Attractions In Essex That You Need To Visit With Your Family
If you’ve never had a family day out in Essex before, you’re in for a treat. The county is full of parks and attractions – as well as playgrounds where kids can run, climb, jump and swing until it’s time to go home. The best news? Many of these outings (particularly children’s play areas) are free entry, so you’ll have extra cash to spend on the 12 best fish and chips in Essex before heading home. Or, if you don’t want to head home straight away, book the family into a nearby campsite for a night or two.
We’ve created a list of the 7 best parks and attractions in Essex that your family needs to visit, so read on if you’re up for an adventure…
Wander through Weald Country Park
Explore over 500 acres of woodland, grassland and wildflower meadows at Weald Country Park. During the 12th century, the site was a medieval deer park, and if you head over to the enclosure today, you can feed the herds that still call this place home. Just pass by the visitor centre en route to stock up on the food that the resident fallow deer like the most.
The young (and young at heart) will no doubt take great pleasure in completing the well-loved Stick Man play trail. Based on the popular book by Julia Donaldson, this entertaining short walk takes you through the grounds of this historic park, where you can also admire plenty of stunning views along the way. There are a total of seven play areas at various points on this trail, each with playground equipment for the kids to make the most of, including climbing frames, slides and a giant swan’s nest.
Get active at Chelmer Park
Chelmer Park has one of the best playgrounds in Essex, plus it’s received the nationally acclaimed Green Flag Award for parks excellence. This large adventure area has exercise and play equipment that’s suitable for all ages, so every member of the family can get involved.
The area for young kids is in a shaded spot of the park and has some swings, a slide and a climbing frame. Older children can clamber over a climbing wall, play on a couple of giant slides and practise their balance skills on some of the other apparatus. Teenagers and adults are free to use the outdoor gym, football pitches and tennis courts.
Step back in time at Colchester Castle Park
A Roman wall cuts right through this Grade II-listed park, separating it into two sections – upper and lower. Most of the action happens in the upper park, next to the town centre. This is the part that has Hollytrees Museum – an interesting place to spend a couple of hours for free – as well as a play area and a crazy golf course. Later, take the kids to the lake in the lower part of the park and watch the boats, or hire your own.
The town of Colchester is a bustling place that’s definitely worth exploring with the family. The interactive displays at Colchester Castle are geared up for kids of all ages, and older visitors can seek out star exhibits such as the Colchester Gladiator Vase and Fenwick Hoard of Roman treasure.
The town’s South Lanes are full of gift shops, independent retailers, cafés and cute coffee shops (it’s likely you’ll need a quick pick-me-up at some point during the day). If you have the time, check out one of the art galleries here too – Firstsite has free exhibitions, as well as summer events and fun sports activities for kids.
Find out more about the 8 best places to visit in Essex
Go wild at Colchester Zoo
Colchester Zoo is home to over 200 species and is one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in South Essex. It’s also one of the few zoos in the UK that’s been approved to keep Komodo Dragons, the largest surviving lizard in the world. Of course you’ll see the usual suspects here too – tigers, elephants, giraffes and chimpanzees.
Watch the joy on your child’s face as they walk through the butterfly enclosure and ride the ‘Lost Madagascar Express’. It’s likely they’ll also be fascinated by the sea lions at Playa Patagonia, and entertained by any one of the 50 daily displays held at the zoo.
There are also plenty of play areas dotted throughout the 60 acres of parkland, including Jumble Tumble – an indoor soft play centre that has a section for kids under three years old.
Explore the grounds at RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Youngsters are likely to love the seven-metre Higgledy Hyde woodland tower at RHS Garden Hyde Hall – there are just so many slides, swings, ropes and wobble boards to play on. When they’ve just about exhausted themselves, how about one of the garden explorer trails? It’s a nice way for kids to find and learn about all the unusual plants in the grounds and you’ll get to share that sense of adventure with them.
The garden is also the backdrop for lots of the family-friendly events and exhibitions that are hosted here throughout the year. If you can, visit Hyde Hall at half term, when the estate holds one of the best Easter hunts in Essex.
Get closer to nature at Roding Valley Meadows
In 1986, Roding Valley Meadows was declared a nature reserve. Previously, RAF Chigwell occupied part of this land – and now you can walk along the old concrete tracks and observe the balloon rotundas that protected North London from attack during World War II.
Today, it’s the largest remaining species-rich water meadow in Essex. Butterflies and dragonflies dance along the river and throughout the reserve. In the warmer months, you’ll hear the chirping of wrens, blackbirds and song thrushes.
The site is also known and loved for its wildflowers; in springtime, the grasslands become a carpet of colour as devil’s-bit scabious, knapweed and clover start to bloom here.
Browse the local farmers markets
Whether you’re parenting a fussy eater or a foodie, farmers markets are a terrific way of expanding your child’s palate and improving their knowledge of local produce.
There are several markets across Essex, with Basildon market being one of the most popular. It has over 40 traders and a wide variety of goods available to try and buy. Alternatively, there’s the weekly market at Coggeshall, which takes place every Thursday morning. The stalls sell a range of delicious foods – from locally made jam to fresh Indian delicacies. And you’ll be in good historic company, as this market can be traced all the way back to 1256, when Henry III granted the town a market charter.
For a particularly special experience, head to the market at Hylands Estate, held on the third Sunday of each month. There’s plenty of mouth-watering food and drink to be found here, as well as a selection of handmade candles and jewellery to browse through. The stalls are normally set up in front of elegant Hyland House, but if the weather is poor, the market moves to the Grand Pavilion for cover. Make a day of it and visit the house, gardens and adventure playground too.
Interested in Essex walking routes? Plan your next ramble after reading our piece on the 7 best Essex walks. If you’re booking a short break in the area, then check out our South East England Camping Guide for some suggestions on where to stay.