Explore our events and activities
Keep your family busy this season. Check out amazing activities and exciting events taking place in our Essex Country Parks, at our Heritage Places and Essex Outdoors centres. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to Explore Essex.
We're excited to have supported lots of exciting community events and programmes through the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund. Keep an eye on the below for lots of interesting sessions to enjoy near you.
Read our Essex Explorer magazine for fascinating features, more listings and seasonal inspiration for days out with your family and furry friends.
Discover our annual Essex Explorer Pass to help you save money on car parking and more and 'get out more' with family and friends this season.
Sign-up to our Explore Essex newsletters to receive regular news and inspiration, discover what's going on around the county direct to your inbox.
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Event search results

Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Autumn has arrived and the parks are brimming with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.
- Dates: September 21 - December 31, 2023
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price:

The Deepenings Trail at Cudmore Grove
Enjoy this walking trail as you explore The Deepenings.
- Dates: October 12, 2023 - April 30, 2024
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Jane Stewart: Essex Birds
'Essex Birds' is an exhibition of work by all female, or female identifying Essex based artists, curated by Jane Stewart.
- Dates: November 4 - December 17, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Christmas Colouring
Spread some seasonal cheer with our cute colouring sheet
- Dates: November 25 - December 31, 2023
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free. Print at home.

Stick Man Sculpture Trail at Weald Country Park
Come and enjoy the The Stick Man sculpture trail this winter at Weald Country Park.
- Dates: November 25 - December 31, 2023
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free*

Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park
Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.
- Dates:
December 11, 2023
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: £51 for a block booking of six sessions. Sibling discounts available. Call to enquire.

Home education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park
Aimed at home educated children, this series of six sessions at Danbury Country Park includes nature activities, forest crafts, imagination, physical play and building things.
- Dates:
December 11, 2023
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: £51 for a block booking of six sessions. Sibling discounts available. Please call to enquire.

Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Hadleigh
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
- Dates: December 16 - 31, 2023
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*

Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Weald Country Park
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
- Dates: December 16 - 31, 2023
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*

Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Thorndon Country Park
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
- Dates: December 16 - 31, 2023
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*

Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Great Notley
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
- Dates: December 16 - 31, 2023
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*

Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Danbury Country Park
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
- Dates: December 16 - 31, 2023
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*

Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Cudmore Grove
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
- Dates: December 16 - 31, 2023
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*

Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Belhus Woods
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
- Dates: December 16 - 31, 2023
- Venue: Belhus Woods Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*

Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- December 17, 2023
- December 24, 2023
- December 31, 2023
- January 7, 2024
- January 14, 2024
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Jaywick Martello Tower: Autism Friendly Christmas Animation
Feeling inspired by festive favourite animations? Come along and create your own with Signals in a relaxed, autism friendly setting!
- Dates: December 22, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Teenagers
- Price: £5

Jaywick Martello Tower: Christmas Animation 7-years-old +
Feeling inspired by festive favourite animations? Come along and create your own with Signals!
- Dates: December 22, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Price: £25

Jaywick Martello Tower: The World Around Us
In this exhibition Paul Destri and Alison McKinney are exhibiting their nature themed artwork inspired by their wildlife walks. The pieces on show range from wonderous landscapes to detailed animal portraits, all captured in photograph while spending time in nature and lovingly recreated in acrylics, oils, and more.
- Dates: January 6 - February 25, 2024
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Chelmsford Library)
Welcome to Essex (2023) transforms a family of three Matryoshka dolls with the identities of the communities that call Essex home, celebrating the rich diversity of contemporary Britain and reflecting on the valuable contribution that immigration has made to British society.
- Dates: January 8 - February 2, 2024
- Times: 9:00am - 7:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Harlow Library)
Welcome to Essex (2023) transforms a family of three Matryoshka dolls with the identities of the communities that call Essex home, celebrating the rich diversity of contemporary Britain and reflecting on the valuable contribution that immigration has made to British society.
- Dates: February 5 - March 1, 2024
- Times: 9:00am - 5:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park
Don’t let the children have all the fun, connecting with nature is beneficial for everyone. Come and join us at our Family Forest School sessions.
- Dates:
- February 10, 2024
- March 9, 2024
- April 20, 2024
- May 11, 2024
- June 8, 2024
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £10 for the first child. £6 for siblings. Accompanying adults Free. Under 18 months free.

Great Notley Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part

Weald Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Cudmore Grove Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Hadleigh Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Marsh Farm Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Marsh Farm Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Event location map
Site Hire
Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.
