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Explore our events and activities

Put a spring in your step with our 23 ways to Explore Essex in 2023 and read our Essex Explorer magazine for fascinating features and seasonal inspiration for days out with your family and furry friends.

Check out fun activities and events taking place in our Essex Country Parks and Heritage Places in the listings below. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to Explore Essex.

We're excited to have supported lots of exciting community activities and programmes through the Essex County Council Arts and Cultural Fund. Keep an eye on the below for lots of interesting activities to enjoy near you.

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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Northern Lights 3

Events

Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talk 2023: Raising the curtain on the Aurora Borealis

Join us at Jaywick Martello Tower for the final of our Spring Talks 2023 series about The Northern lights, which provide one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on Earth.

  • Dates: March 31, 2023
  • Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
  • Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Tickets are £2.00 per talk or pay for all five talks in advance and get the final talk free.
Buy tickets for Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talk 2023: Raising the curtain on the Aurora Borealis Find out more about Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talk 2023: Raising the curtain on the Aurora Borealis
Playing until the whistle Malcolm Root picture

Events

ERO Presents: Playing to the whistle: The railways of Essex and East Anglia*

For almost the last two centuries, railways, both main- and branch-lines, have dissected the county, taking commuters to the metropolis, goods to market and trippers to the seaside.

  • Dates: April 1, 2023
  • Venue: Essex Record Office
  • Times: 10:00am - 3:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £30-£35
Buy tickets for ERO Presents: Playing to the whistle: The railways of Essex and East Anglia* Find out more about ERO Presents: Playing to the whistle: The railways of Essex and East Anglia*
EO Bradwell Jul22 1606

Events

Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Family Powerboating Experience Days

Take to the water on a powerboat to experience a day on the River Blackwater with your family.

  • Dates:
    • April 2, 2023
    • April 7, 2023
    • April 10, 2023
    • April 15, 2023
    • April 16, 2023
    • April 29, 2023
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £280 for up to seven people
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Family Powerboating Experience Days Find out more about Essex Outdoors Bradwell: Family Powerboating Experience Days
EO Harlow Launch 173

Events

Harlow High Adventure

Discover weekend fun with high ropes and climbing walls at Essex Outdoors Harlow

  • Dates:
    • April 8, 2023
    • April 9, 2023
    • April 15, 2023
    • April 16, 2023
    • April 23, 2023
    • April 29, 2023
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: High Ropes Hexagon Adult – £16 Young person (aged 8-17) – £13 Climbing Wall Adventure Adult – £13 Young person (aged 6-17) – £11 All sessions are 90 minutes
Buy tickets for Harlow High Adventure Find out more about Harlow High Adventure
Shutterstock 303586721

Events

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:
    • April 17, 2023
    • May 22, 2023
    • June 5, 2023
    • July 10, 2023
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price:
Buy tickets for Home education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park Find out more about Home education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0683

Events

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:
    • April 22, 2023
    • May 13, 2023
    • June 10, 2023
    • July 15, 2023
    • July 22, 2023
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £10
Buy tickets for Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park Find out more about Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park

Event location map

Northern Lights 3

Events

Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talk 2023: Raising the curtain on the Aurora Borealis

Join us at Jaywick Martello Tower for the final of our Spring Talks 2023 series about The Northern lights, which provide one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on Earth.

  • Dates: March 31, 2023
  • Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
  • Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Tickets are £2.00 per talk or pay for all five talks in advance and get the final talk free.
Buy tickets for Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talk 2023: Raising the curtain on the Aurora Borealis Find out more about Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talk 2023: Raising the curtain on the Aurora Borealis
Cressing Temple barn

Site Hire

Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.

Find out more about Site Hire

A film crew at work

Filming

Our parks and places are available for filming.

Find out more about Filming