Explore our events and activities
Check out fun activities and events taking place at Essex Outdoors and 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 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, 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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Jaywick Martello Tower: Junior Coastal Open 2023
We are now accepting applications for the Junior Coastal Open 2023.
- Dates: June 1 - October 29, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 12:00pm - 12:00pm
- Teenagers
- Price: Free

Walter and Zoniel's Modern Mythologies - Thorndon (South) Country Park
From mid-September, artists Walter and Zoniel present an ambitious public art project across Essex green spaces.
- Dates: September 15, 2023 - April 30, 2024
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- For the whole family
- Price: FREE

Walter and Zoniel's Modern Mythologies - Hadleigh Country Park
From mid-September, artists Walter and Zoniel present an ambitious public art project across Essex green spaces.
- Dates: September 15, 2023 - April 30, 2024
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- For the whole family
- Price: FREE

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:

Essex Autumn Shopping Fair
Come along to the extremely popular and well-established Autumn Fair at Cressing Temple Barns.
- Dates:
- September 23, 2023
- September 24, 2023
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 3:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Adults £5.00, concessions £4.00 and children 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:
- September 25, 2023
- October 2, 2023
- October 9, 2023
- October 16, 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:
- September 25, 2023
- October 2, 2023
- October 9, 2023
- October 16, 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.

SOLD OUT Wellness Weekend Festival: Mersea Minds in Motion
Enjoy an energising weekend of wide ranging wellbeing sessions and outdoor activities to boost mind, body and soul on the idyllic island of Mersea.
- Dates: September 29 - October 1, 2023
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Mersea
- Times: 6:00pm - 12:00pm
- 14+
- Price: Weekend ticket: Friday to Sunday £130 (Early Bird £117). Full day ticket (Saturday daytime and evening) £80 (Early bird £72). Day ticket: Saturday daytime only £60 (Early bird £54).

Willow Workshop at Cressing Temple Barns
Join a one day basket course with Jo Hammond.
- Dates: September 30, 2023
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £75.00 or £65.00 if you are a member of the Friends of Cressing Temple.
Jaywick Martello Tower: By Train to the Seaside
Discover how the English railway network impacted family day trips to the coast in this talk
- Dates: October 6, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £2.00 per talk (or pay for all five talks in advance and get the final one free!)

Apple Day at Cressing Temple Barns
Join The Friends of Cressing Temple for Apple Day.
- Dates: October 8, 2023
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 11:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Adults £3.00, under-18's free.

Jaywick Martello Tower: By Train to Clacton-on-sea
- Dates: October 13, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £2.00 per talk (or pay for all five talks in advance and get the final one 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:
- October 14, 2023
- November 11, 2023
- December 9, 2023
- January 13, 2024
- February 10, 2024
- (continued …)
- 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.
Jaywick Martello Tower: The History of Surnames
Discover how our names have evolved over time with this talk at the Tower
- Dates: October 20, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £2.00 per talk (or pay for all five talks in advance and get the final talk free!)

Jaywick Martello Tower: St Osyth Church
Discover more about St Osyth Church and its history in this talk by local historian
- Dates: October 27, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £2.00 per talk (or pay for all five talks in advance and get the final one free!)

Jaywick Martello Tower: The History of the Bicycle
Hear more about the history of bicycles with vintage examples on display
- Dates: November 3, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £2.00 per talk (or pay for all talks in advance and get the final one free!)

Walter and Zoniel's Modern Mythologies - Jaywick Martello Tower
From mid-September, artists Walter and Zoniel present an ambitious public art project across Essex green spaces.
- Dates: September 17, 2023 - April 30, 2024
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- For the whole family
- Price: FREE
Event location map
Site Hire
Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.
