Explore our events and activities
Keep your family busy this season at the Explore Essex unique collection of Essex Country Parks, heritage places and Essex Outdoors centres.
Check out amazing activities and exciting events. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to make the most of the amazing places on your doorstep and beyond.
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 Explorer Pass to help you save money on car parking at all the Essex Country Parks and more and 'get out more' with family and friends this season.
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Event search results
Jaywick Martello Tower: Coastal Open 2024
Enjoy the Coastal Open exhibition 2024
- Dates: September 12 - October 27, 2024
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Entry to the Tower is £1.00 for adults and free for those under 14-years-old.
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 26 - November 30, 2024
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price:
Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- October 13, 2024
- October 20, 2024
- October 27, 2024
- November 3, 2024
- November 10, 2024
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free
Alderford Water Mill - Heritage Open Day
Alderford water mill is open on the second Sunday of each month from April through to October.
- Dates:
- October 13, 2024
- Venue: Alderford Street
- Times: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
Jaywick Martello Tower: We Are Music
Are you, or someone you know, interested in joining a band? Are you a part of a band and want to improve your musical skills as a group?
- Dates:
- October 13, 2024
- October 14, 2024
- October 16, 2024
- October 17, 2024
- October 18, 2024
- (continued …)
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
- Teenagers
- Price: Free
Jaywick Martello Tower: We Are Music DJ Sessions
Are you ready to unleash your inner DJ superstar?
- Dates:
- October 15, 2024
- October 22, 2024
- November 5, 2024
- November 12, 2024
- November 19, 2024
- (continued …)
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
- Teenagers
- Price: Free
Jaywick Martello Tower Autumn talk: Wildflowers and Orchids of the British Isles
Join us for this talk by Roger Hance and discover the range of wildflowers, as well as some of the orchids, that can be found in the British countryside.
- Dates: October 18, 2024
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Entry £2.00, free refreshments provided.
Monster Mysteries Trail at Thorndon Country Park
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail sheet supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
- Dates: October 19 - November 3, 2024
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail is free
Monster Mysteries Trail at Danbury Country Park
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail sheet supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
- Dates: October 19 - November 3, 2024
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail is free
Monster Mysteries Trail at Great Notley Country Park
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail sheet supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
- Dates: October 19 - November 3, 2024
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail is free
Monster Mysteries Trail at Cressing Temple Barns
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
- Dates: October 19 - November 3, 2024
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail is free
Monster Mysteries Trail at Weald Country Park
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail sheet supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
- Dates: October 19 - November 3, 2024
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail is free
Monster Mysteries Trail at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail sheet supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
- Dates: October 19 - November 3, 2024
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail is free
Monster Mysteries Trail at Belhus Woods Country Park
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
- Dates: October 19 - November 3, 2024
- Venue: Belhus Woods Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail is free
Cressing Temple Barns: Apple Day
Join The Friends of Cressing Temple for Apple Day!
- Dates: October 20, 2024
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £3.00 for adults, children (under 16-years-old) free
Jaywick Martello Tower Autumn talk: Oysters and Oilskins
Join Penny Youll for this talk where she’ll delve more into the project and the clothes worn by the Victorian East Coast Fishermen.
- Dates: October 25, 2024
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Doors open at 10.30am, talk starts at 11.00am. Entry £2.00, free refreshments provided.
Sky Ropes and Sky Ropes Junior at Great Notley
Your family adventure starts here!
- Dates:
- October 26, 2024
- October 27, 2024
- October 28, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- October 30, 2024
- October 31, 2024
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- For the whole family
- Price: Adult £13.00 Young person (8-17) £13.00, Under 8 £13.00
North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley
North Essex Astronomical Society is one of the larger astronomical societies in the UK with over 200 members. They are also one of the few providing members with access to a full-sized observatory at a dark-sky location
- Dates:
- October 26, 2024
- November 23, 2024
- December 7, 2024
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Bradwell
Our action packed activity day experiences run at our Bradwell Centre during the school holidays and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors.
- Dates:
- October 28, 2024
- October 30, 2024
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
- 8-16
- Price: Price: £40.00 per child per day. Buy four days get the fifth free. To book this offer please call the centre on 01621 776256.
Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Danbury
Our action packed activity day experiences run at our Danbury Centre during the school holidays and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors.
- Dates:
- October 28, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- October 30, 2024
- October 31, 2024
- November 1, 2024
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Danbury
- Times: 8:30am - 5:00pm
- 8-16
- Price: Price £40.00 per child per day.
Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Harlow
Our action-packed activity day experiences run at our Harlow Centre during the school holidays and are the ideal way for young people aged 8-16 to try exciting new experiences in the outdoors.
- Dates:
- October 28, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- October 30, 2024
- October 31, 2024
- November 1, 2024
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
- Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- 8-16
- Price: £40.00 for the whole day!
Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Mersea
Action-packed kids holiday club activity days run at our four Essex Outdoors centres during the school holidays.
- Dates:
- October 28, 2024
- October 29, 2024
- October 30, 2024
- October 31, 2024
- November 1, 2024
- Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- 8-16
- Price: £40.00 per child per day. Buy four days and get the fifth free. To book this offer call the centre on 01206 383226.
Spooky Books in the Park: Weald Country Park
Join Essex Library Service and Explore Essex for free spooky story time at Weald Country Parks this October half term.
- Dates: October 28, 2024
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free*
Spooky Forest School at Thorndon Country Park
Book this spine-tingling Spooky Forest School session for October half term.
- Dates: October 29, 2024
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: £10 first child. Parking included in cost. Call 01245 223342 for sibling discount.
Essex Record Office Presents: Mud and Monuments
Despite a childhood spent on holiday along the North Yorkshire and Northumberland coasts, Ellen Heppell has developed an appreciation of the very contrasting character of the Essex coast.
- Dates: October 29, 2024
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £6.25
Jaywick Martello Tower: Eco-Drama Workshop for Young People
This half-term join Wise Ram Theatre for this free drama workshop with Jaywick Martello Tower.
- Dates: October 29, 2024
- Venue: Brooklands
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- Teenagers
- Price: Free
Jaywick Martello Tower: Climate Theatre Workshop for Adults
Join Wise Ram Theatre for this free drama workshop with Jaywick Martello Tower.
- Dates: October 29, 2024
- Venue: Brooklands
- Times: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
- For adults
- Price: Free
Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park
Book this fabulous, spine-tingling Spooky Forest School session for October half term.
- Dates: October 30, 2024
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: £10 first child, Parking included in cost. Call 01245 223342 for sibling discount.
Spooky Books in the Park: Thorndon Country Park
Join Essex Library Service and Explore Essex for some spooky story times this Halloween!
- Dates: October 31, 2024
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free
Jaywick Martello Tower Autumn talk: The Siege of Colchester 1648
Join Andrew Watson for a captivating exploration of the Siege of Colchester.
- Dates: November 1, 2024
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Entry £2.00, free refreshments provided.
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:
- November 4, 2024
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Now booking: 9 September to 14 October– 6 sessions £51.00 and 4 November to 9 December – 6 sessions £51.00. 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:
- November 4, 2024
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Sibling discounts available. Please call to enquire.
Watercolour Christmas Cards and Tags Workshop
Come and join us at Cressing Temple Barns on this beginners' watercolour and vintage lace Christmas cards and tags workshop with Julie Hunt-Terry.
- Dates: November 6, 2024
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 2:00pm
- For adults
- Price: Adults £60.00, Friends of Cressing Temple Barns £50.00
Essex Christmas Fair
A very busy and well-established Christmas Fair (by Charlie Owen Events) with over 100 exhibitors spread around the beautiful setting of Cressing Temple Barns.
- Dates:
- November 8 - 9, 2024
- November 9 - 10, 2024
- November 10 - 11, 2024
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Adults £7.00, Concessions £6.00, children 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:
- November 9, 2024
- December 7, 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.
Workshop: One Day Willow Deer Sculpture course with Jo Hammond
Jojn Jo Hammond at Cressing Temple Barns for this one day workshop and it's a great opportunity to work with one of East Anglia’s best willow workers.
- Dates: November 16, 2024
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For adults
- Price: Adult £80.00, Friends of Cressing Temple members £70.00
Essex Record Office Presents: A round-up of archaeology in Essex
Join speakers Maria Medlycott and Zoe Bridges as they give an overview of some archaeological digs that have recently been undertaken or are still being dug and what's being dug up in Burnham!
- Dates: November 26, 2024
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 1:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £8.50
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
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
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
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
Event location map
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