What's on

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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 and Summer of Culture guide 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 at all the Essex Country Parks 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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EO Bradwell Jul22 504 sailing

Events

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:
    • July 26 - 27, 2024
    • August 6 - 7, 2024
    • August 7 - 8, 2024
    • August 9 - 10, 2024
    • August 19 - 20, 2024
    • August 21 - 22, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Bradwell
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • 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.
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Bradwell Find out more about Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Bradwell
Danbury

Events

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:
    • July 29, 2024
    • July 30, 2024
    • July 31, 2024
    • August 1, 2024
    • August 2, 2024
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Danbury
  • Times: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • 8-16
  • Price: Price £37.50 per child per day.
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Danbury Find out more about Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Danbury
The Hay Wain Promo Shot 2

Events

The Haywain at Cressing Temple Barns

The Hay Wain was first staged at Flatford Mill by Packing Shed Theatre on the Essex and Suffolk border in 2021 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of John Constable’s famous painting – and you can experience the play at Cressing Temple Barns this summer.

  • Dates: August 23, 2024
  • Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
  • Times: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Tickets £16, £14 concessions (Under-18’s, Over-65’s)
Buy tickets for The Haywain at Cressing Temple Barns Find out more about The Haywain at Cressing Temple Barns
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:
    • September 7, 2024
    • October 5, 2024
    • 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.
Buy tickets for Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park Find out more about Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0431

Events

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 9, 2024
    • 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.
Buy tickets for Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park Find out more about Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park
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:
    • September 9, 2024
    • November 4, 2024
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price: Sibling discounts available. Please call to enquire.
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
Notley2

Events

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:
    • September 28, 2024
    • 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
Buy tickets for North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley Find out more about North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley

Event location map

Cressing Temple barn

Site Hire

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

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A film crew at work

Filming

Our parks and places are available for filming.

Find out more about Filming