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Check out amazing activities and exciting events at our unique collection of Essex Country Parks and heritage places. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to make the most of the amazing places on your doorstep and beyond.

Browse our blogs for ideas on what to do and where to go.

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Autumn Spotters Guide 2025 1

Events

Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Autumn has arrived and the parks are bursting with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.

  • Dates: September 10, 2025 - January 31, 2026
  • Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price:
Find out more about Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0431

Events

Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park

Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.

  • Dates:
    • September 22, 2025
    • September 29, 2025
    • October 6, 2025
    • October 13, 2025
    • November 3, 2025
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • For under 5s
  • Price: Now booking for September and November 2025. Six weeks for £51. Sibling discounts available.
Buy tickets for Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park
Orlando laughing OE Malvern Lucy J Toms small

Events

Jaywick Martello Tower: Roman River Festival: Orlando Jopling - Cello Suites

Festival Artistic Director, Orlando Jopling, fizzes with creative energy as a conductor, collaborator, and, above all, a cellist.

  • Dates: September 22, 2025
  • Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
  • Times: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Tickets £15.00 to £20.00 (£10.00 for under 30s)
Buy tickets for Jaywick Martello Tower: Roman River Festival: Orlando Jopling - Cello Suites Find out more about Jaywick Martello Tower: Roman River Festival: Orlando Jopling - Cello Suites
Shutterstock 303586721

Events

Forest School sessions for Home Ed: 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 22, 2025
    • September 29, 2025
    • October 6, 2025
    • October 13, 2025
    • November 3, 2025
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price: Now booking for September 2025. Six weeks for £51. Sibling discounts available.
Buy tickets for Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park
Adobe Stock 463260477 Saffron Walden cottages

Events

Place Services: Living with Heritage Assets: How to understand and navigate the planning system

This morning course is designed to provide an understanding of the planning system for those who own a listed building or live within a Conservation Area.

Buy tickets for Place Services: Living with Heritage Assets: How to understand and navigate the planning system Find out more about Place Services: Living with Heritage Assets: How to understand and navigate the planning system
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 27, 2025
    • October 25, 2025
    • November 29, 2025
    • December 13, 2025
  • Venue: Great Notley Country Park
  • Times: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Free
Find out more about North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley
Excavating at the front of the essex county hospital site

Events

Essex Record Office Presents: The former Essex County Hospital site, Colchester

Join speaker Adam Wightman for this talk about Roman burials, settlements and industry west of the walled town of Colchester.

  • Dates: September 30, 2025
  • Venue: Essex Record Office
  • Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £6.50
Buy tickets for Essex Record Office Presents: The former Essex County Hospital site, Colchester Find out more about Essex Record Office Presents: The former Essex County Hospital site, Colchester
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0683

Events

Family Forest School: 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 4, 2025
    • November 8, 2025
    • December 13, 2025
  • 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: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Family Forest School: Danbury Country Park
David and Megan at the ERO

Events

Place Services: House History - Researching and Understanding Your Historic Building

This course is aimed at homeowners, heritage consultants, architects and anyone interested in researching the history and development of historic buildings.

Buy tickets for Place Services: House History - Researching and Understanding Your Historic Building Find out more about Place Services: House History - Researching and Understanding Your Historic Building
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:
    • October 27, 2025
    • October 29, 2025
    • October 31, 2025
  • 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.
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:
    • October 27, 2025
    • October 28, 2025
    • October 29, 2025
    • October 30, 2025
    • October 31, 2025
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Danbury
  • Times: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • 8-16
  • Price: Price £40.00 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
EO Mersea Jun23 525

Events

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 27, 2025
    • October 28, 2025
    • October 29, 2025
    • October 30, 2025
    • October 31, 2025
  • 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.
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Mersea Find out more about Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Mersea
EO Harlow Launch 173

Events

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 27, 2025
    • October 28, 2025
    • October 29, 2025
    • October 30, 2025
    • October 31, 2025
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • 8-16
  • Price: £40.00 for the whole day. Book four days, get a fifth day free. (Individuals and siblings only).
Buy tickets for Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Harlow Find out more about Essex Outdoors School Holiday Activity Days: Harlow
Spooky Forest School

Events

Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park: morning session

Book this fabulous, spine-tingling Spooky Forest School session for October half term.

  • Dates: October 30, 2025
  • 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 (£6).
Buy tickets for Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park: morning session Find out more about Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park: morning session
Spooky Forest School

Events

Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park: afternoon session

Book this spine-tingling Spooky Forest School session for October half term.

  • Dates: October 30, 2025
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price: £10 first child. Parking included in cost. Call 01245 223342 for sibling discount.
Buy tickets for Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park: afternoon session Find out more about Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park: afternoon session
The Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst unveiling the plaque to Katherine Mina Courtauld Colne Engaine 13 May 2023 artwork by Juliet Townsend Brian Fleming

Events

Essex Record Office Presents: Essex Women's Commemoration Project

Join speaker Dr. James Bettley for this talk and learn about the project to identity distinguished Essex women who have not received the public recognition they deserve.

  • Dates: November 25, 2025
  • Venue: Essex Record Office
  • Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
  • For adults
  • Price: £6.50
Buy tickets for Essex Record Office Presents: Essex Women's Commemoration Project Find out more about Essex Record Office Presents: Essex Women's Commemoration Project

Event location map

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