Explore our events and activities
Check out activities taking place in our Essex Country Parks and Heritage Places in the listings below. From Forest School to parkrun and 22 things to do in 2022, we've got something for you and your family.
Read on to plan your perfect day out in Essex, or dip into our magazine, Essex Explorer for more inspiration. Explore our wildflower spotter guide, the new Marconi walking trail, a spotlight on Great Notley and Danbury Country Parks and so much more.
Or check out out guide to the Essex Summer of Culture 2022, which has lots of family friendly listings, and so much more.
As part of the Essex Summer of Culture, discover the Essex Cultural Diversity Project series of satellite events at the Essex Country Parks running during May half-term, culminating in the colourful Global Village festival at Hadleigh on 3 July. Browse the listings below to find out more.
Or read our blog to find out more about the filming of The Essex Serpent at Cudmore Grove Country park, and plan your visit to the iconic settings.
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Event search results

Jaywick Sands: A Snapshot of History
- Dates: May 19 - July 10, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

ERO Presents: Romans, Saxons and Princely Burials
Join us on the Saturday 28 May to learn more about the landscape of Essex as the Saxons knew it.
- Dates: May 28, 2022
- Venue: Wharf Road
- Times: 10:30am - 12:30pm
- For adults
- Price: £10-£12.50

Summer of Culture: Colchester Chinese Culture Society at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village satellite events at the Essex Country Parks.
- Dates: May 28, 2022
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Summer of Culture: Essex Multicultural Activities Network at Danbury Country Park
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village Satellite Event at the Essex Country Parks.
- Dates: May 29, 2022
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free entry

Summer of Culture: BrazilArte at Hadleigh Country Park
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Satellite Events at the Essex Country Parks.
- Dates: May 30, 2022
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free entry

Summer of Culture: Efua Sey Cultural Academy at Weald Country Park
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village Satellite Events at the Essex Country Parks.
- Dates: May 31, 2022
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free entry
Books in the Park: Thorndon Country Park
Join Essex Library Service and Explore Essex for some fun story times this half term
- Dates: June 1, 2022
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free

Creative Net at Jaywick Martello Tower: Bring your own craft
Free workshops on the first Wednesday of every month. Everybody welcome! Coffee, biscuits, and great creative conversations provided.
- Dates: June 1, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 1:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free but booking essential

Books in the Park: Weald Country Park
Join Essex Library Service and Explore Essex for fun story times Weald Country Parks this half term.
- Dates: June 1, 2022
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: 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:
- June 6, 2022
- June 13, 2022
- June 20, 2022
- June 27, 2022
- July 4, 2022
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price:

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:
- June 6, 2022
- June 13, 2022
- June 20, 2022
- June 27, 2022
- July 4, 2022
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price:

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:
- June 11, 2022
- July 9, 2022
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £0-£8

Midsummer Madness at Cressing Temple Barns
Essex Book Festival presents Midsummer Madness at Cressing Temple Barns, as part of the Summer of Culture 2022
- Dates: June 25, 2022
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:30am - 5:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free entry

Summer of Culture: Global Village Finale at Hadleigh Country Park
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village Finale event this summer.
- Dates: July 3, 2022
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 11:30am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free entry

Creative Net at Jaywick Martello Tower: Lino Printing
Free workshops on the first Wednesday of every month. Everybody welcome!
- Dates: July 6, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 1:00pm
- For adults
- Price: Free but booking essential

Jaywick Martello Tower: James McColl Smith exhibition
Local Artist James McColl Smith brings his vibrant artwork to Jaywick Martello Tower for a special exhibition this summer.
- Dates: July 14 - 15, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Weald Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Great Notley Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Hadleigh Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 8:45am - 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: 8:45am - 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: 8:45am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Dig4 Jaywick Open Day
Join Jaywick Martello Tower and artist Vikki Walsh at the Dig4 Jaywick Open day where we will be making rattan flowers and raffia butterflies.
- Dates: July 13, 2022
- Venue: Lotus Way
- Times: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
Event location map

Jaywick Sands: A Snapshot of History
- Dates: May 19 - July 10, 2022
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

ERO Presents: Romans, Saxons and Princely Burials
Join us on the Saturday 28 May to learn more about the landscape of Essex as the Saxons knew it.
- Dates: May 28, 2022
- Venue: Wharf Road
- Times: 10:30am - 12:30pm
- For adults
- Price: £10-£12.50

Summer of Culture: Colchester Chinese Culture Society at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village satellite events at the Essex Country Parks.
- Dates: May 28, 2022
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Dig4 Jaywick Open Day
Join Jaywick Martello Tower and artist Vikki Walsh at the Dig4 Jaywick Open day where we will be making rattan flowers and raffia butterflies.
- Dates: July 13, 2022
- Venue: Lotus Way
- Times: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
Site Hire
Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.
