Get active
Simply being outdoors and getting active improves both mental and physical health. From taking a walk across rolling grasslands to cycling and kids’ play trails we’ve got something for you in many different locations across the county. So come on and get out more.
Read more about the benefits of being outside in our blog.
Places to go
Featured events
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.
Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- September 22, 2024
- September 29, 2024
- October 6, 2024
- October 13, 2024
- October 20, 2024
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free
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 27 - 28, 2024
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Mersea
- Times: 6:00pm - 2:00pm
- 14+
- Price: Weekend ticket: Friday to Sunday Includes: Six meals, full programme of activities and two nights (Friday and Saturday) accommodation based on a shared, heated cabin: Weekend ticket: £155 (single occupancy cabin supplement +£20), Early Bird Weekend ticket (first 10 bookings only) £140.
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
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
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
Explore Essex
Search our parks and places to plan your perfect day out
Need to know
Explorer Pass
Save money with your Explorer Pass
Our annual Explore Essex Pass will give you and your family the freedom to explore some of the incredible places and green spaces that Essex has to offer, as many times as you like throughout the year, with free parking at seven country parks, 2 or 1 on Sky Ropes, priority booking on specific events, and 10% discounts at many cafes and visitor centres.