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Explore our events and activities

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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Mersea

Events

JMT Autumn Talk: The Tudor Blockhouse at East Mersea: Rescue Excavation on an Eroding Coast

Join Adam Wightman for this talk to learn more about the Tudor Blockhouse at east Mersea.

  • Dates: October 16, 2026
  • Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
  • Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £3.00
Buy tickets for JMT Autumn Talk: The Tudor Blockhouse at East Mersea: Rescue Excavation on an Eroding Coast Find out more about JMT Autumn Talk: The Tudor Blockhouse at East Mersea: Rescue Excavation on an Eroding Coast
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:
    • October 19, 2026
    • November 2, 2026
    • November 9, 2026
    • November 16, 2026
    • November 23, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
  • For under 5s
  • Price: £9.00 per child, siblings £5.00
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
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:
    • October 19, 2026
    • November 2, 2026
    • November 9, 2026
    • November 16, 2026
    • November 23, 2026
    • (continued …)
  • Venue: Danbury Country Park
  • Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • Primary School aged children
  • Price: Now booking for the New Year 2026. 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
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 26, 2026
    • October 27, 2026
    • October 28, 2026
    • October 29, 2026
    • October 30, 2026
  • 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
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 26, 2026
    • October 27, 2026
    • October 28, 2026
    • October 29, 2026
    • October 30, 2026
  • 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
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:
    • November 7, 2026
    • December 5, 2026
  • 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
ERO Presents Penny of edward the confessor from the braintree hoard

Events

ERO Presents: Coin hoarding in Late Saxon Essex

Join speaker Philip Wise for this talk about the Braintree and Hatfield Peverel hoards, why they might have been buried and what they can tell us about the use of coins by the population of Essex in the 11th century.

  • Dates: November 24, 2026
  • Venue: Essex Record Office
  • Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: £6.75
Buy tickets for ERO Presents: Coin hoarding in Late Saxon Essex Find out more about ERO Presents: Coin hoarding in Late Saxon Essex
Merry Minds A5 flyer SEPT26 AW2 Page 1 copy

Events

Merry Minds Festive Fun Run at Great Notely Country Park

Get ready to jingle all the way at Merry Minds Festive Fun Run - a merry 5k walk/run that's all about festive fun, community spirit and raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

Buy tickets for Merry Minds Festive Fun Run at Great Notely Country Park Find out more about Merry Minds Festive Fun Run at Great Notely Country Park
Wreath jo hammond

Events

One Day Natural Christmas Decorations course with Jo Hammond: Cressing Temple Barns

Enjoy a relaxing day creating natural decorations in this one day workshop with Jo Hammond.

  • Dates: December 5, 2026
  • Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • For adults
  • Price: £80.00 or £70.00 (£70.00 price only available to Friends of Cressing Temple)
Buy tickets for One Day Natural Christmas Decorations course with Jo Hammond: Cressing Temple Barns Find out more about One Day Natural Christmas Decorations course with Jo Hammond: Cressing Temple Barns
Chai makes

Events

Chai Makes - Masala Magic at Colchester Arts Centre

In this family-friendly workshop, you will learn about the different types of Indian tea, get to explore the magic of masala and learn how to make this iconic hot beverage.

  • Dates: December 13, 2026
  • Times: 10:30am - 12:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Tickets Pay what you can afford (Suggested minimum of £2)
Buy tickets for Chai Makes - Masala Magic at Colchester Arts Centre Find out more about Chai Makes - Masala Magic at Colchester Arts Centre

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