There are all sorts of fun activities, events, and things to do in Essex during the school Summer holidays, so if you need a little inspiration, you are in the right place.
We have put together this handy guide, containing plenty of ideas for Summer holiday activities in Essex, so you can make Summer the best one yet.
Browse Halloween events in Essex and Bonfire night events in Essex.
Hedingham Castle
There’s something for everyone at Hedingham Castle.
We have an exciting calendar of events all year round including:
- Theatre
- Jousts
- Outdoor Cinema
- and much more!
East Anglian Railway Museum
Chappel Station, Chappel, Colchester CO6 2DS
For a family friendly day out during the Summer holidays, head to the East Anglian Railway Museum in Colchester.
There are a number of events taking place this Summer, including:
- Steampunk Fair – 21st July 2019
- Summer Steam Sundays – 28th July, and 11th & 18th August 2019
- Summer Holiday Activity Mornings – 30th July, 13th August, 27th August 2019
- Days out with Thomas – 24th – 26th August 2019
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free parking outside the Escape Rooms.
Tickets (Non-Event Days)
Adults: £7
Children (ages 4-15): £4
Tickets (Event Days)
Adults: £10
Children (ages 4-15): £5
Escape Rooms are becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. They are a lot of fun for all different age groups, and they can be completed in groups of two to ten people, making them a great choice for a day out over the Summer holiday.
Essex is spoiled for choice when it comes to Escape Rooms, with a choice of three different locations: Maldon Escape Rooms; Chelmsford Escape Rooms; and Bishop’s Stortford Escape Rooms.
Maldon Escape Rooms
White Horse Lane, Maldon CM9 5QP
Choose from the following themes at Maldon Escape Rooms:
- Rob The Bank
- An Hour To Kill, Hollywood
Parking
Pay & Display Car Park: White Horse Lane car park- opposite the Escape Rooms.
Tickets
2 Tickets: £50
3 Tickets: £66
4 Tickets: £80
5 Tickets: £90
6 Tickets: £99
7 Tickets: £105
8 Tickets: £120
9 Tickets: £135
10: Tickets: £150
Enter the code TRAIL for a discount at the checkout.
Chelmsford Escape Rooms
Moulsham Mill Centre, Parkway, Chelmsford CM2 7PX
Choose from the following themes at Chelmsford Escape Rooms:
- The Last Testament
- The Governor
- Crazy Cat Lady
Parking
Pay & Display Car Park: White Horse Lane car park- opposite the Escape Rooms.
Tickets
2 Tickets: £50
3 Tickets: £66
4 Tickets: £80
5 Tickets: £90
6 Tickets: £99
7 Tickets: £105
8 Tickets: £120
Enter the code TRAIL for a discount at the checkout.
Bishop’s Stortford Escape Rooms
Woodside, Bishop’s Stortford, Essex CM23 5RG
Choose from the following themes at Bishop’s Stortford Escape Rooms:
- Eerie Motel California
- An Hour To Kill, Hollywood
- Rob The Bank
- Patient Zero
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free parking outside the Escape Rooms.
Tickets
2 Tickets: £50
3 Tickets: £66
4 Tickets: £80
5 Tickets: £90
6 Tickets: £99
7 Tickets: £105
8 Tickets: £120
9 Tickets: £135
10: Tickets: £150
Enter the code TRAIL for a discount at the checkout.
Imperial Bird of Prey Academy
Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay, Essex CM11 2UD
For a unique day out over the holidays, why not visit the Imperial Bird of Prey Academy in Billericay.
For a limited time (only available during the Summer holidays), there will be an additional experience available:
- The Kids Experience: ages 2-12 years
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free visitor parking at Barleylands.
Tickets
Participant: £12.50
Non-Participating Guest: £6.50
Rope Runners
Ongar Road, Kelvedon Hatch, Brentwood, Essex CM15 0LA
Rope Runners is the biggest high ropes adventure park in Essex, and makes an exhilarating day out for the family.
There will be a special offer at Rope Runners during the Summer holidays:
- Kids Go Free This Summer: 1x Child (age 6-15 years) goes free with every paying adult- 1st July – 6th September 2019
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free parking.
Tickets
All tickets: Prices start from £22
Audley End
Off London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4JF
Audley End House & Gardens is a beautiful Jacobean mansion, set in award winning gardens.
There is a wide selection of events planned for the Summer holidays, including:
- Bringing Audley End To Life: 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, & 21st July, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 31st August, & 1st September 2019
- Get Hands On with History: 20th July – 1st September 2019
- Music on a Sunday: 21st July 2019
- Legendary Joust: 27th – 18th July 2019
- The Victorian Warhorse: 3rd – 4th August 2019
- World War II Weekend: 25th- 26th August 2019
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free parking for visitors.
Tickets (with Gift Aid)
Adults: £20.40
Children (5-17 years): 12.30
Concessions: £18.40
Family (2x adults, up to 3x children): £53.10
Creeksea Disc Golf & Football Golf Course
Creaksea Place Farm, Ferry Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex CM0 8PJ
Creaksea Disc Golf & Football Golf Course is an ideal place to take the kids during the Summer holidays. Fun for all ages, Disc Golf and Football Golf make a great choice for a low cost family day out, especially if the sun is shining.
For the Summer holidays, there will be a special offer running:
- £10 for a round of Disc Golf or Foot Golf, followed by a Panini Lunch in the Parlour Café (minimum of 4 people).
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free car park
Tickets
Disc Golf: £5 per person
Foot Golf: £5 per person
Parlour Cafe
Creaksea Place Farm, Ferry Road, Burnham on Crouch, Essex CM0 8PJ
The Parlour Café at Creeksea Place Barns serves homemade cakes, toasted paninis, teas, coffees, and milkshakes.
The following events will be taking place at the café over the Summer holidays:
- Midsummer Weekend (bouncy castles, live music, real ale tent, cocktail bar, local food vendors): 19th – 20th July 2019
- Slime Workshops: Starting at 2pm and 3:15pm- 10th August 2019
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free car park
Tickets
Midsummer Weekend: £5.92
Midsummer Weekend Camping: £5 per person
Slime Workshop (4 – 11 years): £7
Colchester Zoo
Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL
Colchester Zoo is a classic choice for a Summer holiday day out, and they have several activities planned:
- Tree-mendous- Rainforests & Us: 11am – 3pm – 27th July – 1st September 2019
- Mini Vibes Music & Movement Sessions: Every Thursday between 27th July & 29th August 2019
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free car park
Tickets (on the day)
Adults: £23.99
Children: £16.99
Seniors (60+ years): £21.99
Tickets (online in advance)
Adults: From £21.59
Children: From £15.29
Seniors (60+ years): From £19.79
Stoke By Nayland
Keepers Lane, Stoke by Nayland, Dedham, Suffolk, CO6 4PZ
As well as its championship golf courses, award winning dining, relaxing spa, and peaceful places to stay, Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf, & Spa will be holding a special family friendly event during the Summer holiday:
- Family Fun Day: 1pm-5pm – 20th July 2019
Parking
On-Site Car Park: Free car park
Tickets
Tickets for Family Fun Day: Free admission
Sea Life Adventure
Eastern Esplanade, Southend on Sea SS1 2ER
Sea Life Adventure in Southend is an exciting aquarium, and a great choice for a day out if the weather isn’t quite as nice as you’d hoped. Sea Life Adventure will be holding the following events this Summer:
- Cartoon Weekend: 20th – 21st July 2019
- Superhero Weekend: 17th – 18th August 2019
Parking
Nearby car park: Free parking nearby
Tickets
Adults: £17.50
Concessions: £13.75
Children: £12.50
Children (under 90cm, under 14 years): Free
Discounts are available for family groups, please see website for full details.
Adventure Island
Sunken Garden, Western Esplanade, Southend on Sea SS1 1EE
Adventure Island is a family friendly theme park, located in Southend. The wristband ride system allows you to save money by only paying for the rides you can actually go on. And if there’s someone in your party that isn’t a fan of rides, they can enter the park for free as there are no admission charges.
Parking
Paid Car Parks: Council-run paid car parks nearby.
Tickets
Admission to the park is free, but a wristband is required to go on rides:
Red Wristband (under 1 metre tall): £15
Green Wristband: (1m – 1.2m tall): £18.75
Blue Wristband (over 1.2m tall): £22.50
Old MacDonald’s Farm and Fun Park
Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex CM14 5AY
Old MacDonald’s Farm and Fun Park has a range of attractions and activities, including animals, rides, soft play, tractor rides, and pony rides.
The following events are planned at Old MacDonald’s Farm between 25th July – 2nd September 2019:
- Pirates & Mermaids Day- 3rd-4th August 2019
- Arts & Crafts Mondays & Tuesdays
- Gardening Wednesdays
- Bubble Fun Thursdays
- Facepainting Fridays
- Teddy Bear’s Picnic- 10th August 2019
- Meet Skye & Marshall from Paw Patrol- 27th July 2019
- Puppet Shows & Story Telling
Parking
On Site Car Park: Free on-site parking.
Tickets (During peak season)
Adults (over 16 years): £18
Seniors (over 65 years): £16
Children (2-15 years): £17
Children (Under 2 years): Free.
Discounts are available when booking online or in advance, as well as for admission after 2:30pm. See website for further details.