Author: Kate Kirk, Mum of 3 and blogger at Counting To Ten
Essex is a beautiful county with lots to do with children, but what are the highlights? Where are the places that are really special? Here are 10 of the places that I think it’s worth knowing about if you are heading to the area with children.
Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted Mounfitchet
A reconstructed Medieval Motte and Bailey castle and Norman village near Stansted Airport on the site of the original castle. The wooden buildings bring history to life. There are free roaming goats, deer and peacocks in the grounds which you can feed. There is a toy museum where adults will relive their childhood, but as the toys are mostly behind glass this has less appeal for children. The penny arcade machines will appeal more, but you’ll want to give children a budget. It’s also worth knowing that there are reported ghostly goings on at the castle and while you should be fine in daylight I definitely got a cold feeling in the dining room which has the most sightings. Or maybe I’m just very suggestible? Seasonable opening (normally closed November to Easter).
Nickelodeon Adventure, Grays
My 4 year old absolutely loves Nickelodeon Adventure, but it’s one of those places that as an adult feels underwhelming as there isn’t a huge amount there. There are a number of areas themed around Nick Junior programmes mainly Paw Patrol, SpongeBob Squarepants and The Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtles. It’s great to visit with preschoolers on a school day and it’s all inside which is a bonus. It’s at Lakeside Retail Park which also has lots of shops, restaurants and other entertainment like trampolining, cinema, bowling and even water fountains to splash in. The retail park has free parking.
Audley End Miniature Railway, Saffron Walden
Not to be confused with the English Heritage property Audley End House (which is across the road) the Miniature Railway has a train, playground and various activities. It is a nice place to visit, but their events are a particular favourite. At Easter, Halloween and Christmas they get booked up quickly and the fun train ride includes entertainment and sweets. In the summer you can enjoy the Fairy and Elf Walk where they have lots of elaborate fairy doors as well as fairies to meet. Seasonal opening and wrap up warm if visiting for the Halloween/ Winter events.
Colchester Zoo, Colchester
We have a few mini zoos and farms in Essex, but the biggest and best place to see animals is Colchester Zoo. They have a wide range of animals including crowd pleasers like giraffe, elephants, tigers, baboons and chimpanzees. There are 4 playgrounds scattered around the site, but you might want to distract them from the big one near the entrance if you want to stand a chance of seeing everything (I haven’t managed to see it all in one visit before). It is open all year round so if visiting in cooler months with children prebook a slot in the soft play so you can warm up.
Hylands Estate, Chelmsford
The house itself is a popular wedding venue closed to the public most of the time, but it has beautiful grounds including a formal “pleasure garden” and woodland. The highlight for my children is the adventure playground which is a themed as a castle. They have monthly Estate Open Days (normally the 3rd Sunday of the month) where there are food stalls outside the front of the house and activities inside including crafts for children. In the Stables courtyard there is a cafe and artists studios which often have activities and music sessions on open days too. There are 3 car parks and 2 entrances so if you are just interested in the playground head to the Greenbury Way entrance. You can walk between them all though. They have recently opened a Go Ape on site too.
Adventure Island, Southend-On-Sea
Southend-On-Sea is the most beautiful of seaside destinations and I wouldn’t look at going paddling, but it does have Adventure Island which we love. It has lots of rides that you can go on by buying a wristband or tokens. It is located right on the coast either side of Southend pier. The pier is the longest in the country at 1.3 miles and worth a visit but you have to pay and my children prefer to stay in Adventure Island.
There are some brilliant thrill rides like the Rage rollercoaster as well as rides for little ones. Height restrictions apply and 2 of the thrill rides are age 10 plus only. There is also a LARGE softplay in Adventure Inside, suitable for under 10s it is included in your wristband or you can just pay for the inside area. The outdoor rides are closed completely between mid November and February half term, but the inside area is open all year. It’s worth knowing that if you are visiting with a child under 120cm you only need to buy a wristband for them, because an adult can ride for free when sitting with a young children. You also don’t need a wristband if you aren’t going on any rides yourself. Buy the wristbands in advance online (or through a local PTA) to save money.
Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers
If you visit Marsh Farm midweek in term time it is ok: a few animals, some playgrounds, soft play, adventure golf, an outside role play village and a few rides. You should have a good time, but on event days it is a brilliant day out. They go all out on theming, Instagram worthy backdrops and activities. With 3 indoor spaces they put on shows, discos and other interactive activities and they tend to have roaming characters to meet too. In summer they have a beach area with sand and water and a foam party. The Christmas event is eye-wateringly expensive, but outside of Lapland UK I think it is one of the most magical experiences out there. Seasonal opening plus special events.
Nuclear Races Wild Forest, Brentwood
The opportunity to throw axes and get super muddy won’t appeal to everyone, but it will definitely create moments to remember. Wild Forest is an outdoor activity centre which aims to provide something different. They have obstacle courses for different age groups and a range of activities to try. You need to prebook, but they have sessions for just children which are instructor led (parents aren’t allowed because they find children do better without them) or you can take on a family challenge. Everything is age appropriate with sessions suitable for age 6 up. It’s next to Kelvedon Secret Nuclear Bunker if you fancy a bit of history, but handily for a “secret bunker” it is well signposted.
Old MacDonalds Farm and Fun Park, Brentwood
Old MacDonalds Farm has animals, rides and lots of play areas. If you have driven on the M25 through Essex you will have seen it next to the motorway, but you have to go in to appreciate it fully. It’s probably ideal for children age 3 to 6, but it depends on the children. I felt that it looks a bit tired and some animal areas could do with some love, but my children loved it when we visited and didn’t want to leave. There are lots of sessions where you get to meet the animals which are worth doing (mine stroked a giant tortoise, a giant bunny, a pygamy hedgehog and a normal size pony). There are a few inside parts like the soft play and role play village, but it’s better on dry days.
Wyvernwood, Colchester
Wyvernwood is a creative day out for children where the roaming actors will take them on a magical journey with fairies, wizards and dragons. They can help solve mysteries and enjoy the play areas. It’s all outside though so visit on a dry day. Some areas are under the trees which provide some shade if hot. It’s a great place to visit and let children’s minds run free.
These are some of my favourite places in Essex, but there is so much more to do. Whether you live here or are visiting I have plenty more ideas of where to go in Essex with children in my posts on: free days out, indoor places for rainy (or really hot) days and where to go with teens.
