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Things to do in Essex

Essex covers 2 towns with 241 things to do mapped in total, with options spanning playgrounds, country parks & forests and gardens. The widest choice is around Colchester and Harlow.

The mix includes 120 free to visit, 27 indoor and 128 outdoors, so there is something whatever the weather. Pick an area below to see what is closest to you.

Among the attractions worth knowing about are Colchester Zoo, Wyvernwood, Colchester Castle, Layer Marney Tower and Castle Mound — follow any of them through for the address and what else is close by.

What’s on offer in Essex

  1. 01
    Playgrounds
    Outdoor play areas and swings — including Westlands Country Park Childrens Play Area and Zip Wire.
    61 places
  2. 02
    Country Parks & Forests
    Woodland trails and open countryside — including Wivenhoe Park and High Woods Country Park.
    43 places
  3. 03
    Gardens
    Planted grounds and glasshouses — including Sensory Garden and Victorian Shrub Garden.
    14 places
  4. 04
    Museums
    Galleries and exhibitions — including Restoration Shed and Natural History Museum.
    8 places
  5. 05
    Art Galleries
    Changing art exhibitions — including Colchester Gallery and Original Art Shop.
    6 places
  6. 06
    Swimming Pools
    Lane swimming and family sessions — including Aqua Splash Redricks Lakes and Bishop's Stortford College Swimming Pool.
    5 places

Browse areas

Colchester3Harlow1

Good to know

How many things are there to do in Essex?

This guide maps 241 places to visit across Essex, spread across 2 towns. Browse the areas on this page to narrow them down by the kind of day out you want.

What are the best-known attractions in Essex?

Recognisable names in Essex include Colchester Zoo, Wyvernwood, Colchester Castle and Layer Marney Tower. Each has its own page with location, attributes and nearby alternatives.

Where can I find free things to do in Essex?

120 of the places listed for Essex are free to enter, among them parks, beaches and nature spots. The "Free things to do" view gathers them together.

What is there to do in Essex on a rainy day?

27 indoor options are recorded across Essex — soft play, museums, bowling and the like — so a wet day need not stop a visit. The "Indoor" view lists them.

Is the information on Essex kept up to date?

Listings are drawn from open mapping data and refreshed as places are added or change. Opening hours and prices are best confirmed with each venue before visiting.