Family fun

 

Throughout Essex there are many great attractions to visit and, whatever your interests, you can be sure of many enjoyable days out. Take advantage of the longer days to discover all that the county has to offer.

Animals are always popular with children and at Colchester Zoo you will certainly find a wonderful collection. Don't miss ‘Spirit of Africa', the elephant enclosure. Only at Tropical Wings Zoo can you see woolly sheep pigs from Hungary, who have now had 8 new pigglets.  Here you can also visit the 'Dragons of Komodo' and see the twin meerkats. Alternatively, for more domesticated animals, try Marsh Farm Country Park at South Woodham Ferrers or Barleylands Farm or Old MacDonald's Farm where children of all ages can meet and feed farm animals, ride the mini tractors around the farm and let off steam in the adventure play area.

Why not escape to one of our country parks or open spaces? With no less than 14 country parks throughout the county they are perfect for a stroll or a family picnic. The Essex Ranger Service has developed a great programme of events and activities for children of all ages and interests. Cudmore Grove Country Park at East Mersea has the added attraction of a quiet beach and long views over the Blackwater Estuary. Essex has one of the longest coastlines of any English county and a number of excellent blue flag beaches at Dovercourt, Brightlingsea and 3 in Southend-on-Sea. For more traditional fun head to Clacton-on-Sea for some fun-packed rides on the pier.

Re-live the age of steam at the East Anglian Railway Museum, Mangapps Railway Museum or the Colne Valley Railway where you can enjoy dining services in a beautiful Pullman carriage. Alternatively go to Audley End where a miniature steam train merrily puffs one-and-a-half miles through the woods passing small cuddly toys positioned throughout the treescape. For a different type of train experience enjoy a train ride that takes passengers the 1.33 miles down the longest pleasure pier in the world at Southend-on-Sea. Then spend some time at Adventure Island where more than 32 rides will ensure children of all ages will have the time of their life. Then go underwater at the Sea Life Adventure for a walk through the shark tunnel.

For those who like to live life at a fast pace, go along to Colchester's Rollerworld, a massive rollerskating rink (the best in Europe!) and Indikart's go-cart track. Colchester Castle, Hollytrees and Natural History Museums are fun places to visit at anytime and have hands-on activities and lots of special events.

For more historic attractions take the family to Audley End House and Gardens. Audley End is fascinating and beautiful. Set in Capability Brown grounds, it remains one of Britain's grandest country homes. In the newly opened stables block are four handsome horses - Bonny, Captain, Smoke and Duke - and if you are lucky they might let you stroke them. 

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