Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of Old MacDonald?s Farm

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH, Tel: 01206 282000, Email, www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk

Leisure World Colchester is one of East Anglia's largest sports, leisure, recreation and entertainment venues and offers year round fun for all the family. The leisure pool includes outside river rapids ride, water cannons and flumes.

Barlon Road, Little Bromley, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 2PP, Tel: 01634 845944

This delightful country church is surrounded on all sides by flat Essex farmland. The nave is Norman, the chancel of about 1300, and the timber-framed porch 16th century.

47 Mill Road, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5HX, Tel: 01621 853699, Email, www.maldonmuseum.org.uk

Social history museum of Maldon and District situated on the edge of the award winning Promenade Park.

Wenlock Way, High Street, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5AD, Tel: 01621 856503, Email

Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8QG, Tel: 01621 784898, Email, www.mangapps.co.uk

Extensive working railway museum including locomotives, carriages, wagons, historic buildings, memorabilia and major collection of signalling equipment. Much of collection under cover. Train rides every open day.

Marks Hall, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1TG, Tel: 01376 563796, Email, www.markshall.org.uk

A tree collection from all the temperate areas of the world set in more than 200 acres of historic landscape provides interest and enjoyment throughout the year at Marks Hall.

Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, CM3 5WP, Tel: 01245 321552, Email, www.marshfarm.co.uk

Farm trail with pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens, ponies and pets. Daily milking demonstrations, gift shop, tea room, play areas. Please book in advance for group bookings and birthday parties.

Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT, Tel: 01206 573948, Email, www.mercurytheatre.co.uk

A highly respected regional theatre, home to the critically acclaimed Mercury Theatre Company, staging a broad mix of classic plays and new writing as well as working extensively within the local community.

Mersea Island Museum, High Street, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8QD, Tel: 01206 385191, Email, www.merseamuseum.org.uk

Exhibits of Mersea's social history, natural history, archaeology and fishing industry, including a fisherman's cottage display. Special exhibitions and gift shop.

Rewsalls Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8SX, Tel: 01206 385900, www.merseawine.com

Producers of fine wines and real ale (cask and conditioned).

The Walls, Essex, Tel: 01223 582700, Email, www.english-heritage.org.uk

The remains of a church designed by Robert Adam and built in 1776, unusual in having towers at both the east and west ends.

Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8SP, Tel: 01279 813237, Email, www.mountfitchetcastle.com

Mountfitchet Castle Experience is a multi attraction incorporating Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village of 1066, House on the Hill Toy Museum and Dinosaur Encounters.

Roman Road, Mountnessing, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0TZ, Tel: 01245 437677, Email, www.essex.gov.uk

A weatherboarded post mill, restored to working order in 1983. See the huge wood and iron gears, with one pair of stones opened up for viewing. Subject to wind, guided groups may be able to see the sails turning.

Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Essex, CM9 6QA, Tel: 01621 843183, Email, www.museumofpower.org.uk

A former steam pumping station, with power related exhibits, tea room, picnic area and miniature railway. Set in attractive riverside grounds.

Bulls Cross, Enfield, Hertfordshire, EN2 9HG, Tel: 08456 770600, Email, www.visitleevalley.org.uk

Delve into the beautiful eight acres of Myddelton House Gardens and discover the compelling story of Edward Augustus Bowles, one of Britain’s most famous self-taught gardeners, artists and expert botanists.

Loughton Library, Traps Hill, Loughton, Essex, IG10 1HD, Tel: 0208 5020181, Email, www.nationaljazzarchive.org.uk

The NJA is the UK's premier research & info centre for jazz, blues & related music. Concentrating on written, printed & photographic documentation of the music, NJA has amassed a body of information that can truly be considered world class.

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DN, Tel: 01206 282941, www.cimuseums.org.uk

Discover and interesting 'hands-on' perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today. Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition, free entry.

The Naze, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE, Tel: 01255 852519, Email, www.nazetower.co.uk

Sited at the beautiful coastal location of the Naze, this historic 86ft navigational tower houses over eight floors, an art gallery, museum, tea rooms and a roof viewing platform with spectacular panoramic views.