Attractions in Essex

With so many great attractions in Essex suitable for a range of ages, there’s never an excuse to be bored, no matter the time of year. Discover hidden gems and iconic days out in Essex! For our official list of Top 50 Icons of Essex, including attractions as voted for by the public, click here.

Family Friendly Attractions

Discover outstanding family friend attractions in Essex, from thrilling theme parks to exciting animal encounters! If you’re looking for a great family day out in Essex, then you’ve come to the right place. Make memories with your loved ones at amazing attractions such as Adventure Island, taking on raging rollercoasters and enjoying the view from the big wheel. Come face to face with a roaring lion at Colchester Zoo, reconnect with nature at our wildlife centres, or enjoy a steam train ride at Audley End Miniature Railway. There’s something for all ages in Essex.

Historical Sites in Essex

There’s a great abundance of fantastic history and heritage attractions in Essex. Explore the grounds of England’s best kept Norman keep, Hedingham Castle, or delve into the rich Roman history of Britian’s First City at Colchester Castle Museum. Visit the chapel founded by the Patron Saint of Essex, St Cedd, or gaze upon a woolly mammoth at the Saffron Walden Museum, just one of many amazing museums in Essex. There’s many wonderful historical sites and attractions in county that make for intriguing days out.

Outdoor Activities

Thanks to our 350-mile coastline and beautiful countryside, there’s some amazing outdoor activities in Essex to enjoy. If you love being out on the water, enjoy a peaceful boat trip along the beautiful Chelmer & Blackwater Canal. For a more adventurous day out in Essex, why not try your hand at some exciting water sports, such as paddling and kayaking along the rivers and coastline? If you’re more into the country than the coast, head to one of our many breathtaking parks or gardens for a picnic, or enjoy a vineyard tour at one of our local Essex vineyards.

Art and Cultural Venues

Dive into a little bit of culture for your next day out in Essex – head to an exhibition at a local art gallery, such as Firstsite in Colchester, and enjoy a display of dazzling paintings and sculptures. For an evening of entertainment, take a look at what’s on at one of the many theatres in Essex. From side-achingly funny comedy shows to dramatic productions and live music, there’s always something to suit everyone’s taste.

Events and Festivals in Essex

There is never a dull moment with so many events in Essex taking place every month. With car and flower shows, outstanding music festivals and food fairs, it’s easy to create lifelong memories over the summer in Essex. With seasonal events taking place throughout the year – Christmas markets, Easter egg hunts, and scary Halloween mazes – there’s always something to look forward to taking place in our wonderful county. Experience events in Essex that people travel miles for, such as Maldon Mud Race and the infamous Clacton Airshow.

Plan your Visit to Essex

Are you headed to Essex for a short break in the UK? We’re here to help you plan your visit! Here, you’ll find everything you need from great accommodation and restaurants to amazing attractions and things to see and do. Take a look at our maps and guides, as well as our travel information, to make getting around Essex simple and easy.

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Theme Parks

Adventure Island is the U.K's No.1 FREE ADMISSION Fun Park. Situated on Southend-on-Sea's famous seafront, with over 40 fabulous rides and attractions including the outrageous RAGE roller coaster.
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Animal Encounters
Vineyards, Breweries and Distilleries
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Number of results: 199

, currently showing 21 to 40.

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4511 reviews
Adventure Island

Address

Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 443400

enquiries@stockvale.co.uk

Southend-on-Sea

Adventure Island is the U.K's No.1 FREE ADMISSION Fun Park. Situated on Southend-on-Sea's famous seafront, with over 40 fabulous rides and attractions including the outrageous RAGE roller coaster.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
361 reviews
Belfairs Woodland Nature Discovery Park

Address

Eastwood Road North, Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, SS9 4LR

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 477467

belfairs@essexwt.org.uk

Leigh-On-Sea

Belfairs Woodland Centre introduces visitors to the 1160-acre Living Landscape, a third of which is woodland, including a number of outstanding sites valuable for nature conservation.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
334 reviews
Hanningfield Nature Discovery Park

Address

Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay, Essex, CM11 1WT

Telephone
+44 (0)1268 711001

hanningfield@essexwt.org.uk

Billericay

Set in beautiful woodland with views over the reservoir Hanningfield is the perfect place to walk, explore and play.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
50 reviews
Chafford Gorges Nature Park

Address

Drake Road, Chafford Hundred Grays, Thurrock, RM16 6RG

Telephone
01375 484016

deanw@essexwt.org.uk

Chafford Hundred Grays

Set in a spectacular position over looking Warren Gorge. Chafford Gorges nature park offers 200 acres of green space for numerous wildlife and recreation for the 12,500 people living in Chafford Hundred.
Beeleigh Steam Mill

Address

Abbey Turning, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6LL

Telephone
0345 603 7624

essex.countryparks@essex.gov.uk

Maldon

Visit by appointment only
This historical mill is one of the most attractive and fascinating in East Anglia. Once a major mill site, working up until the early 20th century, Beeleigh Steam Mill includes a rare Wentworth beam engine, elephant…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
298 reviews
Myddelton House Gardens

Address

Bulls Cross, Enfield, Hertfordshire, EN2 9HG

Telephone
+44 (0)3000 030 610

info@leevalleypark.org.uk

Enfield

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.
Waltham Abbey Gardens

Address

Abbey View, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1XQ

Telephone
+44 (0)3000 030 610

info@leevalleypark.org.uk

Waltham Abbey

Set in the grounds of the Abbey, you can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Rose Gardens and Orchard, explore hundreds of years of history, enjoy a picnic or take a stroll along Cornmill Stream.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
20 reviews
Bedford's Park Nature Discovery Centre

Address

Bedfords Park, Broxhill Road, Havering-atte-Bower, Romford, Essex, RM4 1QH

Telephone
+44 (0)1708 748646

bedfords@essexwt.org.uk

Romford

The Nature Discovery Centre is situated in 215 acres of historic parkland. Walk, explore and discover with Essex Wildlife Trust by visiting today!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
173 reviews
Saffron Walden Museum

Address

Museum Street, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10 1JL

Telephone
+44 (01)799 510333

museum@uttlesford.gov.uk

Saffron Walden

Friendly, family-size museum. Exhibits include moccasins, mummy cases, woolly mammoths and Wallace the Lion! Meadow for picnics with castle ruins. Winner Best Museum of social history. Accessible for disabled visitors.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
8 reviews
Prior's Hall Barn

Address

Widdington, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 3ZB

Telephone
01223 582700

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Saffron Walden

One of the finest surviving medieval barns in south east England and representative of the aisled barns found in north west Essex.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
32 reviews
Mistley Towers

Address

The Walls, Mistley, Essex

Telephone
+44 (0)1223 582700

customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Mistley

This is a rare example of Robert Adam's ecclesiastical work. Originally it was a parish church, St. Mary the Virgin, that had been built in the 18th century in the Georgian style. Sadly the two towers are now all that remain.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
88 reviews
Thorndon Nature Discovery Centre

Address

Thorndon Park North, The Avenue, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3RZ

Telephone
01277 232944

Thorndon@essexwt.org.uk

Brentwood

Home to the Gruffalo trail Thorndon has a lot to offer for all ages, glorious woodland walks and a café with a view of the trees and squirrels. The woods are open for dog walkers and the trail path is buggy friendly. Come and explore the outdoors…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
119 reviews
St Botolphs Priory

Address

Priory Street, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7EE

Colchester

12th Century Augustinian priory ruins.
Beach Huts for Weekly hire

Address

Clacton-on-Sea Seafront /Walton-on-the-Naze Seafront, Clacton on Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex

Telephone
01255 686702

beachhuts@tendringdc.gov.uk

Clacton on Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
136 reviews
Harlow Playhouse

Address

Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS

Telephone
01279 431945

Playhouse.Boxoffice@Harlow.Gov.Uk

Harlow

We provide a programme of quality wide-ranging work across our 400-seat and 120-seat theatres, as well as other reach-out locations, and provide space and support to many artists, groups, and companies throughout the year in our three dynamic studio…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1703 reviews
Audley End House and Gardens

Address

Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4JF

Telephone
+44 (0)1799 522842

CustomerCare@English-Heritage.org.uk

Saffron Walden

Visit Essex's hidden treasure house to explore delightful gardens and acres of parkland and experience the upstairs and downstairs life of one of England’s grandest houses. Discover its staterooms, nursery and fascinating artefacts and meet our…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
533 reviews
Tiptree Tea Room, Shop & Museum

Address

Tiptree Tea Room,Shop & Museum, Wilkin & Sons Ltd, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex, CO5 0RF

Telephone
+44 (0)1621 814524

tiptree@tiptree.com

Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester

Tiptree is the home of the Wilkin family - where from 1885 the first Tiptree jam was made. Delightful museum, tea room and gift shop.
Southend Cliff Lift

Address

Western Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1EE

Telephone
+44 (0)1702 215620

vic@southend.gov.uk

Southend-on-Sea

The Historic Cliff Lift has a valuable position in modern Southend, offering a practical and enjoyable way for people to gain access between the seafront and the Clifftown area.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
86 reviews
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park

Address

South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester, Essex, CO5 7DN

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 729678

fingringhoe@essexwt.org.uk

Colchester

Nature reserve over 200 acres of mixed habitat on the Colne Estuary. Nature trails, wheelchair access, bird hides, gift shop and visitor centre with tea room. Friendly atmosphere. Regular events for adults and children.
Chigborough Lakes

Address

Chigborough Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4RD

Telephone
01621 862960

admin@essexwt.org.uk

Maldon

An area of worked-out flooded gravel pits to the north of the River Blackwater. It has a variety of habitats including Willow Carr, open water, small ponds and marshy areas, rough grassland, and willow and hawthorn scrub.