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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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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Number of results: 199

, currently showing 21 to 40.

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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.
Stock Windmill

Address

Mill Lane, Stock, Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 9NE

Telephone
+44 (0)345 603 7624

essex.countryparks@essex.gov.uk

Ingatestone

A medium-sized brick tower mill, c.1816. It has four patent sails, a fantail and three pairs of millstones.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
6 reviews
Thaxted Guildhall

Address

Town Street, Thaxted, Essex, CM6 2LA

Telephone
01371 830856

guildhall@thaxted.co.uk

Thaxted

This magnificent building houses a permanent display of old photographs and objects relating to the history of Thaxted and a small museum. The building is an impressive survival of a market feature, once common throughout the country, built by the…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
333 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
53 reviews
Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discovery Centre

Address

Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6DF

Telephone
+44 (0)1708 520364

ingrebourne@essexwt.org.uk

Hornchurch

Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discover Centre overlooks the fantastic marshland and reedbeds of the river and offers a vast landscape for people to explore and connect with nature in such urban surroundings.
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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
87 reviews
The Naze Nature Discovery Centre

Address

Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE

Telephone
+44 (0)1255 679379

naze@essexwt.org.uk

Walton-on-the-Naze

The Centre is open all year round and houses an education room as well as a café and gift shop. There are a number of displays including fossil and geology displays and information regarding bird migration and sightings.
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
362 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
77 reviews
Langdon Nature Discovery Park

Address

Essex Wildlife Trust, Lower Dunton Road, Basildon, Essex, SS16 6EJ

Telephone
+44 (0)1268 419103

langdon@essexwt.org.uk

Basildon

Set in a stunning nature reserve of 461 acres which comprises woodland, meadows, lakes and former plotland gardens. There are beautiful wildlife gardens and a museum of Plotland Life.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
16 reviews
Mountnessing Postmill

Address

Roman Road, Mountnessing, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 0UG

Telephone
+44 (0)345 603 7624

essex.countryparks@essex.gov.uk

Brentwood

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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
87 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
124 reviews
Thurrock Thameside Nature Discovery Park

Address

Mucking Wharf Road, Mucking, Stanford le Hope, Essex, SS17 0RN

Telephone
+44 (0)1375 643342

TTNP@essexwt.org.uk

Stanford le Hope

A stunning and innovative visitor centre and Nature Park created on a former landfill site, with superb views over the Thames. Explore, play or just enjoy the views!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
293 reviews
Museum of Chelmsford

Address

Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9AQ

Telephone
+44 (0)1245 605700

museums@chelmsford.gov.uk

Chelmsford

Museum of Chelmsford will take you through Chelmsford's history, from the Ice Age, right through to the present day. From the chance to see a mammoth, or watch a princely Anglo-Saxon burial, to finding out what used to be on your street, the museum…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
284 reviews
Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park

Address

Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0EU

Telephone
+44 (0)1206 738172

abberton@essexwt.org.uk

Colchester

One of Europe's top Wetland sites, excellent bird watching opportunities and fabulous views over the reservoir.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4512 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
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!