Essex Outdoor Pursuits & Nature

Brook End Gardens
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Brook End Gardens
The Annual Museum Lecture will be held at the Cramphorn Theatre on Friday 4 March at 8pm. Maureen Scollan will give an illustrated talk entitled 'I Spy Blue Coats: Policing Essex in the 19th and 20th Centuries.' Maureen is well known in Chelmsford as both a retired Essex Police Inspector and a former staff member of the Essex Record Office. She...
Absolutely Bouncy Castles
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Absolutely Bouncy Castles
We are a family run bouncy castle hire company working throughout Essex. We are a family run company est 1995 from chelmsford and working throughout the Essex area, and we pride ourselves on delivering great service at affordable prices. Our goal is to make your event as stress free as possible. Inflatable Safety With all of our inflatable hire...
Chelmsford Museum
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Chelmsford Museum
Set in a park with an adventure play area, the museum offers a nice variety of exhibits, from a fine collection of fossils, a living beehive and British wildlife galleries, to the history of the Essex Regiment and the Essex Yeomanry. The Story of Chelmsford exhibition takes the visitor on a journey in the Chelmer Valley from the Ice Ages to the...
Promenade Park
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Promenade Park
Promenade Park is the District's most popular park and has undergone a major refurbishment in recent years. You can spend all day here, enjoying one or more of the following: Large ornamental lake Amphitheatre and open air stage suitable for hosting theatrical productions and concerts Splash Park water play facility - open from late...
Hylands House and Park
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Hylands House and Park
Hylands Estate, Chelmsford, is to launch a host of corporate team building events at its magnificent Grade II* listed mansion and 574 acres of historic parkland. Chelmsford City Council who own Hylands is arranging the events in collaboration with two expert companies: Right Angle, recently awarded ‘Team Building Experience of the...
Chelmer Park
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Chelmer Park
Chelmer Park is a popular park, specialising in sporting activities. It is home to National League Chelmsford Hockey Club and Chelmsford Cricket Club. The outdoor gym equipment is very popular with people of all ages. A toddlers’ play area is located in one corner. This is surrounded by trees and shady areas. Parents can sit on the...
Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park
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Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park
What can be discovered at the Discovery Centre? Outdoor sport pitches including an all weather, multi-activity, floodlit pitch for five-a-side football, basketball and tennis. Outdoor cycle, walking and trim trails, providing equipment for all ages, including a climbing wall. Educational areas designed for 'understanding the environment'...
Layer Marney Tower
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Layer Marney Tower
England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse offers visitors magnificent views to the Blackwater estuary and beyond. On a clear day you can even see St Cedd’s Chapel on the Dengie peninsular. As you climb the tower you can pause and admire Manderley – the exquisite dolls house made by Pat Camp. Stop at the History Room to learn more about...
The Original Great Maze
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The Original Great Maze
Discover an amazing maize maze a challenging activity for children and a great day out.  If you are new to one of the greatest maze challenges in the world, there is always a lost souls map available and a viewing platform to help you find your way out. Blake House Maize Maze What is it? It's a field of 10 acres of maize with a challenging...
Marsh Farm Country Park & Fort Fun
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Marsh Farm Country Park & Fort Fun
Marsh Farm Country Park is owned and managed by Essex County Council where children can meet the animals and use the indoor / outdoor adventure play areas. It provides an enjoyable and educational day out for all the family and meet and pet farm animals in the Pet Barn where guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets rats, and other animals or just go for a...
The Anchor - Hockley
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The Anchor - Hockley
Indoor play  Area  Not Supervised OPENING TIMES Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm.  Sunday 12noon - 9pm. CHARGES Our children's play area is FREE to use.  Don't forget there is also a children's play area in the garden to keep the kids busy. 
The Gardens of Easton Lodge
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The Gardens of Easton Lodge
This will be the first of two Snowdrop Sundays so grab your wellies and come and see the fantastic display of these beautiful flowers spread out like a carpet under the trees. Gates open at 11.30am and close at 4pm with last entry at 3pm. Adult entry is £4.00 with children FREE. Warm up with bacon rolls and homemade soup which will be...
Thames Valley Mountainboard Club
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Thames Valley Mountainboard Club
Mountainboarding is an awesome action sport like snowboarding on wheels. Our instructors are ATBA-UK Instructor qualified, CRB checked, First Aid qualified, and have ten years of experience Suitable: 12 years and up, adults welcome. Cost: Free Booking: Book your lesson on our website: http://thamesvalley.mountainboard.club or email us at:...
Wat Tyler Country Park
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Wat Tyler Country Park
So much to enjoy... Wat Tyler Country Park offers 125 acres of stunning parkland in the heart of the beautiful south Essex marshes in which to relax and explore. Excellent amenities for a great family day out for all ages. The Wat Tyler Centre and Green Centre offer bright, inviting and flexible spaces to hire for business or pleasure -...
Waldegraves Crazy Golf
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Waldegraves Crazy Golf
Waldegraves ALL NEW Crazy Golf is 9 holes of fun for all the family. With fun character challenges including the Octopus, Dolphin and Crocodile, it will keep all ages amused. A great challenge. You can also have a go at the 18 Hole Pitch & Putt Course or test your golfing skills at the Driving range. All Golfing activities are just...
Lexden Earthworks and Bluebottle Grove
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Lexden Earthworks and Bluebottle Grove
 The banks and ditches of a series of late Iron Age defences protecting the western side of Camulodunum – pre-Roman Colchester. There are also many pre-Roman graves hereabouts, including Lexden Tumulus, allegedly the burial place of the British chieftain Cunobelinus. Read more about the history of the defences. Managed by Colchester...
King Georges Playing Fields
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King Georges Playing Fields
Brentwood Borough Council has brought together local, county and community organisations to declare their commitment to achieving greater success and joined up working by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which establishes that the participants are committed in principle to joint working arrangements. This partnership will seek to...
Southend - Chalkwell Beach
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Southend - Chalkwell Beach
A sandy town beach with plenty of entertainments. Beach Type Sand Facilities Toilets Disabled access First aid Deckchair hire and many shops Cafes and amusements Activities Bathing Local amusements and all the other activities associated with a seaside resort town Nature and Wildlife Explore the miles of beach and the longest...
Castle Park and Gardens
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Castle Park and Gardens
The park includes a children's boating lake, crazy golf & putting green, children's play area, ricket ground with riverside walks, Hollytrees Museum and the cafe. Free entry Open all the time Open dawn to dusk everyday of the year. Park locked in the evenings - check gates for details. Some parts of the park may be closed off during...
Hatfield Forest
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Hatfield Forest
No other forest on Earth evokes the atmosphere of a medieval hunting forest so completely. The ancient trees are like magnificent living sculptures, peaceful giants worn and fragile from centuries of seasons and use. Some of our extraordinary ancient trees are 1,200 years old! Just imagine what these trees have lived through and the...
The Gibberd Garden
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The Gibberd Garden
The Gibberd Garden is an inspirational, Grade II listed garden, full of beauty, peace and tranquillity, where every turn reveals another aspect or a work of art. It was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd, an uncompromising Modernist architect and the master-planner of Harlow New Town, who acquired the site in 1957 and remodelled the house and...
The Moorhen - Harlow
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The Moorhen - Harlow
INDOOR PLAYBARN OPENING TIMES Daily 10am - 7pm. MONTHLY ACTIVITIES Children's Disco. Please ring for details. PONY CLUB PARTIES Available from £5.99 per child - includes playtime, food & party bag. Please ring for details. SUPERVISION / FACILITIES Children must be supervised by parent / guardian. There is a...
Mayhem Paintball - Romford
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Mayhem Paintball - Romford
Mayhem Paintball is an exciting day out for kids hoping to live out their Call of Duty dreams in the Essex countryside! Our wide variety of themed courses and scenarios takes paint balling to another level. It's a great way to get teenagers away from the games console/TV for an active day out and younger children have the option of laser tag. Get...
Thedon Oak
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Thedon Oak
At the Theydon Oak we pride ourselves in providing a fantastic place for families to enjoy a stress free meal in warm surroundings.Enjoy el fresco dining on one of our many patios which overlook our fully enclosed play area.The kids are sure to be kept entertained with our three tier climbing frame with slide,swings,climbing wall, captains deck...
Parndon Wood Nature Reserve
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Parndon Wood Nature Reserve
Parndon Wood Nature Reserve run by ECCO, is officially one of the finest parks in the country, after receiving a sought after Green Flag award, retained in 2015 for the seventh consecutive year. Green Flag Awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country. The Reserve is the first open space in Harlow to be put forward and accepted for...
Abbotts Bouncy Castles
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Abbotts Bouncy Castles
We are a family run Bouncy Castle, Soft Play and Inflatable Games hire company based in Thurrock, Essex. Please contact us on 01708909901 or 07939634123 for more details. We have many themes available including Princess and Super Heroes to name but a few. We also have larger inflatables suitable for Schools and events including School Bouncy...
M & B Sports and Social Club
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M & B Sports and Social Club
Family pub, all ages welcome, live entertainment at weekends. Outdoor play and adventure trail for children! MON:      11am - 11.00 pm TUE:       11 am- 11.00 pm WED :       4 pm- 11.00 pm THUR:    11 am- 11.00 pm ...
East Town Park Countryside Centre
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East Town Park Countryside Centre
Facilities include: children's play area circular easy access trail suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and people with reduced mobility disabled toilet picnic area reserved parking for disabled visitors baby changing facilities recycling point for cans and plastic bottles The centre is open from 11am until 4pm...
The Henry Moore Foundation
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The Henry Moore Foundation
At Perry Green you will find Henry Moore’s former house and studios, as well as outdoor sculpture displays and galleries.  Opening times Sculpture grounds and house Tuesday to Friday 10am - 5pm (studios and gallery from 1pm) All open Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holiday Mondays 10am - 5pm Pre-booking is needed...
Rainham Marshes
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Rainham Marshes
Together with our supporters, we're giving nature a home so that birds and wildlife can thrive again. We always want to hear your questions, comments and suggestions and will do our best to help. If you're having issues taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch, have a query or any feedback then drop us a line at birdwatch@rspb.org.uk Admission: ...
Chafford Hundred - Grays
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Chafford Hundred - Grays
PLAYZONE - (Indoor Play Building) OPENING TIMES During meal service times. PARENT & TODDLER Monday & Friday 10am - 11am. PARTY PACKAGES Thursday 10am - 11am. Held by an outside organisation. Please see in-house or contact us for further details. CHARGES Free of charge The Playzone is an attraction for...
Audley End House and Gardens
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Audley End House and Gardens
King Henry VIII gave Walden Abbey to Sir Thomas Audley, who transformed it into his mansion, Audley End. Despite ups and downs in its fortunes, Audley End remains one of England’s grandest country homes with over 30 lavishly decorated rooms to enjoy and explore. The sumptuous interior is largely due to the third Baron Braybrooke who...
Clare Castle Country Park
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Clare Castle Country Park
Situated to the south of the picturesque, historic town of Clare, just two minutes' walk from the town centre, Clare Castle Country Park is a beautiful quiet area to relax, play, get close to nature and learn about Clare's fascinating history. The park contains the remains of the 13th Century stone castle keep set upon its 70ft high...
Kentwell Hall
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Kentwell Hall
Kentwell Hall is a stately home in Long Melford, Suffolk, England. It includes the hall, outbuildings, and a rare breeds farm and gardens.
TopGolf
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TopGolf
TopGolf is a driving range with a different; we love having kids come over and play our various games and enjoy a fun, active and safe day. Always popular with parents and families during the summer, TopGolf is a great way to get the kids out of the house and take up a new sport.
Rye Meads Nature Reserve
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Rye Meads Nature Reserve
This urban nature reserve has something to offer everyone and will appeal to families, walkers, birdwatchers and photographers. It is a great place to relax and wind down, listen to birdsong, see flocks of wild ducks and enjoy views of lakes, meadows and marshes.
Sheerness Beach
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Sheerness Beach
A substantial sea defence wall, which forms the promenade, is a distinctive characteristic of this gently sloping sand and shingle beach at the mouth of the Thames and Medway estuaries. Gardens and a leisure complex separate the town centre from the beach
Bartons Point Coastal Park
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Bartons Point Coastal Park
The stunning Bartons Point Coastal Park is located on the edge of Sheerness with large grass areas for walking and recreation. The lake features crab, eel, flounder and bass plus you can pick up simple crabbing equipment (and your fishing permit) from the boat house cafe. You can also do year round sailing, windsurfing, kayaking or paddle...
Rye House Gatehouse
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Rye House Gatehouse
Rye House Gatehouse was one of the first brick built buildings in the country. The house formed the hub of what was a large estate for its time. Rye House is also known as one of the finest medieval moated sites in Hertfordshire.  It is also an important place in the country's history, the Rye House Plot – the...
Rye-Assic Adventure Park
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Rye-Assic Adventure Park
Our Indoor Dinodrome soft play area has three zones - the Soccer Cage, Big Red Bus and Giants’ Play Station - all close enough for parents to keep a watchful eye on their charges from the comfort of the coffee shop and viewing enclosure. There is also an educational lounge and gift shop. An outdoor play area centres around a pirate...
Here you will find a combined list of outdoor pursuits and outdoor play or anything related to the great outdoors in and near Essex, catering for you, your child, and your family. This could include hiking, climbing, camping, canoeing, pot holing, mountain biking and other out activities, or simply a stroll around the countryside or in a nearby park. We provide information on outdoor pursuits by county, city or by activity. This could also include rope bridges, climbing frames and outdoor lido pools and any beaches in or near Essex.