Childrens & family attractions in Essex - Things to do with the Kids


	Things to do with the Kids - Essex

On this page we have listed family attractions and things to do with the kids in towns on the western side of Essex - Chelmsford, Waltham Abbey, Brentwood, Stansted, Great Dunmow, Saffron Walden, Romford, Basildon, Harlow, Grays, Thaxted, Epping, Tilbury, Billericay, Rainham, Stevenage (Herts), Bishop's Stortford (Herts), Hertford (Herts), Ware (Herts), Haverhill (Suffolk)

Click here for family attractions and things to do with the kids in towns on the eastern side of Essex - Witham, South Woodham Ferrers, Colchester, Southend, Maldon, Halstead, Manningtree, Dedham, Harwich, Clacton, Canvey Island, Sudbury (Suffolk), Ipswich (Suffolk), Felixstowe (Suffolk), Woodbridge (Suffolk)

	461 Acres of woodland, meadows and lake to explore by foot, bike or horse. Visitor centre with refreshments. 1930's house - take a step back in time. Kids activity booklets, activity packs and self guided walks available at any time. Children's activities available throughout school holidays. Centre and reserve open 9.00am - 5.00pm Tues - Sun. Open bank holidays.	Essex Wildlife Trust, Langdon Nature Reserve Third Avenue Lower Dunton Road Basildon, Essex SS16 6EB. Tel 01268 419103.

	Riverside Ice and Leisure provides a focus for leisure in Chelmsford with a range of facilities that is both unique and extensive. Main Pool is a 33.3 by 12.5 metre, six lane. This Ice Rink has the latest in sound and lighting effects combine with a lively disco atmosphere. It's also home of the Chelmsford Chieftains Ice Hockey Team. indoor, competition pool.	Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre Victoria Road Chelmsford Essex, CM1 1FG Tel: 01245 615050

	The artillery fort at Tilbury protected London until the dawn of the 20th century. Henry VIII built the first fort and, nearby, Elizabeth I rallied her army waiting for the Armada. The present fort, the most complete example of its type in England, was begun in 1672 under Charles II. It supported powerful artillery to stop warships, a garrison to repel a land attack, and two magazines that stored vast quantities of gunpowder. English Heritage. Charges apply..	Tilbury Fort Tilbury Located ½ mile E of Tilbury off A126 Tel: 01375 858489

	Leisure & Recreation Centres in Essex	Go Wild in Chelmsford RIVERMEAD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE CHELMSFORD ESSEX CM1 1PD Tel:01245 347272

	Set on the southern outskirts of Harlow. The wood is composed of a canopy of oak tree standards with hornbeam trees growing beneath. The reserve is also a haven for flora, fungi, birds, minibeasts, small mammals and deer and is a beautiful and peaceful place to wander whether on your own, with family of with friends. Visitors can follow the guided trail around the wood or simply enjoy the surroundings. There are observation hides to sit quietly and watch for deer or birds setting down by the ponds. The wood also offers a fully accessible conservation centre with toilets, meeting room, laboratory, leaflets, displays and a reference library for those who wish to know more.	Parndon Wood Nature Reserve Parndon Wood Road Harlow Essex Tel: 01279 430005

	Spend the day exploring the Trust's largest nature reserve which covers 120 acres. There are shallow wetlands, reedbeds, horse-grazed pasture, scrub and woodland. These harbour an impressive range of animals and plants including the rare black poplar tree. This site is a haven for birds, with around 200 different species recorded here over the years - from teal and shoveler in winter, woodpeckers and kingfisher all year, to a range of scarce and rare birds especially during migration. The Chase is popular with winter bird watchers but has plenty of all-year-round wildlife to interest visitors.	Chase - London Wildlife Trust Dagenham Road Rainham London E10 7LH Tel: 020 8593 8096

	The Forest’s leisure facilities include 45 football pitches, an 18-hole public golf course and three cricket pitches. Cross-country running is also popular, while horse riders have 85km of tracks to explore (horses can be hired locally). Walking and picnicking are popular and there are opportunities for boating, fishing and model aircraft flying at specific locations within the Forest. Some easy access paths are provided for those with restricted mobility.	The Epping Forest Information Centre Epping Forest Tel: 020 8508 0028

	Grays Beach with Britain's biggest play galleon, it's unique and lots of fun. There's an 18 hole adventure golf course, a children's driving school, skittles, hose hockey, air maze, pedal go-karts, zippy dipper and a balloon typhoon. Supervised water play area in Summer months. All this plus a Café, trees, grass and a promenade overlooking the Thames.	Grays Beach Riverside Park Thames Road Grays Thurrock Essex Tel. 01375 386759.

	Thaxted Church is one of the grandest in the county of Essex, 183 feet long and 87 feet wide, and so beautiful that it may well claim to be the Cathedral of Essex. The Church stands on a hill and dominates the town. From whichever direction the visitor approaches, the splendid spire can be seen many miles away. It has been described as the finest parish church in the country, and has both beauty and grandeur. There is an excellent 'walk around' guide in the church available to visitors.	Thaxted Church The Vicarage Watling Street Thaxted, CM6 2QY Tel. 01371 830221

	The building often referred to as Hertford Castle is in fact the gatehouse. The castle itself no longer stands but occupied the enclosed area behind the gatehouse. For 300 years a Royal Palace stood within the flint walls having previously been one of a series of castles built for defence purposes. James I of Scotland was a prisoner at Hertford Castle, as were the Templars. Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood at both Hatfield House and Hertford Castle.	The Castle Hertford SG14 1HR Hertfordshire Tel; 01992 552885

	Educational farm park set in 17 acres of Essex countryside, birds, animals etc	Old MacDonalds Educational Farm Park Weald Road South Weald Brentwood Essex Tel: 01277 375177

	The Trust shop offers a wide range of quality goods. The display area contains interactive displays. The Centre has wheelchair access and a disabled person's toilet. A wheelchair can be provided on request. www.essexwt.org.uk	Thorndon Countryside Centre The Avenue Brentwood, CM13 3RZ. Tel: 01277 232944.

	In the grounds of Bedfords Park, an historic parkland site owned and managed by London Borough of Havering. Exotic trees such as cedar of Lebanon, holm oak, monkey-puzzle, giant redwood and yew. Wonderful Wildflower Meadows, varied woodland, several ponds and a lake, as well as a captive herd of Red Deer. Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Hobby. Wild deer are often seen. Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies. Footpaths, bridleway and cycleway.	Bedfords Park Visitor Centre Broxhill Road Harold Hill Romford Essex, RM4 1QH. Tel: 01708 748646.

	Voted Essex Attraction Of The Year 2002 By The Good Britain Guide - THE CASTLE TIME FORGOT	Mountfitchet Castle & House On The Hill Toy Museum Stansted Essex, CM24 8SP Tel 01279 813237

	Mole Hall Wildlife Park was first opened to the public in 1963 and now covers over 20 acres of grounds and gardens, which surround the original moated manor house (private), which dates from 1287. The flamingos enjoy wading in the moat surrounding Mole Hall House	Mole Hall Wildlife Park & Butterfly Pavilion Widdington Saffron Walden Essex CB11 3SS Tel: 01799-540400

	The only museum in the world devoted to the history of motor boats. Admission is free	The Motorboat Museum Wat Tyler Country Park Basildon Essex, SS16 4UH Tel: 01268 550077


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Childrens & family attractions in Essex - Things to do with the Kids - Days out in Essex

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Things to do with the Kids - Essex

Childrens & family attractions in Essex - Things to do with the Kids - Days out in Essex