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 eastern side of Essex - Tiptree, Witham, South Woodham Ferrers, Colchester, Southend, Maldon, Halstead, Manningtree, Dedham, Harwich, Clacton, Canvey Island, Sudbury (Suffolk), Ipswich (Suffolk), Felixstowe (Suffolk), Woodbridge (Suffolk)

Click here for 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)

	Marsh Farm is a working farm where children can get close to farm animals and play safely in our adventure play areas. There is also a Country Park, which boasts excellent coastal walks and superb views of the River Crouch.An exciting array of activities and experiences await visitors including tractor and trailer rides, a bouncy castle, ride on tractors, craft activities, and a magic show. In addition to these activities, young farmers will discover life on a working farm, as they get to see young piglets, cuddle a bunny, feed the sheep, and watch the cows being milked. They can also ride on a pony or donkey and then you can relax in a deckchair, whilst the children play in the sandpit or large outdoor play area.	Marsh Farm Country Park Marsh Farm Road South Woodham Ferrers Essex, CM3 5WP Telephone Line: 01245 321552 Fax: 01245 323163 Email: marshfarm@essex.gov.uk

	Tropical Wings at South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, is set in acres of attractive gardens and features one of the largest butterfly houses in the country. There are many different species of birds, insects and animals, and we pride ourselves on encouraging interaction where possible.	Tropical Wings Wickford Road South Woodham Ferrers Essex CM3 5QZ Tel: 01245 425394

	. The site offers excellent birdwatching opportunities over the 1200 acre reservoir, which is a Wetland of International Importance. There are facilities for the disabled in the Visitor Centre and boardwalk access to 2 of the 5 hides. The Visitor Centre is 6 miles SW of Colchester on the B1026 (a minor road linking Colchester and Maldon)..	Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre, Church Rd Layer-de-la-Haye Colchester, CO2 0EU Tel: 01206 738172

	Lots of rides including the rapids, rides for tiny tots in this fantasy land.	Peter Pans Adventure Island Sunken Gardens Western Esplanade Southend - on - Sea Essex SS1 1EE Tel: 01702 443400

	The ground was once the site of a house called Roots Hall, and had been used previously by a team called Southend Athletic FC, now used by Southend United FC	Roots Hall Victoria Avenue Southend-on-Sea Essex SS2 6NQ Tel : 01702 304050

	Based in the original library building of 1906. Planetarium, Southend Museum - A chance to explore the night sky. Discovery Centre, Southend Museum Opened in 2000, the Discovery Centre is full of 'hands-on' activities for everyone to enjoy	Central Museum/ Planetarium/ Discovery Centre Southend-on-Sea Essex Tel : 01702 434449

	Exhibits include a 'Sectioned' Ford Fiesta, Joseph Evans Reliable Steam Pump No. 19473, built in 1916, and a 'Coles' Crane. Langford and Beeleigh Railway - The main line that now encircles the museum building is vertually complete.	Museum of Power Steam Pumping Station Hatfield Road Langford Maldon, Essex CM9 6QA tel: 01621 843183

	This Animal rescue centre is home to over 2,000 rescued animals and birds ranging in size from Mice to Shire horses including Cats and Dogs, infact most indigenous species. Many of these animals roam around the site freely (where practical and safe) for you to fuss over and enjoy.	Mistley Place Park Animal Rescue Centre New Road Mistle Near Manningtree Essex CO1 11ER Tel; 01206 396048

	Providing people, particularly children, with an opportunity to meet healthy, contented farm animals is the secondary aim of Baylham House Farm. The primary aim is to care for our livestock and help to maintain the national pool of endangered rare breed farm animals. The farm has four different breeds of cattle and seven small breeding flocks of rare sheep. The pig collection includes some exceedingly friendly Maori pigs from New Zealand called Kune Kunes and we also breed Large Blacks, Berkshires and Middle Whites. The farm also breeds poultry and pygmy goats.	Baylham House Farm Baylham House Farm is six miles North West of Ipswich, between Ipswich and Stowmarket. Tel: 01473 830 264

	Clacton Pier boasts new Fairground Rides, a fully renovated undercover fairground, the Seaquarium, which is fully accessible for wheelchairs, a public house, restaurants, cafes, shops, side-stalls, amusement arcades and many more attractions.	Clacton Pier Clacton on Sea Essex Tel : 01255 421115

	Live steam miniature railway suitable for children from 6 to 60! (approx length 2/3 mile) The club sports an impressive 4400 feet of 7.25 "ground level track ( part of which caters for 5" gauge) and 1440 feet of raised level "Water Wings" offering drivers of 5" & 3.5" engines plenty of track to stretch their engines "coupling rods".Licensed bar, café.	Canvey Model Railway Waterside Farm Centre. Canvey Island Essex Telephone: 01268 413235

	An award winning museum devoted to the Suffolk Horse breed (also known as the Suffolk Punch) of heavy working horse, the oldest such breed in the world and probably the most perfect working animal ever bred by man.The Museum includes the history of the breed and its Society, and the work of the blacksmith and the harness maker, shows and showing, the horses' work and the life of the horseman, in displays, paintings and exceptional early photographs.	Heavy Horse Museum Shire Hall Market Hill Woodbridge Telephone: 01394 380643,

	The Visitor Centre - the Trust's first - was opened in 1975. With the superb Colne estuary on its doorstep, and surrounded by one of the finest nature reserves in the county, it is attractive to families, organised wildlife groups, school parties and walkers. www.essexwt.org.uk. Three miles south-east of Colchester.	Fingringhoe Wick Visitor Centre South Green Road Fingringhoe Essex, CO5 7DN Tel: 01206 729678.

	The site offers excellent birdwatching opportunities over the 1200 acre reservoir, which is a Wetland of International Importance. There are facilities for the disabled in the Visitor Centre and boardwalk access to 2 of the 5 hides. www.essexwt.org.uk. The Visitor Centre is 6 miles SW of Colchester on the B1026 (a minor road linking Colchester and Maldon).	Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre, Church Rd Layer-de-la-Haye Colchester, CO2 0EU Tel: 01206 738172.

	Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.	Colchester United FC Weston Homes Community Stadium, United Way Colchester Essex

	The Natural History Museum gives a hands on perspective of the local environment. This is a small museum housed in an unused church opposite Colchester Castle at the end of the High Street. The collection consists of exhibits of local wildlife. Opening times Mon-Sat 10am - 5pm all year round Sun 11am - 5pm. Admission FREE	Natural History Museum High Street Colchester Essex Tel; 01206 282941

	Tymperleys Clock Museum is housed in a 15th Century timber framed house that was once home to William Gilberd, scientist and physician to Queen Elizabeth I. It is now home to Colchester's fine collection of clocks and watches. The Museum houses part of the famous Bernard Mason Collection and is one of the largest collections of clocks in Britain. All the clocks were made in Colchester between 1640 and 1840 and give a fascinating insight into this specialist trade.	Tymperleys Clock Museum Trinity Street Colchester Essex Tel: 01206 282927

	Colchester Zoo has some of the best cat and primate collections in Europe. See a White Tiger eye to eye in White Tiger Valley, or get closer to the Zoo's Chimpanzees at Chimp World.	Colchester Zoo Maldon Road Colchester Essex Tel; 01206 331292

	150 years of railway history.	East Anglian Railway Museum Chappel Station Colchester Essex Tel:01206 242524

	Picturesque watermill - a National Trust Property The mill was originally built as a fishing lodge in 1591 and features stepped ‘Dutch’ gables. It was converted in the 19th century to a mill for fulling (a process in cloth manufacture) and later flour milling. The waterwheel is in working order.	Bourne Mill Bourne Road Colchester Essex CO2 8RT Tel: 01206 572 422

	The Norman Keep at Hedingham castle is one of the finest in the country. It was built around 1140 for Aubrey de Vere II, and was probably designed by William de Corbeuil, Archbishop of Canterbury, who also designed the similar great tower at Rochester Castle. There is a magnificent banqueting hall, minstrel’s gallery and a fine Norman arch set in beautiful grounds with peaceful woodland and lakeside walks.	Castle Hedingham Halstead Essex CO9 3DJ Tel: 01787 460261

	Three floors of Arts, Crafts & studio workshops	Dedham Art & Craft Centre High Street Dedham Essex Tel: 01206 322 666

	An anti-Napoleonic circular fort commanding the harbour.Eleven guns on battlements.	Harwich Redoubt Fort Behind 29 Main Road Harwich Essex CO12 3LT Tel; 01255 503429

Places of Interest in Essex	Places to take the Kids in Essex	Places to Eat and Drink in Essex
Homepage	Accommodation in Essex	*Advertise*

We welcome your contributions to this page - please email us with any suggestions and additions - Thank You

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

C Innkeeper online UK accommodation may2000

Things to do with the Kids - Essex

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