101 Things to Do in Essex

Discover 101 things to do outdoors in Essex. Country parks, historic attractions, wildlife spotting, hide and seek and more. Fun things to do outdoors with the family in Essex. 

This year make a resolution to get out more, have fun in the great outdoors, spot wildlife, research your family history, get fit and healthy or learn a new skill. These are just a few of the challenges suggested by Explore Essex, the new brand for Essex County Council’s Culture and Green Spaces team.

Explore Essex is running a year-long ‘Explore Essex 2020 Challenge’ to get the people of Essex out and about enjoying their local country parks, historic venues and coastal landscapes. 

Everyone who completes 20 challenges will be awarded with a certificate. To share images of you and your family taking part in the challenge simply hashtag #ExploreEssexChallenge and you could win an Explore Essex hamper which includes a £50 gift card to Braintree Village. 

Things to do in Essex

Can you take 20 of the Explore Essex 2020 Challenge?

1. Capability Brown was one of the UK’s top landscape architects. Can you find the pond he designed at Belhus Woods Country Park
2. Swoop and soar on the Sky Ropes at Great Notley County Park
3. Research your family history at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford
4. Follow the Gruffalo trail in the Deep Dark Wood at Thorndon North Country Park
5. Get on your bikes! Try mountain biking at the site of London 2012 at Hadleigh Park
6. Blow away the cobwebs and build a sandcastle on the beach at Cudmore Grove Country Park
7. Explore the permanent exhibition at Jaywick Martello Tower, discover more about the history of our coastline defences
8. Take a photo in the Cloud Hammocks on the Stick Man trail at Weald Country Park
9. The ancient woodlands of Essex are hundreds of years old. Explore the ancient woodland at Danbury Country Park and take a guess at how old the trees are?
10. Take a photo of something that inspires you and share it with us
11.  Come and see the stunning migratory flocks of Brent Geese arriving on our shores from Russia at Cudmore Grove during the winter months
12. Witness the first signs of Spring and go on a Snowdrop Walk at Weald Country Park
13. Watch a film in a new environment; go and see Blade Runner (15) Tuesday 21 January Essex Record Office 7pm
14. Visit the historic Cressing Temple Barns; the barns were built by the Knights Templar in 1137, and are among the oldest and largest surviving timber barns in Europe
15. Find the ducks at Danbury Country Park lakes; can you spot a Mallard or a Teal?
16. Try geocaching! Explore the beautiful surrounds of a Country Park with GPS technology, what treasures will you uncover?
17. Find at least five different species of trees in our Country Parks
18. Treat your furry friend to the dog activity course at Thorndon South, or the dog agility course at Belhus Woods; there’s jumps, hoops and ramps to enjoy!
19. Draw a picture of your favourite place in Essex and share it with us
20. Spot the magnificent deer at Weald Country Park. Buy food from the visitor centre and feed them through the chutes
21. Fly a kite high in the sky at one of our Country Parks. Hadleigh, Cudmore Grove, Weald and Thorndon South have plenty of open spaces to enjoy the fresh air.
22. Explore the Flitch Way and follow the former railway line by foot or bicycle
23. Go to the panto at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester!
24. Take in the views across London by walking across Old Thorndon Pastures (from Thorndon South) let us know what can see
25. Join a fun Park Run at one of our Country Parks. Most parks host Park Runs and they take place every Saturday at 9 am
26. Visit the new permanent artwork by internationally-acclaimed artist, Henry Driver in the Wheat Barn at Cressing Temple Barns
27. Join a volunteer group! Get more involved with local places and parks.
28. Make a bird feeder and see which birds you can attract to your garden
29. Take a walk around the lake at Thorndon South
30. Hunt for fossils on the beach at Cudmore Grove Country Park. Please be careful not to disturb the cliffs!
31. Find the grazing sheep and goats at Thorndon North. Top tip: call into the visitor centre to find out where they are likely to be
32. Visit the Chelmsford Museum at Oaklands Park in Chelmsford and detect some ancient coins
33. Learn to read a map and follow a route through a Country Park
34. Play a game of rounders or cricket
35. Find five different types of leaves or flowers
36. Visit the Antony Gormley exhibition at the Firstsite art gallery in Colchester
37. Come and enjoy the great outdoors at Family Forest School, gather round the camp fire and so much more
38. Hug a tree
39. Make a bug house
40. Get on your bikes! Take a cycle ride in one of the Country Parks, you can hire bikes from Trailnet at Thorndon Country Park (from 16 February) or Hadleigh Park Cycles (all year round).
41. Taste three different types of chocolate this Easter. Or visit the Chocolate Festival on 4/5 April at Cressing Temple Barns. Don’t forget to book your ticket.
42. Bring your magnifying glass and go on a bug hunt, remember to count how many mini beasts you find!
43. Have a go at parkour in our special activity area at Hadleigh Park
44. Write a poem about your favourite place or green space
45. Join us on a nature walk
46. Visit the house of the Captain of the famous Mayflower ship, Christopher James, in Harwich
47. Walk up the Belvedere mound to the remains of the folly at Weald Country Park
48. Build a den!
49. Paint a pebble and gift it to a friend
50. Read a book during February half term
51. Can you spot the fabulous Snow Bunting along the foreshore at Cudmore Grove? The bird is scarce in the UK but can be spotted during the autumn and winter months.
52. Discover the hidden Victorian Ice House and find out how food was once kept chilled at Danbury Country Park
53. Go to the theatre, or a music concert
54. Attend a session at one of the Essex Outdoors centres during February half term
55. Go stargazing! Look up into the night sky and see if you can make out any constellations
56. See and smell the sensory garden at Thorndon North (close to the visitor centre)
57. Watch or join the mud run in Maldon
58. Picnics aren’t just for summer! Wrap up warm and pack a thermos and enjoy a winter picnic with your family!
59. Climb a tree
60. Watch a classic Hitchcock film; go and see The Birds (15) Tuesday 28 January Essex Record Office, 2pm
61. Try your hand at bark or leaf rubbings
62. Bring your binoculars and watch Kingfishers and Little Grebes from the bird hide at Childerditch Pond, Thorndon North
63. Go for a swim!
64. Attend an Essex 2020 STEAM event this year – https://essex2020.com/
65. Make a campfire (* only available in Country Parks during Forest School and education sessions)
66. Go for a jog in a park, get some green exercise
67. Visit your local ‘Summer of Art’ trail, or travel to somewhere new to take in theirs
68. Play hide and seek in the woods (but make sure not to lose sight of your parents/children altogether!)
69. Visit the Blackwater Estuary from Cudmore Grove Country Park and look for Grey Seals, or catch a ferry from Brightlingsea
70. Feed the birds
71. Discover what lies beneath your feet! Many of our Country Parks have geology trails, what can you find?
72. Take a walk around Danbury Country Parks beautiful Victorian Lakes
73. Try orienteering! There’s a special course at Belhus Woods Country Park, Great Notley Country Park and Weald Country Park
74. Meet the peacocks at Weald Country Park
75. Spot three different insects and find out their names
76. Toast marshmallows (* only available in Country Parks as part of a Forest School and education sessions)
77. Read a book in the woods
78. Skim stones on the foreshore of Cudmore Grove
79. Take a torch, wrap up warm and enjoy a night walk at one of our Country Parks
80. Kick-up the autumn leaves
81. Stand still and listen to the bird song, add audio to our Essex Sounds map. You record your surroundings, then upload the file to the website through this form: www.essexsounds.org.uk/content/contribute/contribute-your-sounds

82. Try and capture a wild animal in a photograph, such as a squirrel
83. Attend our ‘Green Festival’ at Great Notley Country Park this summer
84. Don your wellies and take a stroll in a stream, or seashore
85. Exploring fungi is fun! Try and identify three different species
86. How many ducks can you count on the lakes at one of our Country Parks?
87. Watch the sun set over the water
88. Play a game of ‘I Spy’ in the woods
89. Go on a beach clean at Cudmore Grove
90. Learn how to identify a tree by just looking at its leaves
91. Visit an Essex Mill
92. Make a bird box
93. Watch a film in an outdoor location
94. Take a walk in the woods on International Forest Day (22 March)
95. Join one of our family craft sessions at Cressing or Weald
96. Do yoga in the woods
97. Collect shells on the seashore
98. Visit the fairy and elves festival during the summer holidays and bring a little magic into your lives
99. Collect fir cones and create a woodland inspired creature
100. Find a rope swing in the woods and see how high you can soar
101. Jump in a puddle and have fun with mud!

There’s something for everyone from children to grandparents whatever the weather. So come on, get out more, and make the most of the incredible spaces on your doorstep and beyond.

Read our guide to exploring Essex