Essex with Kids: Top Places Every Family Should Visit - Tried & Tested
We’ve had such a good time exploring Essex this year — from whimsical adventure parks to calm nature reserves and sweet summer PYO fruit days. What we loved most? The variety. These spots work for different ages and different times of year, so you can keep the adventures rolling through every season. Big thanks to Visit Essex for championing family days out and for partnering with us on this campaign.
1) Wyvernwood, Colchester — pure storybook magic
Step through the “Magic Portal” and you’re in the Enchanted Lost Kingdom: live shows, quests with characters (hello Merlin!), climbing frames and trails that turn little legs into brave explorers. It’s designed for families with children roughly 2–10 and really is a full-day experience. In our reel you’ll see the kids joining in the quests, meeting characters and racing between play zones — it’s imaginative, outdoorsy and wonderfully screen-free.
Why we rate it for families: immersive performances across the day (so you never feel you’ve “missed it”), loads of active play, and enough gentle corners to catch your breath. Check their seasonal programming for wizarding weekends and summer adventures.
See more information here: WYVERNWOOD
2) Cammas Hall Fruit Farm — summer strawberries & year-round fun
Strawberry picking at Cammas Hall is a summer rite of passage and such a simple joy with kids: grab a punnet, wander the rows, snack, repeat. Beyond strawberries, the farm runs PYO across the season, plus extras like a maize maze, footgolf, a tea barn and special events that stretch into autumn — including their epic pumpkin patch! Pre-book PYO slots when they open for the season.
Make it seasonal:
Summer: strawberries and other soft fruits; play areas, pizza and farm fun.
Autumn: pumpkins galore, spooky tunnel, pumpkin spice lattes and cosy farm vibes.
Keep an eye on their “What’s On” and PYO pages for dates.
See more information here: CAMMAS HALL FARM
If you’re craving a slower day, Abberton delivers: big skies, glassy water and excellent birdwatching (tens of thousands of ducks, swans and geese visit annually). There are accessible paths, bird hides, family trails (look out for Brambly Hedge), and a visitor centre with a tearoom that looks out over the reservoir — the kind of view that makes a coffee taste even better.
Top tip: bring binoculars and a bug pot — it’s brilliant for gentle “mini-beast” hunts between bird-spotting stops, and the centre runs family events throughout the year
Fun fact: The bramble trail is inspired by the books by Jill Barklem ‘Brambly Hedges’. You can find the book in their gift shop and has all the characters you spot on the trail!
See more information here: ABBERTON NATURE RESERVE
A cracking day for curious kids and history lovers. On “Sundays at the Mills” you can expect hands-on activities and guided experience across this huge historic site. Highlights include rocket-making activities, two different railways (the narrow-gauge Gunpowder Railway and the volunteer-run Mini Railway), and tractor-trailer tours into restricted areas packed with intriguing industrial heritage. Keep an eye on their calendar — they add events through the year.
Refuel note: catering varies by event day; special “Tea at the Mills” afternoons also pop up — check listings before you go.
See more information here: ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS
Possibly our favourite day of the whole summer — Finley was laughing the entire morning! The kids were ‘Junior Farmers’ for the morning. We did various animal meet-and-greets and fed the alpacas (instant kid magnet). For animal-mad mini explorers, the Junior Farmer experience is gold: children help feed, clean and groom a whole cast — alpacas, donkeys, goats, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, mini-beasts and chickens — with lovely learning moments woven in.
Good to know: Pre-booking is essential for most experiences; age/height guidelines can apply for treks; and sessions are outdoors, so dress for British weather.
All Things Alpacas sits inside Lathcoats Farm, so you can easily add the farm shop or tearooms — and time your visit for Lathcoats’ seasonal events like Apple Day or the Pumpkin Festival. It turns a single activity into a full day out.
Gift guide: the experience gift that actually gets used
Experiences beat ‘stuff’—especially when they come with fluffy noses and giggles! All Things Alpaca gift cards make brilliant gifts for birthdays, Christmas, and “just because,” with options for individuals, families, and groups.
Planning a birthday or family get-together? They offer group experiences and private parties, plus educational packages for nurseries, schools, SEN and home-ed groups. You can even hire animals for off-site events (weddings, care homes, etc.). Enquire for availability and pricing.
See more information here: ALL THINGS ALPACA
A classic for miniature train lovers, set in woodland with a fairy-and-elf days during the summertime. Through the year they run Easter specials, summer festivals, Halloween fun and the big one — Christmas, which includes a festive train through the woods and twinkly extras on the ground. Book early for seasonal dates; the Christmas Special is especially popular.
We have been visiting Audley End Miniature Railway for years with visits across the year. This Halloween has been one of our favourites so far as they have added so much to do including marshmallows toasting and pumpkin patch.
Parent-to-parent tips: Pre-book essential (seasonal trains sell out fast) and aim to arrive 15–20 minutes early so you’re not rushing little legs to the platform. Woodland paths can get muddy after rain, so wellies/layers are your friend. Leave time for the extras (crafts, play areas and show) so the day doesn’t feel like “just the train.” There’s parking on site, food huts plus picnic spots, and toilets with baby-change near the station. We usually allow 2 hours for a regular visit and up to 2–3 hours for Christmas. If you are staying for the weekend, pair it with Audley End House & Gardens across the road or a wander pretty Saffron Walden for lunch and a playground stop.
See more information here: AUDLEY END MINIATURE RAILWAY
From alpacas and enchanted kingdoms to serene reservoirs and woodland trains, this year proved just how easy (and joyful) family-friendly days out in Essex can be—whatever the season.
A huge thank you to Visit Essex for partnering with us and spotlighting so many brilliant, varied experiences. If you’re planning your own adventure, check each venue’s seasonal calendar, book ahead for special events, and consider pairing nearby spots to turn a morning into a full day.
We’d love to hear where you’re heading next—drop a comment below—and if this guide helped, save it for half term and share with a friend. Here’s to more memory-making in Essex with your mini explorers!
