Essex has some great things to do including castles, railways, lakes and lively resorts on the coast.
Adventure Island Fun Park is the U.K's No.1 FREE ADMISSION Fun Park. Situated on Southend-on-Sea's famous seafront, over 40 fabulous rides and attractions including the outrageous RAGE roller coaster.
Colchester Zoo with over 270 species to see set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes. Stroll around the zoo and enjoy the wide range of animals on display. See white rhino, giraffes, ostrich and kudu roaming together at Kingdom of the Wild and walk underwater through the 24m tunnel at the Playa Patagonia sea lion pool. You even get the fantastic opportunity to feed the elephants and giraffes yourself and take a ride on the 'Lost Madagascar Express' road train. You can also come face to face with Komodo Dragons.
Clacton Pier is officially the largest pleasure pier in the UK covering a staggering 6 1/2 acres. First opened in July 1871 as a landing stage for goods. The pier now boasts a selection of new and refurbished family fun rides, Seaqurium sealife centre, 10 Pin bowling, the boardwalk bar, American diner, loads of eating places, great fish and chips, an activity zone and a function room called The Kingsman Room.
There’s so much fun to be had at Old MacDonald’s Farm & Fun Park, whatever the weather. The farm is packed with family rides & amusements. Rides include the Doggy Dog roller coaster, Tractor rides, Giant slides, sand pits, crazy barn, Pony adventures ride & more. Also two indoor soft play areas your kids can have fun in, while you grab yourself a cuppa and something to nibble on. over 30 different species of animals here; including meerkats, pigs, wallabies, rabbits, ponies, cows, sheep, horses, reindeer, alpacas, and donkey.
The fort is open Thurs-Sun from 10.00 - 16.00 during the summer season 1st May - 30 September. Open on Bank Holidays. An extremely impressive 180ft (60m) diameter circular fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich against a Napoleonic invasion. Ten guns sit on the battlements. Eighteen casements below would house 300 troops in siege conditions. Part of the fort is now used as a military museum. circular Redoubt Fort was built in 1808 to defend the harbour against the threatened invasion of Napoleonic forces. It mounted ten 24-pounders and housed a regiment of soldiers with sufficient food and stores to with stay a lengthy siege. Fortunately it was never called upon to demonstrate its powers.
Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome is a unique place, with a unique history. It is the largest known surviving group of RFC buildings on a WWI aerodrome which was not adapted for further military use later in its history. Its story covers 100 years of life comprising feverish excitement interspersed with periods of calm and tranquillity.