There is a vast array of both outdoor and indoor activities for families to enjoy during a self-catering break in Essex. A rented cottage is a good form of holiday accommodation for families because of the ample space for children to play and often a garden as well. Self-catering is the budget conscious holiday option which suits families.

Take a look at some of the activities on offer in Essex and see for yourself why it is such a good family break destination.

Booking holiday cottages

 

All cottages, houseboats and log cabins that you may find through this site are of a high standard.

 

Places to visit in Essex of interest to families

 

Lovely places for country walks and rambles: Epping Forest is in south west Essex and borders Greater London. This is still a good location for orienteering and woodland walks.

 

Hatfield Forest, just south of Stansted Airport offers way-marked trails.

 

Essex also has a good number of open commons and country parks. The Olympic Games mountain biking event is held at Hadleigh Country Park near Leigh-on-Sea.

Other fabulous open spaces for rambles are: Danbury Common, Blakes Wood has masses of bluebells at the end of April, Hanningfield Reservoir for woodland walks, bird hides looking out over the reservoir, boat hire and fishing.

 

Open Gardens to Visit in Essex

Marks Hall Gardens and Arboretum

Beth Chatto Gardens near Colchester

RHS Hyde Hall near East Hanningfield Essex

The Red Cross Open Garden Scheme in Essex

 

It is always good fun to pick your own fruit on holiday. Grace's Fruit Farm in Saffron Walden (north Essex) allows visitors to pick soft fruit during the summer to take back to their holiday cottage for tea.

 

Colchester Zoo is one of the best in England - it offers lots of animals in good conditions and a few walk through areas where children can stroke or get very close to domestic animals.

 

Barleylands near Billericay have a regular programme of animal related events such as sheep shearing, baby chicks at Easter and entertainment for families.

 

There are museums such as the Museum of Power near Maldon and town Museums in Chelmsford, Colchester. Colchester has a castle with interactive displays that children love.