Condensing the best of Essex in our top three has not been easy, since Essex really offers more than meets the eye. Ideal for families who don’t want to veer too far from their home, but far enough to disconnect and recharge, the county of Essex is a gold mine, full of family-friendly attractions to appeal to kiddos of all ages and interests. As we delve into our top three, you'll see Essex has a diverse range of places to see and things to do, fabulous for a quick getaway that feels worlds away from the daily grind.
3) 🏠 Glamping pods in Essex with hot tubs and breath-taking views? Check, check, and check!
In our books, luxury glamping does not mean shielding yourself further away from nature – it means giving yourself over to it. Layer Marney Tower (the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England) can be your headquarters for this family vacation, providing you with the cosiest glamping tented pod, a hot tub that you can luxuriate in, feathery beds, and a fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare delicious meals on the wood-burning stove.
What we love the most about this farm stay is Sheila and Nick’s personal touches – such as a bookable fruit basket that you will find waiting for you upon your arrival, full of fresh seasonal fruits from the region. The kiddos will adore acquainting themselves with the animals and have a whale of a time exploring the woodlands.
2) 🦍Family-friendly adventures in Essex
🕊️ The Abberton Reservoir is an internationally significant wetland habitat serving as a haven for wildfowl, attracting as many as 40,000 ducks, swans, and geese annually. Offering stunning vistas of the reservoir and prime birdwatching opportunities, bird lovers especially will delight in the diversity of avian life and the chance to observe these magnificent creatures close-up. Birding is, in fact, an especially rewarding activity for youngsters as it can enhance their observational skills and foster a keen eye for detail, while also increasing their capacity to focus and patiently engage with the natural world around them.
🦁 Colchester Zoo provides education outreach programmes which include teaching kiddos about the zoo’s history, how they care for their animals, and the zoo’s conservation work. While at the zoo, little ones can meet over 155 species, with opportunities to feed giraffes, goats, sheep, and even Lorikeets! If the youngsters want to let off some steam and embody the playful spirit of a monkey, then why not let them run wild at Jungle Tumble or in one of the many outdoor play areas? For a truly unforgettable experience, you can even book specific events where you can be a keeper for a day, shadow keepers, or the kids between the ages of 6-15 can take part in Kids Zoo Academy.
3) 🐟Sea, nature, culture – Essex has it all.
“The best-kept secret in Essex,” Mersea Island is located a mere 20-minute car-drive from Layer Marney Tower. For the active kiddos who love a slice of adventure, the Mersea Island Watersports centre will gift you with many hours of fun for the young – from paddleboarding lessons to windsurfing, kayaking, and sailing, your youngsters will not only build confidence in water, but they will also get to develop important social skills, improve their physical health, enhance their swimming ability, and more!
🚣If you’d prefer a more laid-back excursion, then Lady Grace Boat Trips or Estuary Rib Tours are both equally worthy options, presenting families with the chance to learn about local marine life, to take in the sun, to unwind and appreciate the serene sparkling waters. For a taste of history, Mersea Museum has an excellent exhibition for those who are interested in getting to know more about the island’s history – such as the traditional local activities of fishing, oystering, wildfowling and boat building.
For the enthusiastic naturalists, there are many nature reserves near Layer Marney Tower that are bound to inspire. Dedham Vale, for example, houses 1,500 plant species, 175 bird species, and according to their website, almost 1,000 moth species! If you want to take it all in at a leisurely pace, then the Flatford and Constable Country walk should tick in every box. This is a moderate, dog-friendly, 2 and a half hours walk, where you will come across some beautifully pastoral scenes such as Flatford Mill and Willy Lott’s House, the site of Constable’s ‘The HayWain’ painting. You will also pass by the village of Dedham, where Constable went to school!
For a wilder, more rugged landscape, Blackwater Estuary Nature Reserve meets the brief. The estuary itself has a rich history, with oysters being harvested for over a thousand years (!) If you really want to immerse yourself in this stunning scenery, then a walk is just what the doctor ordered. We are thinking of the Northey Island circular walk which is rather easy and can be completed in less than two hours. Make sure you arrive appropriately prepared, which means, bring your wellies!
Discovering the real Essex and embracing its natural charm
Here you have it, the perfect weekend family getaway, with a minimum of fuss! So, if you are seeking an enchanting escape near London with minimal planning but maximum enjoyment, Essex is the place for you.
