Things to do in Essex with kids
As great as Essex is for its quaint countryside and miles-long coastline, it’s the convenient journey from London that's made it the go-to place for generation after generation of young families looking for a change of scenery from the big city.
Fantastic travel links and a friendly welcome make it the perfect place to go away with a little one for the first time or as a regular escape with the kids as they grow older. In this article we take you through the best things to do in Essex with kids, so you’ll have a bucket list of experiences to tick off when you stay with us at Orchards Holiday Village.
- Things to do with babies and toddlers in Essex
- Best soft plays for babies and toddlers in Essex
- Best cafes for babies and toddlers in Essex
- Best places to visit for babies and toddlers in Essex
- Things to do with kids aged 4-11 in Essex
- Best activity centres for kids aged 4-11 in Essex
- Best places to eat with kids aged 4-11 in Essex
- Best places to visit for kids aged 4-11 in Essex
Things to do with babies and toddlers in Essex
Let's take you through the best things to do for families with babies and toddlers in Essex. We're highlighting soft plays, cafes and other places to visit.
Best soft plays for babies and toddlers in Essex
1. Discovery Bay at Clacton Pier
www.clactonpier.co.uk/attractions/soft-play
One of Clacton’s finest. Imagination takes flight at this modern soft play, where babies and toddlers can go on a journey of discovery at the seaside with parents in hand. There's a great family restaurant to grab a bite to eat together after as well.
2. Swashbuckles at the Pavilion Fun Park, Clacton
clactonpavilion.co.uk/swashbuckles
Swashbuckles is the baby-friendly highlight of a family day out at Pavilion Fun Park. A labyrinth of levels means (dare we say it) parents will enjoy themselves as much as tots!
3. Playpalz Party and Soft Play Centre, Clacton
This newly renovated centre is home to one of the best baby-specific soft play areas in Essex. The baby pen area is especially great for stimulation and some bonding time with your little one.
Best cafes for babies and toddlers in Essex
1. Blue Garden Cafe, Clacton
With a ‘field to fork’ local and seasonal produce philosophy, Blue Garden Cafe is one of the best options for breakfast, brunch and lunch in Essex. Their combination of tasty food and a warm welcome for kids make them the go-to in Clacton.
2. Sailor Boy Cafe, Seawick
A good old greasy spoon place just a few steps from the Essex coastline at Seawick. This is the perfect place for a pit stop after a long walk along the seafront with the pram.
3. Black Rock Restaurant, Clacton
A restaurant recipient of award after award that doubles up as a great place to go with the little one. The steak here comes highly recommended, and there are juicy burgers on the menu too.
Best places to visit for babies and toddlers in Essex
1. Hasty’s Adventure Farm, near Jaywick
East of England Small Visitor Attraction of the Year for 2024. Goats, sheep and alpacas are just three of the animal types you can see here. There’s a sand pit, tractor park and soft play too.
2. St Osyth Park
A peaceful place for a stroll less than a five-minute drive from us at Orchards Holiday Village. St Osyth itself is a quaint Essex village with a historic Priory Gatehouse that dates to the 14th century. Take everything in whilst you keep your little one occupied.
3. Baby events at Century Cinema, Clacton
clacton-on-sea.picturedromecinemas.co.uk
Clacton’s Century Cinema are just one of hundreds of venues proving that a day at the pictures doesn’t have to be baby-free. The cinema lays on special screenings for you to attend with your little one – check their website for what’s on.
Things to do with kids aged 4-11 in Essex
Let’s take you through the best things to do for families with kids aged 4-11 in Essex. We’ve looked at activity centres, places to eat and places to visit.
Best activity centres for kids aged 4-11 in Essex
1. Clacton Pier
With a variety of rides, tenpin bowling, darts, shuffleboard and amusements, Clacton Pier offers an activity centre experience like few other places in Essex do.
2. Clacton Pavilion
Fun is the name of the game at Clacton Pavilion, and alongside its soft play, you’ll find activities like adventure golf, bowling, a water park and a restaurant.
3. AD Sports, Clacton
Older kids will love this inclusive venue for pool, snooker and darts, complete with live sport showings and a range of food and drinks. Thinking of coming again? Become a member and save even more throughout the year.
Best places to eat with kids aged 4-11 in Essex
1. Morrisons Market Kitchen, Clacton
my.morrisons.com/storefinder/278/clacton-waterglade
An unrivalled range of different meals so everyone can have what they fancy. Morrisons bring the concept of supermarket food court to another level with their Market Kitchen concept.
2. White’s Pie and Mash, Walton-on-the-Naze
Cockney grub at its finest, on a day out with the kids by the sea in Walton-on-the-Naze. The pie and mash here is the perfect comfort food after a day strolling the streets of this charming town.
3. The Rosebud Pub & Seafood Restaurant, Brightlingsea
This cosy family-run venue looks out onto a picturesque green in quaint Brightlingsea. Taking advantage of the town’s coastal location, it serves up scrumptious seafood dishes and classic fish and chips.
Best places to visit for kids aged 4-11 in Essex
1. Upside Down House, Clacton
This quirky work of art doubles up as a great place to bring the kids when you’re in Clacton. Walk through each room and be mesmerised by the illusion. You’ll want your camera for this one!
2. Jaywick Martello Tower
www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/jaywick-martello-tower
Within walking distance of Orchards Holiday Village, this historical structure is a remnant of a more turbulent past. This was one of 29 defences built to shield the east coast of England from Napoleon’s armies.
3. Putt in the Park at Colchester Castle
Head into Colchester for a day out and have some fun on this crazy golf course. You’ll also be able to explore all the history of what’s considered England’s oldest city.
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Important information
*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a new 2-bedroom Willerby Ellerton holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price is available at Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, The Orchards, Quay West, Skegness and Wild Duck. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Let2offset - make no site fee payments for 7 years
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion.
An example of how ‘Make no site fee payments when using Let2offset for 7 years’ operates under Let2offset is the purchase of an Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Seton Sands with a monthly site fee of £667.08 (includes purchasing discount of £17.08) and monthly letting income of £673.17. The monthly difference equates to £23.17, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures.
Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price is available at Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Haggerston Castle, Quay West, Skegness, The Orchards and Wild Duck. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.