Check out the number one zooquarium in Essex at Sea Life Adventure and journey around each ocean zone. Discover great museums at The Combined Military Museum, The Museum of Power and Essex Police Museum, where you can see the shoes of murdered Camille Holland and the death mask of police killer Frederick Browne.
Climb the bouldering wall and recover in the coffee shop at Indirock, catch the latest big-screen fare at the Everyman Cinema or Cineworld Basildon, or watch live action at Cliffs Pavillion Southend, The Palace Theatre or Chelmsford Theatre. Or enjoy soft play with a carousel and go-karts at 360play Festival Leisure Park.
Discover a lovely little zoo at Call of the Wild and meet black-and-white colobus monkeys, lemurs, macaws, meerkats, wallabies and more. Exit through the gift shop. Or find bigger beasts, including dinosaurs, at Colchester Zoo. Or pick your own fruits and meet the animals at Lathcoats Farm Park.
Stretch your legs with your four-legged friends at Hadleigh Country Park, complete with cycling trails, wild swimming and a castle to explore. Meet the pygmy goats, alpacas, deer, rheas and Anglo-Nubian goats at White Elm Petting Farm. Or pack the sunscreen for great beaches at Southend, Leigh-on-Sea and West Mersea.
For the gym, a swim, zumba, climbing and more, head to Basildon Sporting Village. Take the family for adventure golf at Barleylands. Tee off for the serious stuff at Langdon Hills Golf and Country Club, The Rayleigh Club or Chelmsford Golf Club. Or strap on your boots for walks at Howe Green, Great Baddow and Sandon Circular.
Discover panoramic views over the reservoir, mature woodlands, a bat roost and a beautiful carpet of bluebells in spring at Hanningfield Nature Reserve. Land carp up to 35lbs at Blind Lane Fishery, and pike and catfish at Crowsheath Fishery. Or fire guns at Maldon and District Air Rifle Club.
Chill the pace heading back through history at Colchester Castle, Coal House Fort, Tilbury Fort, Hyde Hall, Downham Hall and Hedingham Castle. Marvel at lovely cathedrals at Chelmsford, Brentwood and Colchester. Or potter the shops of Chelmsford, Braintree Freeport Village and Southend.
Battlesbridge’s the place for antiques and Beecroft, Focal Point and Firstsite for art galleries. Enjoy 30 days of music, comedy, theatre and more at The Chelmsford Festival. Celebrate top chefs at the Foodies’ Festival. Or get your lips round some real ale at Chelmsford Summer Beer and Cider Festival.
Hens (and stags) love hot tubs and there’s a six-seater right on site. Not to mention the outdoor pool, heated to 28 degrees from May to September. Make it an occasion with a poolside hog roast in the poolhouse catered for by The Aussie BBQ Company. Pile on the Prosecco from Majestic.
Get out and about for canoeing and kayaking at Papermill Lock and Mersea Island, sail at North Fambridge and Burnham, or test your balance on paddleboards with West Hanningfield. Try windsurfing or windfoiling with Mersea Island Watersports. Or see the scenery on four legs with Runningwell Equestrian or Meadow Stables.
Take a tour and a tasting in the tap room at The Billericay Brewery or taste local wines at New Hall Vineyard, Crouch Ridge Vineyard or Clay Hill Vineyard. Go Ape in Chelmsford, shoot clay at Fennes or arrows at Runwell Archery, and hit the slopes whatever the weather at Brentwood Ski and Snowboard Centre.
Experience the high ropes and nuclear bunker at Nuclear Wild Forest Outdoor Activity Centre. Follow the cycle tracks at Hadleigh Country Park. Shoot guns at Maldon Air Rifle Club, race karts at Lakeside or potter the lanes with All Things Alpaca. Then hit the bright lights at Bar and Beyond, Popworld and Bassment in downtown Chelmsford.
