Essex Popular Attractions

If you're looking to take a trip away from your caravan park, then take a look at some of the popular visitor attractions Essex has to offer.

Barleylands Farm

There is something for everyone at Barleylands Farm, with a lively Farmers Market, Farm Centre, and of course the exciting Craft Village. The Craft Village has over 50 workshops with all kinds of crafts providing the opportunity of viewing the skills of a blacksmith or a glass blower to having something printed at the Print and Textile Studio or even the chance to star in your own movie, there is certainly a vary varied choice. There is a Minature Railway and adventure playground to exhaust the children before settling down to enjoy a delightful meal at the Magic Mushroom. Without doubt Barleylands should not be missed. Barleylands Farm website.

Colchester Zoo

A trip to Essex really wouldn’t be complete without a visit to award winning Colchester Zoo, with animals galore and lots of activities for the children this is a family day out at is best. With a firm eye on conservation, caring for the animals that live in the zoo and providing an entertainment experience as exciting as possible for the many visitors, Colchester Zoo is a huge success. There are specific Zones such as the Aquatic Zone, Valley Zone and Lakeland Zone as well as a really helpful trail to follow so that you don’t get lost. Colchester Zoo provides all the animals that you would expect Monkeys, lions, lemurs etc as well as a stunning Bengal White tiger. Colchester Zoo website.

Adventure Island Southend

Adventure Island Southend provides an excellent attraction with over 60 thrilling rides and the benefit of only paying if you actually play, making this an ideal destination for the whole family, as even the smallest members of the family are catered for with 16 rides aimed at smaller children. If Granny is not keen on trying the latest scary ‘Over the Hill’ ride then she can take the time to relax and have a snack and a cup of tea in the Island Café or Jungle Jive Café whilst the rest of the family have the living daylights scared out of them! Adventure Island Southend website.

MS Brightlingsea

MS Brightlingsea provides harbour boat trips on a vintage funnelled passenger vessel. The boat was originally built in 1925 for the London and North Eastern Railway and was commissioned to provide a passenger ferry service, and since that time the MS Brightlingsea has been operating out of Harwich providing trips to Felixstowe continuously for the last 70 years. The boat has a number of different harbour trips available as well as river trips and private bookings. Christmas time the MS Brightlingsea runs a special Christmas Dinner Service, which would provide a very memorable and unusual way to celebrate the festive season. MS Brightlingsea website.

Mountfitchet Castle

Mountfitchet Castle is believed to date back to the Iron Age, and has evidence of Roman, Saxon and Viking settlers. Mountfitchet was under siege by the Normans in 1066 and the castle was built by the invading Duke of Boulogne. Around 1215 the castle was allowed to fall into disrepair and remained so for 700 years when it went under re-construction and resulted in the historically accurate castle that you see today. Mountfitchet Castle is fabulous to visit no matter what the weather and provides an excellent step back into history providing a complete insight into daily life in Norman England, with an interactive Norman village, toy museum, dinosaur encounter and animals - this is a real living historical destination. Mountfitchet Castle website.

Caravan parks in Essex

All Featured Essex Parks