Colchester Zoo in Essex has many attractions and makes a great family day out in Essex. Follow the Wilds of Asia exhibit featuring our Orang Utans and Lar Gibbons. Next is Parrot Rock with its many colourful and noisy inhabitants from around the world. Next to Parrot Rock is Kalahari Capers a soft play area suitable for everyone from toddlers to teens (undercover just in case it rains!) following that you will see the Silvery Marmosets and the Yellow Footed Tortoises at Rain Forest Life.

Colchester Zoo's Nature and Conservation Area

In an exciting new development Colchester Zoo has recently acquired 1.2 hectares of land to the south of the zoo site. Colchester Zoo in Essex, aims to manage this land as a conservation area, enabling visitors to see a range of native wildlife species and highlighting local conservation issues. Colchester Zoo have been collaborating with the Essex Biodiversity Project to design a nature trail around this site, running through the riverside marshland and providing close up views of the Roman River. Numerous species already inhabit the site like Celery-leaved buttercup, Bog Stitchwort and Yellow Flag, as well as the locally rare Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly and birds like the Song Thrush and Turtle dove.

Using a design created by the Essex Biodiversity Project, Colchester Zoo will create more wetland areas, hopefully increasing the diversity and abundance of invertebrate fauna and thus encouraging more foraging birds to the site. Colchester Zoo’s nature area is currently only in planning stage and the zoo is in the process of applying for planning permission.

Sealife Adventure Aquarium in Southend Essex

There's something to see for all the family at Sealife Adventure Aquarium in Southend Essex. Guided talks about the Oceans, or visit the Wave's café. Talk a walk through our underwater aquarium and pop up to see our Piranhas!

We have a range of Birthday packages that offer excellent value and lots of fun! To find out more please take a moment to look through our site. Education and fun go hand in hand and there is no better way to learn about all the amazing creatures you can find beneath the waves here at Sealife Adventure! Teachers Maths and Science resource pack available for each school visit and a fun Rock Pool Encounter!

To book a Sealife Aquarium Adventure educational visit, please call on 01702 442200. All visits must be booked and paid for at least ten days prior to your visit with a minimum of 15 children to receive these discounted prices

You will come face to face with many marine creatures that you would find locally in the Thames Estuary, such as Sharks, Rays, Crabs, Starfish and many more. We also have a vast tropical section with an array of creatures such as Lionfish, Porcupine Puffer fish and Clown fish! Great family days out in Essex at the Sealife Adventure Aquarium.

Adventure Island - Western Esplanade Southend-on-Sea Essex

Free admission to the Adventure Island theme park – you only ‘Pay-if-you-Play’ with our fantastic value 'All Day Ride Bands' starting from £7

Most theme parks are pay to enter. So if all the family has come on a day out, Granny and Grandad will have to pay to enter, whether they are going on rides or not. At Adventure Island you will only need to pay - if you play! Our ride bands are sold according to height. Mini Bands for riders under 1 metre, Junior Bands for riders between 1 metre and 1.2 metres and Big Adventure Bands for everyone else who is 1.2 metres and over!

Less walking than inland parks! All our attractions are close together. Adventure Island covers less than 9 acres, so we are quite compact! But that doesn’t hinder the fun – it only makes it better! Let’s face it what would you prefer to do, walk around all day getting tired - or go on rides? I don’t think you need to phone a friend for that one!

Less queues! Adventure Island is famous for it’s short ride queues. You’ll go on lots of rides at Adventure Island! Simply because we have so many! Many of these are fast moving, high capacity rides like the Green Scream Roller Coaster that takes forty people a go! Our guests often comment to us that they have enjoyed their day on the rides rather than in the queues (like other theme parks). Great family days out in Essex at Adventure Island, Southend on Sea.

Colchester Castle Museum - Great Family Days Out in Essex

A visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of some of the most important events in British history. Once capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation by Boudica (Boadicea), invasion by the Normans and siege during the English Civil War. Since the 16th century, the Castle has been a ruin, a library and a gaol for witches.

Today it is an award winning museum featuring many hands-on displays showing Colchester's history from the Stone Age to the Civil War.

Come and visit the new Hive Restaurant! Would you like fresh, local produce, direct from the farmer? Watch local craftsmen at work! Come and meet the friendly farm animals! We have half term Special Events. Look for bargains at the Boot Sale.

Do you need to arrange a tour, visit or birthday party? Camping available! Do you need luxury toilets for that special occasion? Feeling hungry? Then why not dine in the Magic Mushroom restaurant at Barleylands Craft Village and Farm.

Education and Conference Room for hire! Stables for hire. Disabled Access to Craft Village and Farm Centre. At Barleylands Craft Village and Farm Centre we have something for the whole family. The Craft Village is open all year round, so come along and see our craftsmen and women hand make unusual gifts for that special occasion, a fun and education family day out in Essex.

Visit our Essex events section for more fun family activities in Essex.

Old MacDonald's Farm offers a fantastic educational programme for children to experience and learn about life on a farm. We believe that our hands on approach to meeting the animals supervised by friendly staff is the best way to find out about our animals and how they live.

We have wide range of well cared for livestock including many rare breeds, plus a range of study aids so there is plenty to see touch and do! Situated in the Essex countryside near South Weald and Saint Vincents Hamlet close to the M25 junction 28, we are easily accessible for visiting schools in the surrounding area and beyond.

Rain or shine there is plenty to see and do at Old MacDonald’s Farm. We know your children will love our fantastic indoor soft play area. So let your little lambs go wild while you relax and enjoy a nice cup of freshly brewed tea or coffee from our cafeteria.

If you are feeling peckish then you can choose from a variety of hot and cold snacks or meals. Want to play in the fresh air we’ve got loads of great places to play all over the farm, from train rides to carousels and even a giant inflatable chicken!

Infact we have over 50 different amusements and rides dotted all over the farm so your kid’s just wont stop. Old MacDonald's Farm is a great place to start your family days out in Essex.

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