With half term upon us once again, we're put together a list of top free attractions across the county to keep the kids entertained this week. 

1. Lee Valley Regional Park

The unique natural features of this 10,000 acre Regional Park stretch 26 miles on both sides of the River Lee, spanning Essex, Hertfordshire, North and East London, past the Olympic Park. Lee Valley provides a mosaic of countryside areas, heritage sites, country parks, nature reserves and lake and riverside trails, plus sports and recreation centres.

Numerous well-placed bird hides also offer great opportunities for wildlife-spotting throughout the year.

A visit to the Lee Valley Park Farms provides an interesting experience for children and a great day out for the whole family. Website: www.leevalleypark.org.uk

2. Hollytrees Museum, Colchester

Follow the story around this beautiful Georgian building taking in domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Meet many different characters from the past and experience Colchester's fascinating history. Discover what family life was like for the rich and the poor. Then be transported back to the days before washing machines to try out a dolly peg and dress up as a servant. Experience the miniature world of the Hollytrees dolls house and find out about the origin of the famous nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - which was written in Colchester! Website: www.cimuseums.org.uk

3. Barleylands Craft Village, Billericay

The Craft Village has over 50 galleries, shops, studios and workshops offering something for everyone. Feel nostalgic from coal smoke at the blacksmith’s forge and be mesmerised by glass blowers. Whether it's a commissioned piece for your home, learning something new in one of the workshops or looking for handmade gifts and treats, the Craft Village has a stunning range of creative work for you to explore. Website: www.barleylands.co.uk

4. Great Notley Country Park, Braintree

Great Notley Country Park and the Flitch Way covers an area of 100 acres with views across open farmland to the west, and a link to over 15 miles of walking and cycling paths along the Flitch Way. The site offers many facilities including a sensory trail, endless play equipment, cycle hire centre, fishing, visitor centre and bistro, sports and educational facilities, plus an extensive events programme. Website: www.visitparks.co.uk

5. Bridge End Garden, Saffron Walden

Bridge End Garden is a series of seven interlinked gardens laid out by the Gibson family in the nineteenth century. These Grade II listed gardens are open to the public each day free of charge. Careful restoration has replicated gardening techniques and designs typical of the Victorian era and has brought the garden back to its full splendour. Website: www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk

6. Hadleigh Country Park, Hadleigh

An ideal place for a walk, picnic, to fly a kite or simple to discover wildlife. One of the largest parks in Essex, the park can be explored by the extensive footpath network or by three self-guided trails from Chapel Lane. Discover an Iron Age Roundhouse which is open at pre-advertised times. This park presents one of the most picturesque landscapes set against the backdrop of the ruined 13th century Hadleigh Castle, painted by Constable and owned by three of Henry VIII’s wives, with spectacular views across the Thames Estuary. Website: www.hadleighcountrypark.co.uk

7. Southchurch Hall Museum, Southend

Southchurch Hall Museum is housed in the half-timbered medieval manor house, which dates to the early 14th century.

Southchurch Hall is now laid out in a series of period rooms, the great open hall reflecting life in the later middle ages. The solar wing displays life in Tudor and Stuart times, while the service wing is devoted to domestic life through several centuries. On the first floor is a Victorian bedroom. Website: www.southendmuseums.co.uk

8. Hatfield Forest

No other forest on earth evokes the atmosphere of a medieval hunting forest so completely. The ancient trees of the forest are like magnificent living sculptures, peaceful giants worn and fragile from centuries of seasons and use. Some of our extraordinary ancient trees are 1,200 years old.

Just imagine what these trees have lived through and the stories they could tell. Whether you want somewhere for the children can go running or somewhere you can quietly reflect, you will find your own special place in Hatfield Forest. Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatfield-forest

9. Promenade Park, Maldon

With its stunning location overlooking the River Blackwater, this popular park attracts over 300,000 visitors a year. The Prom' as it is known locally, is a great place to walk or sit and watch the activity on the river and always makes for a great family day out. There are many facilities, including an ornamental lake with fountains, seating and sand play area, amphitheatre, water play facility, aerial runway, model boating and crabbing lake. There’s so much to do, you won’t know what to do first! Website: www.visitmaldondistrict.co.uk

10. Hanningfield Reservoir

Hanningfield Reservoir is an ideal place to stretch your legs and go for a ramble with the dog, or forget your cares with a spot of fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a complete beginner, the fishing lodge will welcome you and help you while away the hours on the banks or in boat enjoying some of the best trout fishing in England.

The woods are perfect for a nature trail or stay late and see the bats come in to roost. 

  • Do you have any suggestions of free places to take children in half term? Comment below. To see more suggestions, and routes, go to the Visit Essex website