Essex has amazing things to see, places to visit and experiences to be enjoyed over the summer months.
Visit Essex, the county’s tourism organisation, has applied the sunblock, put on the sunglasses and drawn up a ‘must-see’ list of places and activities to do this summer.
It’s a bucket list, but you may need a spade as well!
Besides the seaside, beside the sea...
Essex is blessed with a stunning 350-mile coastline, consisting of golden sands, backwater estuaries, traditional seaside towns and delightful waterside villages barely touched by time. Sunbathers and families all gather for the sea breeze, open space, big skies and a refreshing dip or paddle in the sea.
The great thing about Essex is no matter how far inland people may be, they are less than an hour from the county’s beaches. Here are some of our favourite beaches and seaside activities for the summer.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island has a thrilling 40-plus rides that will appeal to adrenaline junkies and fun lovers alike. The City Wheel gives fantastic panoramic views over Southend, the Thames Estuary and across to Kent!
The little ones will enjoy gentle rides such as the Sea Dragon and Barnstormer, while the Devil’s Dance and the spinning Screature deliver the screams.
Southend
Southend has seven golden miles of sandy beaches to choose from. Jubilee Beach is the closest to the city’s attractions, including the splash fountains, Adventure Island, Southend Pier and Sealife Adventure. No wonder Jubilee Beach is a family favourite for buckets and spades, fish and chips, a Rossi ice and happy days out!
Southend Pier, next to Adventure Island, stretches out 1.3 miles into the Thames Estuary and is the longest pleasure pier in the world! Thankfully, no one has to walk the entire length of the pier, unless they want to, as the Southend Pier Railway transports people the whole length, from shore to the Pier Head. Once on the pier visitors can relax in a deckchair, catch themselves in the Wacky Walk of Mirrors, or dine at the food outlets.
The Sunshine Coast
Essex’s second traditional seaside resort is Clacton on the county’s Sunshine Coast. The long sandy beaches of West Beach and Martello Bay offer fun and room to roam for all. Clacton has an amazing pier that is Europe’s largest pleasure pier offering rides for all. The Pier also has the Jurassic Pier attraction with life-sized dinosaurs and a cutting-edge 4D cinema experience with the dinos.
Elsewhere along the Sunshine Coast are a host of great, smaller seaside towns all with their own individual charms. Walton-on-the-Naze, Brightlingsea, Harwich and Dovercourt all have great beaches and their own character for a quieter seaside experience.
Find prehistoric fossils on the beach at Walton or just walk the Crag Path for amazing seaside views. Depart Harwich’s Ha’penny Pier for seal-watching boat trips to the Walton backwaters or try your hand at crabbing while enjoying the gentle charms of Brightlingsea.
Culture on our doorstep
This summer Essex has even more festivals to enjoy as some of the biggest names bring their shows to the county. It’s a great opportunity to cross off some massive names from the ‘must see’ list.
Colchester castle
The Colchester Castle Summer Series started last year. Johnny Depp and Alice Cooper bring their Hollywood Vampires band to Colchester Castle Park on Friday, August 21. Richard Ashcroft, Fat Boy Slim and Bastille are also playing in August.
Heritage Live
Another returning series of outdoors gigs is Heritage Live at the stately home Audley End House and Gardens outside Saffron Walden in August.
The Scissor Sisters will make everyone want to dance on Thursday, August 6, while fans will be drying their eyes to The Streets on Friday, August 7.
Legendary DJ Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics hit the crowd on Saturday, August 8 and Faithless will be bliss on Sunday, August 9.
Lazydays
The Lazydays Festival is returning to Priory Park, Southend, for another long weekend of feelgood vibes. Headlining 2026 are Tinie Tempah, Feeder and Sister Sledge, with a supporting cast of Natalie Imbruglia, The Feeling, Professor Green and many more. The festival runs from July 24-26 and there will be plenty of food and drinks on site.
Castles
The county has many castles to enthral history-lovers of all ages. Colchester Castle is a Norman keep built on a Roman temple. The castle has lots of items on display including a gladiator vase and treasure from the Fenwick Hoard. For a hands-on experience, younger visitors can try their skill at steering a Roman chariot, fire a replica ballista, dress up as an Iron Age Briton or build a Norman archway.
Another Norman keep is the stunning Hedingham Castle, near Halstead. It is one of Essex’s most impressive heritage buildings. The castle also hosts a wide range of activities from the thrills and spills of jousts, and an outdoor theatre to classic car shows. There are also impressive grounds to explore; Hedingham Castle really is the jewel in Essex’s crown.
Children will love to head to Stansted Mountfitchet Castle and travel back to 1066 and see what life was like in a Norman village. Experience the sights and smells of history within the village’s protective walls. Plus, meet the adorable animals that call the village home and roam freely about it. Visitors can hand feed the tame fallow deer, goats and chickens.
Big days out
Essex is home to some big visitor attractions that are a ‘must visit’. Even if sightseers have visited the attractions many years ago, they are constantly being updated and new features launched to make every visit memorable.
Animals
Looking to tick off some big-name animals from your list, then Colchester Zoological Society is where you can find them! The zoo is home to more than 150 animal species including African elephants, leopards, tigers, zebras and loads more. The zoo also offers animal experiences and special events that will make an unforgettable day out!
Or head to Southend to meet the creatures in the Zooquarium at Sealife Adventure. Go nose-to-nose with a living, breathing, swimming shark and live to tell the tale! Elsewhere marvel at the beautiful colours of the tropical fish, or the playful penguins. Be surrounded by water and sea creatures as you walk through the Ocean Tunnel.
To get closer to more familiar animals take a visit to Redwings Ada Cole Visitor Centre, near Harlow, which homes rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, all accepting visitor strokes and hugs. Another animal centre that will pull on heart strings is the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood. It’s home to 500 rescued animals including sheep, pigs, horses, alpacas and more, visitors can have ethical experiences with the animals and help Hopefield’s good work.
Glamping
No one’s really experienced Essex until they have tried glamping!
With some fab sites spread across the county there is no excuse not to spend a luxury night under the stars and extend your visit in the county by an extra day!
Fancy sleeping on a floating lodge on a tranquil private lake, with a hot tub and log burner? Head to Chigborough Camping and Glamping just outside Heybridge. The site offers private fishing lakes in a beautiful rural retreat that is also close to the sea. There is also a selection of land-based glamping options available on the site.
Staying with the water and glamping theme, the Lee Valley Glamping site at Sewardstone, offers cocoons and cabins in between the trees and close to the Lee Valley White Water Centre. The site is great for both relaxation and adrenalin thrills!
Finally, the Poacher’s Hut at Tuffon Hall Vineyard near Halstead, offers stunning rural views, a king-sized bed, hot tub and firepit, and may be even a glass or two of the vineyard’s finest wine!.
visitessex.com
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