Weather is too nice to stay indoors? Want to stretch your legs? Children need to run wild?  Then head to one of the UK's fantastic parks and playgrounds on offer and breath in that fresh air!

Parks and Playgrounds

The UK has a huge array of museums and art galleries for you to enjoy. From the big hitters in London, such as the Natural History Museum, V&A, Tate Modern and National Portrait Gallery, to exciting living museums where your family can step back in time (such as the Black Country Museum in the West Midlands or the Highland Folk Museum in the Cairngorms). These Museums let your kids get hands-on with history, attending School and learning about farming, crafts, and much more. Art Galleries are not just for the grown ups! They now have workshops and child-friendly trails to inspire even the youngest artists to start drawing.  So why not try out one of our Museums or Art Galleries on your next holiday?   

Museums and Art Galleries

Art and crafting are wonderful pastimes and something the whole family can be involved in, whatever age and whatever skill!   Both children and adults can enjoy the wide range of things this relaxing (mostly!) hobby offers, from finger painting and clay modelling to sewing, woodcarving or basket making. As families are now looking for new things to do on holiday, many places are offering arty activities, or local artists will run day courses with lovely things to make.  And the bonus with this hobby is, there is always something to take home with you at the end!  Have a look at all the different art and craft activities to do in the area you are staying in and unleash your inner Michaelangelo!   

Arts and Crafts

Kayaking and canoeing is a great way to get close to nature and experience lochs, lakes, rivers and canals in the UK. An easy way to start experiencing boat sports and go on an adventure. Kayaking and Canoeing are slightly different! When Kayaking you will be seated with your legs extended and you will use a double ended paddle. When you canoe, you can be seated or kneeling and often use a single paddle.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Feel like royalty and visit one of the UK’s beautiful palaces, castles or stately homes. We are lucky to be surrounded by amazing history and architecture here in the UK, and through several organisations we are able to visit and experience these amazing homes. Learn about the history of the buildings and residents, view the art and walk amongst the gardens. Many of these places also offer plenty of activities and guides for the children too! So why not visit one on your next trip?

Castles and Palaces

Trying to find shelter on a rainy day or enjoy a fun evening filled with laughter and popcorn? Visit one of the 775 cinemas in the UK to catch up on the latest blockbuster film releases!  Or fancy watching some live theatre, a music concert, a ballet, or comedy act? Then head to one of the UK's 1300 theatres!  Whether the West End, London is where you want to enjoy some of the UK's finest productions on offer, or Shakespeare's Globe where you can experience incredible performances and actors. Maybe you want to head to the  Festival Theatre in Edinburgh which stages some of the finest operas and ballets. There is something for everyone and definitely not to be missed!    

Cinemas and theatres

Climbing is a great way to test your strength, balance and agility. As both an indoor and outdoor sport it can be done whatever the weather! You can try out bouldering, climbing and traversing lower walls (around 3 meters) without the assistance of rope. Bouldering basics can be mastered in a few hours and climbing centers will have graded routes allowing you to start out on the easier paths and work your way up. Rock climbing or high ropes is climbing vertically with the assistance of ropes and using safety harnesses, the walls are around 15 meters tall. You will need a good nerve for heights for this activity! Again, beginner sessions are available as are graded routes.

Climbing

Whatever your child's age there is always something to enjoy. Get cracking in  a multi-level play area where kids can climb, clamber and slide over all sorts of adventurous obstacles. What’s next? What about a ball pond where your children can dip and dive in a pool full of colourful balls? All of the above would make for serious family fun. Of course parents are not forgotten either as a cafe is never far away. You can relax with a tasty coffee and a slice of cake. What more could you want?

Indoor and Soft Play Areas

If you decide to take a holiday in the UK to an area you don't know (or maybe you do but want to know more), an excellent way of seeing around and actually getting to see the "best bits" is by taking a tour with a local guide or someone in the know. Walking tours, cycling tours, boat tours, pogo-stick tours (ok maybe not the last one) - whatever suits your family best, can be booked online or at local visitor information centres and make a real difference to your stay.  You can find out the history of a place, local facts or even go on something weird and wonderful like a ghost walk or follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes or Jack the Ripper.  Eek.  An open top bus journey can take away the hours pounding the pavement to look around a large city. Boat trips and river cruises are also a great way of seeing a lot of things in a small amount of time, giving you a completely different aspect of the town you are visiting.  Join a large boat or charter something smaller yourself and follow the river along to get a better look at all the surround countryside.  

Tours and River Cruises

Enjoy a day on the beach with all the family! The UK boasts some incredible coastlines, from the well-loved Cornwall coast to the secret sandy spots in Scotland. There is something for everyone!  Perfect for long walks, sandcastle making or laying back for some well deserved relaxation. 

Beaches

A leisure cycle is a great way to get the whole family out and exercising! It allows you to travel further whilst still getting to experience the local area. Why not take your family along the Camel Trail in Cornwall? Or Maybe go and hunt a Gruffolo in Delamere Forest, Cheshire, the possibilities are endless! Whether you are a family who loves biking together on relaxing forrest paths or a serious Wiggins type who prefers fast road cycling, there is no doubt that camping holidays give you the freedom to take your cycling hobby with you, wherever you decide to go in the UK.  Plenty of great campsites are near cycling paths and some may also offer bicycle hire too, showing you the best routes to take for a great day out cycling.  

Cycling

Whether you skate as a sport or just for fun, it's a great way to get your body moving when it's cold outside or to cool down during the summer months. It's also a wonderful activity to enjoy with your family or friends!  Ice skating has been a popular activity for centuries, and the act of gliding across ice on blades has probably been around for even longer! So why not head to the nearest rink today to have a fun filled session! 

Ice Skating

Kitesurfing is an exhilirating and fun sport. To start it is strongly recommended to take lessons. Normally you would start out by doing a 3 day course to learn the basics including safety, kite control and board control. Half of the course would take place on land to get used to the kite and learn about the wind window, and the second half is about getting started on the water! Kitesurfing is a sport for all ages, although it is necessary to be able to confidently swim in deep water. Kitesurfing is great fun and the progression is really fast. Your instructor will guide you through and make learning a breeze. When independent the UK is a truly fantastic kitesurf location to explore, with somewhere for every wind direction and great year rround conditions! 

Kitesurfing & Kiteboarding

These days you need to really hunt for a Lido.  They are out there but you need to know where to look.  And when you find one they really are worth it.  From Devon to Aberdeen to Yorkshire you can find magnificent outdoor swimming pools across the UK, and they combine exercise, mental wellbeing and the wonders of fresh air.  Don't believe me?  Give it a try.  The feeling of outdoor swimming really does wonders for the soul.  Plus some of them have really amazing views too. Most lidos are open in the warmer months only (how very, very sensible) but some are open all year round.  Brrr.  So in this instance pack a wetsuit, ice pick and Bear Grylls survival pack for when you drag yourself out.  Yes OK I'm a fair-weather Lido swimmer.  But this is to my detriment I'm sure.  Studies have actually proven that swimming in colder water helps you sleep better, improves circulation and boosts your immune system.  Plus, you feel like a total hero when you come out of the water and everyone is clapping.  Find a Lido near you and give it a go! 

Lidos

Colchester is a historic market town (Britains first city) in the country of Essex and is the former capital of Roman Britain, with a history dating back over 2000 years.  It is home to many fantastic museums - the Hollytrees Museum, located in the grounds of Castle Park, which exhibits 300 years of toys, clocks, costumes and watches, taking you back to your childhood with many vintage collections.   Or the family favourite Natural History Museum, where you can get up close to nature and find out all about the local environment, from as far back as the Ice Age, right up to present day.  Lots to discover here.  As well as being steeped in history, Colchester has many modern, world-class attractions on its doorstep including Colchester Zoo, home to hundreds of species of exciting, unusual and rare animals set in 60 acres of lakes and gorgeous parkland.  You will see rhino, giraffes, big cats, zebra and many other members of the animal kingdom wandering around the plains. 

Colchester

Southend on Sea, Essex, UK 

Thurrock, Essex, England, UK

Essex is a county in Southeast England lying between London and the North Sea.   Colchester - the oldest town in England - was once the capital of Roman Britain and is a city steeped in history and interesting things to see and do.  The Castle, build in the 11th Century is now home to a museum, full of interactive exhibits and history about the city.  The lovely gardens of Castle Park are also well worth a visit.  Colchester Zoo is a great family friendly attraction and raises money for wildlife conservation projects in Africa so you are putting money to a good cause with a visit here.  If you would prefer some old fashioned English seaside fun, head to Southend on Sea with its lovely beaches and paddle-able seafront.  There is a pier here over 2km long (a train runs along it if its too far for you!) and a permanent funfair here so the kids will be well entertained.   The coastal towns of Harwich, Mersea Island and Maldon are also worth a visit.   

Essex, East England, UK

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, East England, UK

East Anglia, East England, England, UK

Hertfordshire, East England, UK

The East of England contains Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The area has stunning countryside and is a perfect place to get outdoors.

East of England, UK

East Midlands

London, UK

North East England

North West England

South East England, UK

South West England, UK

West Midlands, UK

Yorkshire and the Humber, UK

England is a totally unique travel destination, well known for its history, natural beauty, vast range of attractions and beautiful countryside landscapes and coastlines. 

England, UK

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make up the extraordinary United Kingdom; home to mountains, caves, rivers, dramatic coastlines, medieval villages and vibrant cities.

Places nearby

southend-on-sea

thurrock

Things to do in colchester