Explore our events and activities
Check out amazing activities and exciting events at our unique collection of Essex Country Parks and heritage places. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to make the most of the amazing places on your doorstep and beyond.
Browse our blogs for ideas on what to do and where to go.
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Archive Explorers Club: Essex Record Office
Come along to our free stay and play session for parents, carers and under-fives for an opportunity to meet other parents, enjoy a hot drink, and look through a selection of historic records.
- Dates:
- November 12, 2026
- November 26, 2026
- December 10, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Free

Chai Lates at Colchester Arts Centre
A masala blend like no other; Chai Lates is a series of four unforgettable cabaret-style evenings at Colchester Arts Centre, packed with performances which will leave you craving another cup.
- Dates: November 13, 2026
- Times: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £5.00

North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley
North Essex Astronomical Society is one of the larger astronomical societies in the UK with over 200 members. They are also one of the few providing members with access to a full-sized observatory at a dark-sky location
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Parkrun Junior: Great Notley Country Park
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- November 15, 2026
- November 22, 2026
- November 29, 2026
- December 6, 2026
- December 13, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park
Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.
- Dates:
- November 16, 2026
- November 23, 2026
- November 30, 2026
- December 7, 2026
- January 18, 2027
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: £9.00 per child, siblings £5.00

Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park
Aimed at home educated children, this series of six sessions at Danbury Country Park includes nature activities, forest crafts, imagination, physical play and building things.
- Dates:
- November 16, 2026
- November 23, 2026
- November 30, 2026
- December 7, 2026
- January 18, 2027
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Now booking for November and the New Year 2027. Sibling discounts available.

ERO Presents: Coin hoarding in Late Saxon Essex
Join speaker Philip Wise for this talk about the Braintree and Hatfield Peverel hoards, why they might have been buried and what they can tell us about the use of coins by the population of Essex in the 11th century.
- Dates: November 24, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £6.75

Merry Minds Festive Fun Run at Great Notley Country Park
Get ready to jingle all the way at Merry Minds Festive Fun Run - a merry 5k walk/run that's all about festive fun, community spirit and raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
- Dates: November 28, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: See website.

Merry Minds Festive Fun Run at Weald Country Park
This feel-good event brings people together to move, laugh and connect, while supporting a great cause.
- Dates: November 28, 2026
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: See website.

One Day Natural Christmas Decorations course with Jo Hammond: Cressing Temple Barns
Enjoy a relaxing day creating natural decorations in this one day workshop with Jo Hammond.
- Dates: December 5, 2026
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £80.00 or £70.00 (£70.00 price only available to Friends of Cressing Temple)

Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park
Don’t let the children have all the fun, connecting with nature is beneficial for everyone. Come and join us at our Family Forest School sessions.
- Dates:
- December 5, 2026
- February 6, 2027
- March 6, 2027
- April 17, 2027
- May 8, 2027
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £10 for the first child. £6 for siblings. Accompanying adults Free. Under 18 months free.

Chai Makes - Masala Magic at Colchester Arts Centre
In this family-friendly workshop, you will learn about the different types of Indian tea, get to explore the magic of masala and learn how to make this iconic hot beverage.
- Dates: December 13, 2026
- Times: 10:30am - 12:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Tickets Pay what you can afford (Suggested minimum of £2)

Great Greyhound Walks: Great Notley Country Park
Greyhound Walks are for sighthounds, greyhound and lurcher owners who meet on a Sunday morning for an hour's stroll.
- Dates:
- December 13, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 10:30am - 11:30am
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

ERO Presents: Magical ‘crime’ in Early Modern England
Join speaker: Alison Rowlands for this talk which analyses the two key pieces of legislation that made the English witch-trials of the 16th and 17th century possible.
- Dates: January 12, 2027
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £6.75

Hadleigh Legacy 10k
The award-winning Hadleigh Legacy 10k is not your average trail race.
- Dates: February 28, 2027
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 10:30am - 1:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £23.00 to £25.00

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part

Parkrun: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Hadleigh Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Marsh Farm Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Marsh Farm Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Weald Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Event location map

Site Hire
Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.

