25 Things To Do In 2025

Taking place at five of the Essex Country Parks and many more venues across the county. These friendly events will help you get your run on.

Parkruns are held at Great Notley, Cudmore Grove, Hadleigh, Marsh Farm and Weald Country Parks

Join the RSPB Big Birdwatch, build your own bird feeder and encourage birds to your garden or buy from The Bird Box Project – joint with HMP Chelmsford and Essex Country Parks.

Go birdwatching and try the hide at Cudmore Grove.

Find The Gruffalo lurking in the deep dark wood at Thorndon or hug the Stick Man family tree at Weald Country Parks.

Did you know The Gruffalo at Thorndon is the very first and original trail?

Discover Hadleigh Bikes and Trailnet at Thorndon Country Parks.

The county’s first International Film Festival takes place Spring 2025 at multiple venues.

What will you watch?

Sign up to a course with Adult Community Learning (ACL) in Essex or one of the county's universities and learn something new this year.

Enjoy our incredible castles and heritage places in Essex including Colchester Castle, Hedingham Castle, Layer Marney Tower, Cressing Temple Barns and Audley End House and Gardens, along with many more.

Visit a Tiptree Tea Rooms in 2025 with family or friends and make time for tea.

The Barns Tea Rooms at Cressing Temple Barns has a special Templar scone to honour the heritage of the site.

Did you know you can research your family history and attend Essex Record Office (ERO) Presents – a series of talks on everything from witchcraft to recent archaeological finds.

From Colchester to Epping and everywhere in between. Find the hidden stories of our county’s heritage and visit a museum this year.

Take part in the Essex Library Service Winter and Summer Reading Challenges and visit the Essex Book Festival this year.

Read our blogs or download the Go Jauntly app for Essex based walks and re-discover old railway trails.

The Flitch Way and Blackwater Rail Trail offer miles of traffic free, town connecting routes nestled within the north Essex countryside.

Go beach combing at Cudmore Grove Country Park and explore the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Did you know we have 350 miles of coastline in Essex? Make the most of the coast and stunning Essex salt marsh throughout the year.

Did you know there are eight Essex Country Parks – which one will you visit first?

Sign up to the Essex Carbon Cutting App to discover easy ways you can help and check out the Love Essex website for tips on reducing waste, recycling and upcycling this new year.

Enjoy outdoor high ropes courses at Harlow High Adventure and Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park or try a taster sessions at Essex’s largest indoor climbing wall, The Lock to help you learn the ropes.

Get a new perspective on art and culture at Firstsite, Focal Point Gallery and more including the artists in residence at The Stables, Hylands.

Find out more about the winning entry of the Extraordinary Essex Art Commission.

Enjoy a play, musical, movie and more at your local theatre.

For more seasonal day's out inspiration at our local attractions and places visit our what's on pages in Essex Explorer magazine.

Discover dog agility courses at Belhus Woods and Thorndon South.

Read our top dog walks blogs and top tips for our canine friends at the Essex Country Parks.

Enjoy the county’s longest play trail at Great Notley Country Park, children’s play areas at parks across the county and exhilarating Holiday Activity Days at Essex Outdoors centres across the county.

Discover Sailing and Powerboat Experience Days from Bradwell-on-Sea and West Mersea or learn to captain your own boat with ‘Learn to’ courses.

Get involved in our Landscape Restoration and management projects at the Essex Country Parks across the county.

Meet like minded people and get involved. Volunteer with us.

You can find cafes at Belhus Woods, Great Notley, Hadleigh, Thorndon and Weald Country Parks. Meet with friends and reap the benefits of taking a walk and talk in the great outdoors.

Create lasting memories around the campfire, explore the native flora and fauna or swing in a hammocks on a Saturday morning once a month at Danbury Country Park.

Sessions coming to Great Notley Country Park in spring 2025.

You might also like term time Monday sessions for pre-school and home educated children.