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Colchester and its surrounding area is full of child-friendly venues and can provide one of the best family days out in Essex and the East of England.
With one of the best zoos in the country and a historic and family friendly castle for starters, Colchester is an appealing destination for children and their parents alike. When the sun is shining you can discover beautiful local beaches, nature discovery centres, the magical Wyvern Wood, or the newly opened Colchester Sports Park. On wet weather days there's still plenty to enjoy including a roller rink, trampoline park, and leisure pool.
Visit during the school holidays and you'll find a special programme of events put on by many of Colchester's best attractions, and there's always something available to do for free so a visit needn't break the bank.
Events for Children in Colchester
Discover a fun and entertaining selection of events for children and families running throughout the year ranging from kids sports, art activities for children, as well as nature clubs and games. From pre-schoolers to teenagers there's always something to keep the children entertained (and plenty to do that adults can secretly enjoy as well) making it the perfect destination for a family day out - or even a longer stay.
Wet Weather Ideas
Bad weather needn't put a dampener on your trip to Colchester. You'll find plenty to do under cover, sometime in the least likely of locations!
In the city centre, all the musuems and art galleries are child-friendly and within two minutes walk of each other. Most are also free entry. Perhaps you could catch a kids show at the Theatre or Arts centre too?
Colchester Zoo has a special 'duck under cover' route, keeping you dry and indoors (where many of the animals will be sheltering too)
Or if you've really been stuck inside too long, burn off some energy at an indoor activity centre - take your pick from Leisure World, Rollerworld, Jump Street, or one of Colchester's numerous Soft Play centres. Jump into our blog post on the subject to find out more.
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Browse our specially selected events listings for the perfect family activity that's right for you.- Find out how you can entertain the family without breaking the bank. From beaches to free festivals - it's all here.
- Don't let the rain ruin your holiday with our quick guide to easy solutions of what to do in a downpour.
Number of results: 39
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Address
St Osyth Road, Alresford, Essex, CO7 8ASAlresford
Wyvernwood is an immersive story-led experience near Colchester, Essex, for families with children aged 2-12.
Come and join in with the magic at WyvernwoodAddress
Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SLTelephone
01206 331292Colchester
Colchester Zoo is set within over 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes and is home to over 155 different species, including the critically endangered Amur leopards, Black and White Ruffed lemurs and Bornean orangutans.
Colchester
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum
Address
East Anglian Railway Museum, Station Road, Wakes Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DSTelephone
01206 242524Wakes Colne, Colchester
Our popular Small Trains Day is back for 2024 – but it's not just small trains – one of our full sized steam locomotives will also be in action with the Freight Train giving unlimited rides all day. Our Miniature Railway will also be in operation…
Address
Head Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NHColchester
The ODEON Cinema in Colchester is a fully digital eight screen cinema showing RealD and 3D films. It includes a large Costa Coffee shop and a Ben and Jerry's ice cream parlour.
Address
Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PTTelephone
01206 573948Colchester
A highly respected regional theatre, home to the critically acclaimed Mercury Theatre Company, staging a broad mix of classic plays and new writing as well as working extensively within the local community.
Colchester
An important part of Colchester's rich history with three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718.
Address
East Anglian Railway Museum, Station Road, Wakes Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DSTelephone
01206 242524Wakes Colne, Colchester
Join Thomas & Friends for family fun at the East Anglian Railway Museum. Take a train ride with Thomas, meet Sir Topham Hatt and join Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of excitement. There will be lots to enjoy, including: •…
Address
Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RTColchester
An opportunity to visit this Elizabethan fulling mill, which has an 18' working waterwheel.
East Mersea
Cudmore Grove offers visitors a trip to the seaside with a difference at the eastern tip of Mersea Island. The park includes a sandy beach and open grassland, perfect for picnics and great views.
Address
Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Highwoods, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JRTelephone
01206 853588Highwoods, Colchester
Download a map, including three walking trails of different lengths, of High Woods Country Park to best discover this scenic Country Park situated to the north of Colchester town centre.
Address
259 Greenstead Road, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2SJTelephone
01206 870700Colchester
Ultimate Ninja UK is a unique, purpose built indoor obstacle course located in Colchester, Essex.
Offering an impressive range full-sized ninja obstacles designed around a twin lane competition course built to provide a unique Ninja competition,…
Address
Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Abberton, Essex, CO2 0EUTelephone
01206 738172Abberton
Conservation centre run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, at a site of international importance for winter wildfowl. Nesting cormorants, common terns and nightingales. Nature trails for all the family and bird hides. Shop selling gifts, optics and…
Address
Leisure World Colchester, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YHTelephone
01206 282000Colchester
Leisure World Colchester is one of East Anglia's largest sports, leisure, recreation and entertainment venues and offers year round fun for all the family. The leisure pool includes outside river rapids ride, water cannons and flumes.
Address
Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7GZTelephone
01206 501785Colchester
The site of the Colchester Roman circus (chariot-racing arena) was discovered in 2004. It was built in the early 2nd century CE and seems to have been in use for about 150 years. It is the only known Roman circus in Britain.
Address
9-10 Mason Road, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BXTelephone
01206 761762Colchester
Go Bananas Play Centre, soft play with Tiny Town for the under 5's, a 3 storey Aztec Adventure frame for those aged 5-12yrs and also a 6m Climbing Wall.
Address
JobServe Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5UPTelephone
0845 437 9089Colchester
Colchester United was formed in 1937 and the club currently plays in League 2.
In August 2008 the club played their first match in their new stadium, now the JobServe Community Stadium, which is situated to the north of Colchester.
Colchester
Get up close to nature as you discover an interesting perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today.Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition.
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
Take a walk through Colchester Town Centre and discover fascinating facts about the Roman history right under your feet!
Address
Chappel And Wakes Colne Station, Station Road, Colchester, Essex, CO62DSTelephone
01206 242524Colchester
Classic cars, vintage motorbikes and modern head-turners, alongside the museum exhibits and FREE steam train rides.
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