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Enjoying the Penguins at Colchester Zoo

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Kids & Families

Colchester is a town full of child-friendly venues, and has a fantastic selection of events for children and families running throughout the year. 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.

With a zoo and a castle, you'll find plenty to spark a child's imagination. You can discover local beaches and wildlife parks, as well as a range of fantastic activities for wet weather days 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 our best attractions, and there's always something available to do for free so a visit needn't break the bank.

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 town 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 indoors too long, burn off some energy at an indoor activity centre - take your pick from Leisure World, Rollerworld, Jump Street, or a Soft Play centre.

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Number of results: 27

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Colchester Castle Museum

Address

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Telephone
01206 282939

museums@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED* Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum
Colchester Zoo

Address

Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL

Telephone
01206 331292

enquiries@colchesterzoo.org

Colchester

Colchester Zoo is home to 240 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes! Listed as the 11th best zoo around the world and in the top 2 zoos in the UK as part of the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Attractions.
Childsplay Adventureland

Address

Clarendon Way, North Station, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1XF

Telephone
01206 366566

info@childsplayadventureland.co.uk

Colchester

Childsplay Adventureland is the premier indoor play facility for under 11's (maximum height 4' 5"). We have special areas for babies, toddlers and youngsters as well as a pleasant atmosphere for parents.
High Woods Country Park Walks

Address

Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Highwoods, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JR

Telephone
01206 853588

countryside.team@colchester.gov.uk

Highwoods, Colchester

Download a map of High Woods Country Park to discover the dedicated walking trails in this scenic parkland
Colchester Climbing Project

Address

Unit B&C Global Park, 12 Moorside, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TJ

Telephone
01206 791194

Colchester

Essex's only dedicated bouldering centre, Colchester Climbing Project allows you to scale walls up to 4m high. No ropes are used and instead the floors are covered with deep mats.
Family Heritage Treasure Trail

Address

Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG

Telephone
01206 282920

vic@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

One of the best things about Colchester is that there's so much to explore that's completely free. Pick up a Family Heritage Treasure Trail from the Visitor Information Centre, follow the map, and discover some of the town's historical highlights. …
Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve

Address

South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe, Essex, CO5 7DN

Telephone
01206 729678

fingringhoe@essexwt.org.uk

Fingringhoe

Nature reserve over 200 acres of mixed habitat on the Colne Estuary. Nature trails, wheelchair access, bird hides, gift shop and visitor centre with tea room. Friendly atmosphere. Regular events for adults and children.
Castle Park

Address

High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ

Telephone
01206 282962

parks@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

The jewel in Colchester’s crown - an award-winning oasis of horticultural splendour boasting a children’s play area, putting green and boating lake.
Cudmore Grove Country Park

Address

East Mersea, East Mersea, Essex, CO5 8UE

Telephone
01206 383868

country.parks@essex.gov.uk

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.
Leisure World Colchester

Address

Leisure World Colchester, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH

Telephone
01206 282000

contact.leisureworld@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

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.
Go Bananas

Address

9-10 Mason Road, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BX

Telephone
01206 761762

fun@go-bananas.co.uk

Colchester

Go Bananas Play Centre
There is Tiny Town for the under 5's, a 3 storey Aztec Adventure frame for thosed aged 5-12yrs and also a 6m Climbing Wall.
Ten Pin Colchester

Address

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex,, CO1 1YH

Telephone
0871 222 36 75

Colchester

Tenpin Colchester is an exciting venue for your day, or evening out, with 24 lanes, there is plenty of fun to be had for evveryone. As well as bowling there are arcade games, American pool and air hockey.
Putt in the Park

Address

Upper Bowling Green, Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG

Telephone
01206 579 499

colchester@puttinthepark.com

Colchester

An adventure golf course and clubhouse cafe, set in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Castle Park, Colchester.Designed to suit all abilities from the novice to the experienced golfer so the whole family can play.
Firstsite

Address

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH

Telephone
01206 713700

info@firstsite.uk.net

Colchester

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED* Firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.
Hollytrees Museum

Address

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UG

Telephone
01206 282940

laura.fairweather@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED* An important part of Colchester's rich history with three centuries of fascinating toys, costume and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718.
Rollerworld

Address

Eastgates, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2TJ

Telephone
01206 868868

info@rollerworld.co.uk

Colchester

DX's Rollerworld - internationally recognised as the finest roller-skating rink in Europe. DX's Rollerworld has got the lot! 25m x 50m maple floor, spectacular sound and light show. Quasar - 'Simply the Best' - the earth's favourite laser game.
Odeon Cinema

Address

Head Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NH

Colchester

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.
Jump Street Colchester

Address

21 Mason Road, Cowdray Centre, Colchester, CO1 1BX

Telephone
01206 911035

info@jumpstreet.co.uk

Cowdray Centre

Jump Street trampoline parks offer jump sessions in Essex, suitable for both adults & children. Jump Street is based both in Colchester & in Chelmsford, also offering adult fitness classes, toddler sessions, special needs support sessions.
Natural History Museum

Address

High Street, Colchester, CO1 1DN

Telephone
01206 282941

laura.fairweather@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester

*TEMPORARILY CLOSED* Discover and interesting 'hands-on' perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today. Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition, free entry.
High Woods Country Park

Address

Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Highwoods, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5JR

Telephone
01206 853588

countryside.team@colchester.gov.uk

Highwoods, Colchester

370 acres of woodland, grassland and wetland with path network, including circular walks and easy access trail. Visitor centre and interactive displays, rangers organise a range of activities throughout the year.