A Colchester hot air balloon ride is a truly memorable experience. Your ballooning adventure will start from the Ardleigh Showground where you'll have the opportunity to help prepare the balloon for flight, by helping to inflate the balloon, before taking to the skies…
Join Colchester’s own Jane Taylor on a celestial adventure, inspired by her timeless poem, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Embark on a cosmic odyssey as we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Essex writer’s passing and trace the fascinating legacy…
Every Saturday, children and families can join in with free games, have fun, move more, and make friends. It’s the perfect way to start the weekend and to enable communities to get active. Before you come along to your first ParkPlay, we need you to register…
The Free Family Fun Festival returns to Colchester's Castle Park on 21st September from 11:00-16:00. Save the date and discover lots of brilliant free things to do for all the family including bouncy castles, face painting, games and activities.
Take a guided walking tour around Colchester to discover its history and heritage with an expert guide. Colchester was Britain's first city, and is now it's newest after regaining city status in 2022. With a story stretching back over 2000 years, join one of our official…
Head down to Castle Park on a warm Sunday in September for a fun-packed day with the family! Headway Essex have proudly hosted the Essex Classic Vehicle Show for some time now and this year is set to be another al fresco success! Lower Castle Park will be filled to the brim with…
A different adventure every week… rope walks, hammocks, woodland crafts, den building, mini beast hunting, climbing, fire making, cooking, pond dipping and so much more! £6 per child.
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 giving rides, and…
Join us for Starlight Spectacular at the Castle, an enchanting evening where you can explore the wonders of the universe with a planetarium, engaging talks, and space-themed crafts. Weather permitting, you'll also have the rare opportunity to gaze at the moon through a…
Get Spooky with Author Lisa Wakely at Our Halloween Creative Writing Workshop! Calling all young writers aged 8-14! Join us at Colchester Castle for a Halloween-themed creative writing workshop. Led by author Lisa Wakely, this workshop will help you bring your scariest…
Join Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership on the train to the Harwich Shanty Festival. Soak up the atmosphere of the sea shanty crew singing and pirates aboard this the train.
Explore ‘boo’tiful High Woods Country Park and find the Eight Ghosts of High Woods. They will reveal the secret word. Whisper the secret word to the scary staff at the Visitor Centre to claim your ghost hunters’ reward! Do not be afraid, the ghosts are mostly…
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: • Unlimited rides with…
The Wicked Witch has returned and has banished Queen Tatiana from the Secret Fairy Garden and has filled it with lots of spooky things, turning it into the Scary Fairy Garden! The Wicked Witch has created a forcefield that Tatiana’s magic alone cannot thwart, she needs your…
Sleepover in Colchester Castle! Knightzzz at the Castle is back! If you’ve ever wondered what Colchester Castle is like at night, then this is your chance to find out. Join the team for a sleepover experience like no other. Set up camp in your chosen spot and get…
Join us for a spine-tingling journey through Colchester Castle where tales of medieval life and eerie legends come to life. Take on the trail as a family or individually and uncover hidden secrets and surprises at every turn. The Castle's ancient walls, steeped in history…
The popular Shriek Week return this October, providing a week of SPOOK-TACULAR daytime halloween activities at Colchester Zoo. Suitable for children of all ages, Shriek Week offers range of FANG-TASTIC activities will keep the family entertained all day long. Colchester Zoo…
Step into the shadows of the past with our Haunted History Family Tour. Designed for families seeking both thrills and education, this spine-chilling journey weaves together the rich history of the castle with eerie tales of ghostly legends and supernatural occurrences. As you…
Step into the past where a costumed character will guide you through a fascinating exploration of medieval weaponry and armour. Discover the craftsmanship behind these historic objects, including their creation, purpose, and function. Visitors will also have a unique opportunity…
By the pricking of my thumbs, a bewitching week this way comes! From the 28th to the 1st of November, join our coven for a Halloween-themed celebration brimming with enchantments and eerie delights! Stir your cauldrons and brew mystical potions, craft wands imbued with…
Join us for a spine-tingling adventure at the Castle Spooktacular Family Fun Night! Come dressed in your most creative costumes and step into a world of spooktacular fun! Enjoy a night filled with thrilling games, eerie crafts, and a party bag packed with treats and surprises. As…
This Halloween, dive into the eerie side of history with our Dark Spirits Castle Tour, inspired by our spine-chilling Wicked Spirits exhibition. Explore the castle’s shadowy corners and uncover the darker tales that lurk within its ancient walls. This specially curated tour…
A great way to visit the East Anglian RailwayMuseum and have unlimited rides in our vintage wagons or carriages, pulled by one of our fleet of Diesel locomotives, or one of our vintage diesel trains. We operate unlimited rides between 10.30 – 15.30, the Museum opens at…
Join in our spooky Halloween craft activities and ghoulish ghost walk! Make witches and wizards broomsticks, magic whittled wands and scary spiders webs. After all those hair-raising activities our session will finish with hot chocolate and marshmallows around the fire.
A firm favourite with families, they're a great opportunity to visit the Museum and have a ride in vintage wagons or carriages pulled by one of our restored Steam Engines. Our miniature railway will also be in operation. We operate unlimited rides between 10.30 – 15.30…