Essex | Days out with Kids

The gardens are ‘Capability’ Brown’s most successful pastoral landscapes and remain substantially as they were when first created. Later features include a restored Parterre garden, a rose garden and fountains, and the restored 19th century walled kitchen garden now in use as a working organic kitchen garden. Attractions thoroughout the year include open-air concerts, craft and garden shows and landscaped garden walks.

If it’s culture, history or entertainment you’re after, Keith Prowse Tickets has ideas for every family.

With attractions including ‘Hop On Hop Off’ bus tours of the capital, Theme Parks like Thorpe Park or explorations of UNESCO world heritage sites and not forgetting tickets to the hottest family shows in the West End – the opportunities available on Keith Prowse Tickets are simply endless!

With new products uploaded on a regular basis, you and your family are guaranteed access to the latest and greatest family activities around. So how about the spanking new Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour? It’s bound to thrill and engage Potter fans of all ages.

No more trawling the Internet in search of inspiration… Keith Prowse will provide your family a low-cost, original and fulfilling day to remember.

Web: www.ukclimbing.com/databases/listings/clubs.html

“ Where you can find something for everyone.”

• 2 swimming pools providing both casual and teaching sessions.
• Children’s Holiday programme running every holiday offering a variety of sports, art and young persons activities. Fully supervised.
• Sports Courses in football, badminton, squash, trampolining and volleyball to name a few.
• Club2K1 Friday evening gym club promoting a healthier lifestyle for 12-16 year olds.
• Junior circuits and Junior Yoga courses available.
• Fitness Centre with the latest technology in gym equipment. Junior memberships available.

Marsh Farm is a working farm where children can get close to farm animals and play safely in our adventure play areas. There is also a Country Park, which boasts excellent coastal walks and superb views of the River Crouch.

We organise seasonal activities and events throughout the year as well as fantastic birthday parties. Visit our website for full details.

It’s great fun, competitive, totally interactive and best of all you don’t need to be a golfer! Microchips in each ball record individuals’ performances and scores are instantly displayed on screen in your all-weather bay. Play with family, friends, colleagues… whatever your age and ability, we’ll get you started and guarantee you’ll be hooked.

Have you got what it takes to be a suave international jewel thief? Could you make it as a top secret agent?

Head down to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! London and put your sneaky side to the test in the new Impossible Laser Race – the capital’s best new interactive attraction.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is the largest Ripley’s Believe It or Not!® attraction in the world and showcases a place of wonders right in the heart of the Capitals West End.

With everything you can imagine (and plenty more you can’t), Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is a family day out that’s definitely out of the ordinary.

If you'd like to throw a fantastic party this year, head for Megabowl & Tenpin. We've got a terrific party package that is available for groups of six adults or more and for children aged 5 years and over, our Birthday Party packages are great fun!

Check our website regularly for our latest news as well as to join our online club so you can be the first to hear about our exclusive offers, events and promotions.

Sign the whole family up for some high-energy fun at the Fire Academy and enjoy the acrobatic entertainers at the pirate themed Stunt Show. Everyone will be fascinated by the incredible LEGO® models throughout the park. From comical camels to world landmarks and a yellow submarine, it’s amazing what can be built with millions of LEGO bricks!

With over 55 interactive rides and attractions, there’s just too much to experience in one day!

Web: www.colchestermuseums.org.uk

Visit the website to see full details and dates for special events throughout the year including jousting, archery and re-enactment battles.

Web: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Theme Parks: Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington WoA, LEGOLAND Windsor, Disneyland Resort Paris, Port Aventura, Disney World Resort, Florida, Orlando FlexTickets - and much more.
Heritage Sites: HM Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Warwick Castle, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle, Warwick Castle, Tower Bridge Exhibition.
Visitor Attractions: London Eye, The Dungeons, Madame Tussauds, Original London Sightseeing Tour, The Big Bus Company, Jorvik Viking Centre, Ripley's Beleive it or Not!
Natural World: London Zoo, London Aquarium, 10 UK SEA LIFE Centres, Whipsnade Zoo
River Sightseeing: London Ducktours, City Cruises, Thames Clippers, Flying Fish Jet Boat Tours
Eating Out: Hard Rock Café VIP Meal, Medieval Banquet, Bateaux London

Plus much more!

The National Cycle Network is 5000 miles of safe, signed, attractive cycle routes, open and mapped in June 2000. It is made up of traffic-free sections and traffic-calmed road and minor roads, running right through urban centres and reaching all parts of the UK.

Sustrans is the charity co-ordinating the project and will continue to work with local authorities to expand the Network to a target of 10,000 miles by 2005.

For more information on the National Cycle Network and Sustrans and a copy of their free catalogue of maps, information sheets and technical publications please call the number above or visit their website.

E-Mail: info@nationalcyclenetwork.org.uk

Meet ‘Tallulah’ and ‘Barbara’ the pigs, ‘Ella’ and ‘Eve’ the goats, tiny mice, slimy snails, and even ' Newton’ the bearded dragon! Take a stroll or a tractor and trailer ride (weekends & school holidays only) to the working dairy farm and see our cows being milked, ride mini tractors, dig in ‘The Pit’, or whizz down the cow slide in our new Bundle Barn indoor soft play area.

Open 10:00 – 17:00 from beginning of February – end October.

For more information, opening times and prices: