Visit Essex: Enjoy Essex this Spring: Win an overnight stay for two!

Despite the wet and cold weather, summer is on its way. The days are getting longer and we are hopeful the sunshine will return soon. So ignore the April showers, and start planning a catch up with friends, day out with the kids or well-deserved overnight stay with a loved one in Essex – head to www.visitessex.com for ideas and inspiration.

Put a spring in your step…

Make the most of spring and the warmer weather (when it finally arrives!) with a stroll around some of Essex’s best outdoor spaces. Award-winning Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens is a delight to see in the springtime – you’ll find wildflowers growing in the Scree Garden and giant trillium thriving in the Woodland Garden. Or visit the walled gardens of the Harlow Museum – a hidden gem not to be missed! Head to Hadleigh Country Park, the home to mountain biking during the 2012 Olympics, where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the Thames estuary or with its network of footpaths and cycleways, Admirals Park in Chelmsford is perfect for an adventure with family and friends.

Explore spring inspiration.

Half term fun in Essex…
Before you know it, the May half term will be upon us… but don’t worry, Essex has a huge range of family-friendly activities for you all to enjoy. Here’s some of our favourites;

1. Try your hand at some of our traditional Victorian lawn games at Audley End House and Gardens in Saffron Walden.
2. Jump into half term at Airhop. With sites in Colchester and Chelmsford, a trip to one of their trampoline parks is sure to burn off some energy!
3. Take a trip to Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park to meet your favourite superheroes and princesses or be transported to a realm of magic and wonder at Wivenhoe House’s Princess Afternoon Tea.
4. All aboard for a day of unlimited rides in a vintage diesel train at East Anglian Railway Museum in Wakes Colne – a firm favourite with families.
5. Calling all budding gardeners… the RHS Family Garden Festival is one for you!
6. Ditch the screens for Just Get Over It – a 90 minute outdoor obstacle adventure. Mud guaranteed!
7. With a line-up you won’t want to miss, Hopefield Animal Sanctuary’s Family Festival is one for your diary.

Head to the seaside for Park Inn by Radisson’s Family Fun Day, with live entertainment, bouncy castle and family friendly

Not to be missed: May 2024

• 5 May 2024: Great Dunmow Soap Box Race
  Back for 2024, bigger and better than ever! This year promises to maintain its title of the second-largest soapbox race in the UK. Expect to see incredible hand-built soapboxes, spectacular crashes, and some brilliant obstacles all raising money for phenomenal local causes and charities. Book your ticket here.
• 17 – 19 May 2024: National Flower Show
  The National Flower Show returns in May 2024 for a three-day gardening extravaganza set in the stunning grounds of Hylands Estate in Chelmsford. Ideal for gardening enthusiasts and homeowners alike, this ever-growing event celebrates the best of gardening. Tickets on sale now.

24 – 26 May 2024: Ford RideLondon-Essex
The world’s greatest festival of cycling returns to Essex this May. The race will pass through areas of Essex including Colchester, Maldon, Uttlesford and Chelmsford. Find a spot along the route and enjoy the spectacle! These events often spur us on to get fit so, get some inspiration for cycling (and walking) trails in Essex here.

Win a luxurious stay for two in Essex…

Are you in need of a weekend away with a loved one? We’re giving you the chance to win a luxurious night’s stay for two in one of the beautiful rooms at the County Hotel in Chelmsford, complete with complimentary dinner and breakfast served in their outstanding restaurant, as well as a welcome bottle of prosecco. Competition closes Friday 10 May 2024 – Good luck!

Enter now.

In the spotlight: Colchester

Whether you’re a history buff who loves spending a couple of hours in a museum or you’re looking for some adventure along the coast, the Borough of Colchester has something to offer everyone. So, if you’re planning a trip to Essex, or you’re a local and looking for some new ideas for days out, check out our latest blog for things to do in Colchester. Make it Essex!