What's on in Essex - May Half Term Events 2025
- Essex Parks
- May 8
- 10 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
The Essex May Bank Holiday Half Term Guide 2025
The late May Bank Holiday falls on Monday 26th May 2025. Essex Schools break up for the May Half Term on Friday 23rd May and return on Monday 2nd June 2025. If you are looking for things to do to entertain the kids this May Half Term, Parks of Essex has you covered. On Parks of Essex you can always find seasonal, school holiday event guides. Here you can find the best family friendly events in Essex this May, including May Bank Holiday Events in Essex.
If you are looking for free days out in Essex, we have tonnes of great playgrounds listed. Our Directory has over 100 Parks in Essex including the our favourite playgrounds in Chelmsford, Southend-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, Braintree, Wickford and Mersea Island. If you are looking for family friendly days out in Essex, keep reading for over 70 events. You can find days out at farms and zoos in Essex, as well as kid friendly museums and other attractions in Essex.
Free Things to do in Essex this May Half Term
Parks of Essex is the place to find the BEST parks. Playgrounds make for a great FREE day out in Essex. All of our park posts details park facilities and contain parking information (that's where to park and how much parking costs!). If you are after a totally free day out in Essex, check out our guide to Over 50 playgrounds which have FREE PARKING.
Visit the Peter Rabbit Trail! The trail is a permanent feature at Langdon Nature Discovery Centre. The Peter Rabbit Character Trail features several beautifully carved wooden sculptures. You can find all your favourite Peter Rabbit characters on this nature reserve! The Trail is FREE and so is parking.
You can find The Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park, Brentwood. There are a series of wooden, sculptures located close to the car park and around the lake at Weald Country Park. There are also two play areas and you can also feed the deer at Weald Country Park.
Pets' Corner is a lovely little farm, which is located in the grounds of Harlow Town Park, Essex. A NEW Africa Enclosure was opened in February 2025. There are also two great play areas at Town Park. This great farm is FREE to enter, donations are welcome to support the running of this farm.
Free Events in Essex May Half Term
Rock the Park - Harlow Town Park 24th and 25th May
Harlow Town Park is a family favourite. There are two playgrounds, a skate park, seasonal paddling pool and free farm! There are plenty of great, community events lined up for 2025 including music festivals! Rock the Park is a FREE family festival taking place over May Half Term! Check out the main stage, bar, food stalls and acoustic tent.
Salary Brook, Greenstead, CO4 5YR 27th and 28th May
27th - Wild Woodland fun - Enjoy crafts and woodland games amongst the trees. Make the most of the great outdoors! 1.30pm - 3pm
28th - The Great Mini Beast Hunt and Pond Dipping - Swish through the long grass with sweep nets or see what you can find in ponds. Drop in between 1.30pm - 3pm
A-Z OF EVENTS
The following events are listed A - Z by location. Click the location for more information on the park/attraction, including parking costs and facilities guide.
Click Book Event for a direct link to book tickets, where advanced tickets are required. More events will be added as the month goes on so make sure to check back regularly.
Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir is a great Nature Discovery Park. There is a permanent Bramley Hedge woodland character trail and great natural play area. Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir has lots of family friendly school holiday events.
28th - Wilder Holiday Club (Drop off Day) £37
30th - Pond Dipping £6
Enjoy a day out exploring the spacious grounds and estate of one of England’s grandest mansions, English Heritage Audley End. Adults £24, Children £15
24th - 1st - Get ready for a fun-filled outdoor adventure at Audley End with hands-on activities this May half term. Challenge your family and friends to giant jenga, test your skills on the balance board or test your cunning with a classic chess game. Enjoy fun and games in the fresh air!
There are plenty of amazing ancient woodland to explore at Belfairs Woods in Leigh-on-Sea! Children will love den building, splashing in the streams and puddles and also the challenging wooden adventure playground! This May
26th - Nature Tots Special £8
26th - Family Forest Fun £8
30th - Wilder Holiday Club £37
23rd - 26th - Open Air Cinema - Head over to Braintree Village film festival this May. Tickets from £5, films include Moana 2, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Barbie, Wicked, Shrek, Mama Mia, Toy Story, the Greatest Showman and Harry Potter.
Castle Park (Lower Castle Park Footbridge)
Colchester Castle Park has so many fantastic facilities - a great playground, cafes, a traditional bandstand, boating lake and gardens. There are also attractions including crazy golf, museums and of course Colchester Castle.
26th - Bark In The Park - Dog Show! Show off your furry friend's talents! Meet other dog lovers, shop and enjoy delicious treats. Also expect funfair Rides, face Painting, bouncy castle, shops and games. Entry £5 per adult.
Chelmsford Museum at Oaklands Park
Chelmsford Museum is a super child friendly museum located in Oaklands Park. There are also two playgrounds within the beautiful park grounds. The gardens here are beautiful and there is lots of space to explore!
27th - 29th - History Heros Saxon Week - Step back into Saxon times this May half term! Weave like a Saxon, make your own brooch, solve riddles and decode runes, explore real and replica objects, dress up like a Saxon. Activities are designed for ages 6+.
Daws Hall is a 25 acre private nature reserve on the Essex/Sussex Border. Daws Hall regularly run school holiday events.
28th - Holiday Activities - Minibeast hunting, pond dipping with a picnic and marshmallows by the fire at Lunchtime. £8 per child
There are amazing birdwatching opportunites at this Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. Explore bird hides with estuary views. There is a great play area and there are regular family friendly events hosted by EWT.
28th - Geocaching and Navigating £8
29th - Wilder Holiday Club £37
30th - Wilder Adventures £7
31st and 1st - The Bourne Valley Crafters return to Flatford with their summer craft fair. Browse from a beautiful range of crafts, including ceramics, jewellery, art, fabric work and wood work.
Garon Park in Southend-on-Sea home to Southend cricket ground, a swimming pool and other great facilities. Several family events are hosted at Garon Park throughout the year.
30th - Mega Fun Day- Garon Park will be transformed into a huge inflatable arena. There will also be children’s entertainer. Early Bird Tickets from £7.99
Great Holland Pits Nature Reserve, CO13 0EU
1st - Pond Dipping A longstanding annual event for families with children to enjoy supervised pond dipping in a variety of the reserve’s ponds. No Booking. Discretionary fee.
Hanningfield Nature Reserve has fantastic woodland walks around the reservoir. There is a Wind in the Willows themed nature sculpture trail which children will love. There are some great holiday events this year.:
28th - Family Forest Fun £8
28th - Woodland Evening Adventure £8.80
29th - Nature Tots Summer Special £8
Harlow Town Park is a family favourite. There are two playgrounds, a skate park, seasonal paddling pool and free farm! The Park has several beautiful, unique gardens (including a sensory garden), nature reserves and a wonderful bandstand. There are plenty of great, community events lined up for 2025 including music festivals!
24th 25th - Rock the Park - FREE family music festival! Check out the main stage, bar, food stalls and acoustic tent.
Hedingham Castle is great for a family day out. There is plenty of history! The keep is nearly 900 years old and the House now over 300 years old. There are plenty of family events at Hedingham Castle throughout the year.
25th - Knights of Royal England Joust - Explore the ancient Castle and stunning gardens, as well as experience many medieval pursuits including archery, axe throwing, birds of prey and much more. Juniors £16, Under 4s Free, Adults £21.50
28th - Owl by Candlelight
High Woods Country Park is perfect for family walks due to the wonderful meadows, lakes and woodlands. High Woods Country Park also has nature inspired children's play areas.
28th - The Great Mini Beast Hunt - Join the rangers for the Great Mini Beast Hunt at High Woods Country Park and discover some of the millions of creatures who call High Woods home. £6.20 per child (pre-booking is essential)
31st - Pond Dipping - Join the education rangers for a pond dipping session at High Woods Country Park and discover what creatures hide under the surface. £6 per child (pre-booking is essential)
Bank Holiday Family Festival! Bouncy castles & inflatables, fairground rides, meet and sing along with the Ice Sisters (Monday only), kids crafts, soft play, pony cycles. Tickets include general admission to the sanctuary.
Get ready for a week of fun, laughter, and friendly competition as we celebrate the joys of spring. Gather your family and friends for an unforgettable day of exhilarating games and activities in the great outdoors. Entrance to the gardens Adults £15.85, Children £7.95, Under 5s Free Book Events
Guess How Much I Love You Trail NEW for 2025! The Nutbrown Hare family from the beautiful Guess How Much I Love You book series has hopped over to RHS Hyde Hall. The Guess How Much I Love You Trail is a series of sweet, informative activity boards and photo opportunities. The trail is included with admission to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens. You can find out all the details by checking out our blog post on the NEW Guess How Much I Love You Trail!
Essex Wildlife Trust's Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discovery is in Hornchurch Country Park. There are trails for dog walking, cycling and running within the park, as well as a great play area. There are also great family events held at Hornchurch Country Park
29th - Family Fun £6
30th - Wilder Holiday Club £37
Langdon Nature Reserve has so many family friendly events! Firstly, Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Nature Discovery Centre is home to the Peter Rabbit wooden sculpture trail! There is also a Half Term trail and the following events:
24th - 1st - Half Term Trail - Pick up a map from inside the Nature Discovery Centre and venture outside to complete the May trail. Once you've completed It head back to the centre to collect a prize! £4 per child. No booking required.
28th - Nature Tots £8
28th - Family Forest Fun £8
28th - Birds of Prey Evening - £12
29th - Wilder Holiday Club - ££7
Explore the Arboretum and stunning landscapes at Markshall! Markshall Estate is home to trees from across the world, inspiring gardens and ancient woodland.
Entry Adults £11, Child over 3 £6.30, Under 3 free entry.
Until 23rd May - Tree Rubbing Trail - Included with general admission
The Naze nature reserve has beautiful, coastal walking trails. It is the home of the iconic Naze Tower. The Naze cliffs are also brilliant for fossil hunting! Check out our Guide - Where to find Fossils in Essex. There are also great events held by Essex Wildlife Trust.
26th - The Naze Nature Tots £6
30th - Naze Family Fossil Discovery £5
27th and 29th - Just get over it - Are you ready to beat the wall, climb walls, swing on the mighty monkey bars. £23 per child
24th - 1st - Magical Mayhem - the usual Farm Fun plus silliness! Admission applies.
Priory Park is a great park. There is lots to do here and there is a large, fenced off playground suitable for toddlers and bigger kids. The circus is coming to Priory Park this half term!
22nd - 26th - Circus Zyair - Fearless acrobats and daredevil stuntmen guarantee maximum thrills by risking life and limb daily for your entertainment. The dazzling combination of high energy, jaw dropping talent and electric atmosphere promises a magical and unforgettable experience for the whole family. Book Event
This popular river side park is situated on the river Blackwater. Promenade Park has something for everyone. The park hosts several playgrounds including The Valley Play Area and the Secret Garden Inclusive Play Area.There is also a petting zoo, adventure golf, skateboard park, BMX track, model boating lake and an amazing seasonal splash park.
4th - Mud Run! - Maldon's unique Mud Race sees 300 fund-raising competitors plough through the River Blackwater's famous mud and chilly water from Promenade Park to the other side of the river at Heybridge and back. The park will be packed, with DJs, entertainment, stalls and food, plus giant TV screens to help visitors capture every moment.
Entry is now closed but you can still attend to support those mud racing for charity! Find out more about this Event
24th - 1st - Downs Steam Fair - A traditional vintage steam fair opening daily to entertain visitors with vintage rides from days gone by. Rides include Steam gallopers/carousel, big wheel, chair-o-planes & Helter Skelter. Plus children’s rides & games. Ride prices vary, tokens purchased onsite. Find out more about this Event
26th - Family Forest Fun - look for mini beasts, get making in the mud kitchen, build dens, climb trees, be creative with our craft, and enjoy a campfire (weather permitting - we will send an email of food suggestions for toasting after booking)! This event is suitable for children aged 3+. Please come dressed for the weather as we will be outside for the whole session.
Essex Wildlife Trust's Thameside Nature Park is amazing for families, walkers and little explorers. The reserve has nature hides to sit and observe birds and nature from, walking trails and a visitor centre with a viewing deck. Small children will love the boat themed playground and there is also a wooden assault course for bigger kids. There are also great seasonal events!
23rd - Birds of Prey Evening - £12
30th - Family Forest Fun £8
30th - Wild Evening Out £6
Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration -
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