What’s on in Essex 2026
Our park at Orchards is a great place to base yourself and the family at any time of the year. To help you decide when to go, we’ve picked out the best events in the Essex calendar. Here’s what’s on in Essex in 2026.
Holiday Parks in Essex
Start planning your Great British break
Essex caravan holidays with Haven
From London to the coast in around two hours, Essex is made for easy seaside escapes. With more than 350 miles of coastline, traditional seaside towns and peaceful nature reserves, there's plenty to explore at your own pace.
At the heart of it all is Orchards Holiday Village, set on the Point Clear Peninsula and surrounded by creeks, coastal walks and wide-open views. Whether you're planning a family getaway, a couples break or trip with friends, our caravan holidays in Essex combine coastal scenery, great on-park facilities, and the freedom to holiday your way.
Essex
3 nights from £49
Our holiday park on the 'Essex Sunshine Coast' enjoys a lovely location near seawater creeks, close to the seaside fun of Clacton-on-Sea.
- Indoor and outdoor pool
- Coastal views
- Entertainment venue
- Golf course
Three great things about Essex
350 miles of coastline
Essex’s huge coastline is home to traditional seaside towns, subtle remnants of history and and fresh sea air. Walk along the Sunshine Coast from Clacton to Frinton to experience all its glory.
Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
A quiet change of scenery, Dedham Vale is home to lush greenery, riverside strolls and traditional places to eat. It’s a great day out for all the family, and is close to Orchards Holiday Village.
Home to Britain’s oldest city
The historic centre of Colchester, Britain’s oldest city, is great for the whole family. Boasting one of Britain’s smallest towns, Manningtree, it's also home to Tiptree, known for its famous jam.
Like to look around a stately home? How about the decadent 17th century manor at Audley End House – it even offers a glimpse at what life was like "below stairs". Next, set out for St. Andrews Church, Greensted: it's the oldest wooden church in the world. Or picture yourself at the Jaywick Martello tower, a former Napoleonic fort transformed into an arts venue. In fact, you'll find art galleries of all sorts all over Essex – it is Constable Country, after all. To keep the kids happy, visit Colchester Zoo, home to over 220 different species, or Tropical Wings Zoo, where you can see free-flying butterflies all year round! Or if you prefer a more hands-on approach to animals, Old McDonald's Farm is the perfect name for a petting farm.
Hasty’s Adventure Farm
Clacton’s best spot some animal fun is Hasty’s Adventure Farm. The spacious site is home to lambs, pigs and many more farm creatures that little ones will love.
Clacton Pier soft play centre
Take the youngest in the family to this centre of fun on Clacton Pier. There’s a soft section just for tots and a main ball pit for when they get slightly older. You can tie it in with everything else on the pier too!
Colchester Zoo
One of the East of England’s best zoos and an easy day out from us at Orchards. Looking after over 180 different species, there’s always new creatures to see and learn about.
Clacton Pavilion Fun Park
Get the adrenaline rushing with the array of exhilarating rides at Clacton Pavilion. Attractions like ‘The Terror Tower’ are unique in the UK, so this is a spot for exciting experiences that you won’t find anywhere else.
Clacton Pier Avenue amusements
There’s classic seaside fun in spade loads at Clacton’s amusements just off the promenade. Grab your coins and get ready to play some great arcade games.
Curve Water Sports
This St Osyth spot is a stone’s throw away from Orchards and hosts an outdoor inflatable assault course that’s incredible fun for all the family!
Walk from Point Clear to Clacton
This walk is a breath of fresh air every time. Stroll from Point Clear where we’re based along the uninterrupted Essex coastline to Clacton for the ultimate holiday vibe.
East Anglian Railway Museum
Learn about locomotives past and present at this fun and informative train museum near the village of Wakes Colne, which happens to be amongst beautiful, lush countryside.
Colchester Castle
A staple of what’s considered to be one of the oldest settlements in England, Colchester Castle sits in its centre and is a landmark that’s well worth checking out on a day out from the coast.
Special breaks
More places to explore in Essex
Clacton-on-Sea
Snuggled on the Essex Sunshine Coast, this traditional seaside town is bursting with charm. Explore its pleasure pier, arcades, water sports and seafront walks, with shops and cafes to enjoy too.
StOsyth
A lovely village that's tucked away from the hustle and bustle near Brightlingsea Creek, St Osyth boats a beautiful nature reserve, amusement park, adventure farm and even a golf course.
Walton-on-the-Naze
This family-friendly seaside resort has towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and a pier with amusements. A great spot for fossil hunting, it also has a lovely museum and tea room set inside the Naze Tower.
Colchester
Colchester is bursting with history, with several Roman sites and ruins to discover. It's also home to the brilliant Colchester Zoo: an attraction that's been entertaining families for over 60 years.
Southend-on-Sea
There's tonnes to do in this coastal city! Families will love the Sea-Life aquarium, and there are plenty of museums, galleries and shops to explore, as well as a traditional pier and amusements.
What our park team love about Essex
Curve Water Sports is full of action-packed adventures, close to the park.
Head to Colchester Zoo for a full day packed with some amazing experiences.
Frequently asked questions
What should I know about Essex?
Conveniently located close to London, Essex is home to around 1.5 million people and is one of England’s home counties. As close to the big city as it is, it also has vast rural areas and a long coastline.
Essex is home to the oldest recorded town in Britain. Colchester contains several remnants of the past including an enchanting 12th-century castle in its historic centre. The town also served as Britain’s capital from AD 43 to AD 61.
Essex hosts the longest pier in the world. The iconic structure in Southend-on-Sea extends for over a mile and can be navigated on its dedicated train. It’s been here since 1829!
Why is Essex a great holiday destination?
The Essex coastline is a whopping 350 miles long and forms the second longest stretch in England, behind Cornwall. This makes for a wealth of seaside experiences in famous towns with many hidden gems.
So well connected, it doesn’t take long to get to the tranquil areas of Essex from the busier parts of the country. A couple of hours is all it takes for the scenery to transform and forthe county to deliver an escape from the hustle and bustle.
Clacton-on-Sea is a big name in the world of holidays and is home to a huge number of family-friendly attractions and things to do. It’s brilliant that we’re just a short drive away from the heart of the action!
Why holiday with Haven in Essex?
Our Essex holiday park at Orchards sits in a prestigious position on the Point Clear Peninsula. Spectacular scenery, lush countryside and relaxing beach walks are the order of the day here. Stay at Orchards and you’ll be within convenient distance of Clacton-on-Sea, and the brilliant town of Brightlingsea is just across the bay it’s named after.
What are some exciting events happening in Essex?
Check out all of the exciting events happening in our roundup of What's on in Essex.
Is there a Haven holiday park in Essex?
Situated on the Point Clear Peninsula near Clacton-on-Sea and Brightlingsea, Haven's Orchards Holiday Village is a perfect getaway for those looking to enjoy Essex with its coastal views and indoor and outdoor pools on-park.
How far is Orchards from London?
One of the closest coastal destinations to London, Orchards is ideal for short breaks and last-minute getaways. Depending on the location, a drive from the capital would take less than two hours.
Can I bring my dog to Haven's Essex park?
Dog-friendly holidays are available at Orchards, while you can find more information on accommodation and on-site pet policies here.
What's included at Orchards Holiday Village?
With an indoor and outdoor pool, you'll be able to splash about whatever the weather. For the golf enthusiasts, the park features a nine-hole course with a beautiful backdrop. The kids also have their fair share to enjoy, with an entertainment venue, climbing wall and football dartboard just some of the fun activities on offer.
If you want to check out what accommodation is available, then be sure to head to our Orchards park page.
What are the best things to do near the Essex park?
Whether you're planning a family day out or looking to explore the coast, there's plenty to discover nearby. Meet thousands of animals at Colchester Zoo, enjoy classic seaside fun at Clacton Pier, try paddle boarding with Curve Water Sports, or simply soak up the scenery on one of Essex's beautiful coastal walks.
For a more comprehensive guide, check out our things to do in Essex page.
Are there cheap caravan breaks available in Essex?
Starting at just £49 for three nights, our holiday breaks in Essex are affordable for the whole family. If you're looking for even greater value, then booking it last-minute or during mid-week instead of the weekend, often offers the best deal.
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