Holidays in Essex

Q: What are some exciting events happening in Essex?

8 July 2023: Tendring Hundred Show @ Lawford House Park, Manningtree 29 – 30 July 2023: The Nearly Festival @ Old Heath Recreation Ground, Colchester 24 – 25 August 2023: Clacton Airshow @ Clacton seafront

Start planning your Great British break

Essex caravan holiday parks

Essex has been welcoming city dwellers to its coastline for decades. Home to household names like Clacton-on-sea, the county is a relatively short drive from London, making an Essex holiday ideal for the quickest of breaks away. With over 350 miles of coastline, it’s easy to see why an Essex caravan holiday by the sea opens a world of opportunity. You won’t be stuck for things to do inland either, with historic towns like Colchester and southend on sea just a short drive away.

The Orchards is one of the best Essex holiday parks. A true hidden gem that sits neatly between Brightlingsea creek and the coastline, its surrounded by winding creeks, mud flats, beautiful rivers and lots of wildlife. Fancy bringing your dog? Check out our dog friendly holidays to Essex.

The Orchards, Clacton-on-Sea

Essex

Come to the ‘Essex Sunshine Coast’ and find a lovely location set in a selection of seawater creeks.

Pools
Entertainment
Golf course
Play areas

Things to do in Essex

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.

Brightlingsea

A delightful, small sailing town on the Essex sunshine coast

Colchester Zoo

Over 260 species to see set in 60 acres of lovely parkland and lakes

Walton Pier

Be thrilled on The Waltzer, ride on The Gallopers plus lots more

Clacton Beach

A traditional seaside town with long sandy beaches and fun fair

Beth Chatto Gardens

Beautiful gardens for you to explore created by Beth Chatto

Colchester

Britain's oldest recorded town full of history and heritage

on places to visit

Things to do in Walton-on-the-Naze

Wonderful Walton is home to a whole host of awesome attractions for all the family. See the must dos and hidden gems in this one stop shop of all things near the Naze.

Best & dog friendly pubs in Essex

Essex is one of the handiest places in the country to escape to for some time away, and this is in no small part down to the lovely pubs dotted across the county. Find out our favourites here.

Best walks in Essex

We think Essex is underrated as far as its coastline is concerned, so we’ve put together a list of Essex coastal walks that will bring many a holiday memory to every family.

Best places to eat in Southend

Southend-on-Sea is a staple of the seaside if ever we saw one, and this in no uncertain terms down to its incredible array of places to eat alongside the charming seafront. Find out our favourites.

Things to do in Colchester

Colchester lays claim to the title of Britain’s first ever city, and you can sample of the incredible history in this vibrant Essex town on a short ride from us at The Orchards.

Things to do in Frinton-on-Sea

Frinton-on-Sea is a brilliant day out along the exciting Essex coast, and we’ve rounded up everything that makes this town great into one article to help you plan your visit.

Things to do in Brightlingsea

Beautiful Brightlingsea is just across the bay from our base at The Orchards, so we’ve rounded up the best things to do in this coastal gem.

Things to do in Clacton-on-Sea

Clacton is a household name when it comes to a holiday by the sea, so we’ve put together our list of favourite things to do so you can make the most of your time in the town.

Top 10 Things To Do in St Osyth

Tucked away near Brightlingsea Creek, St Osyth is a village hidden from the hustle and bustle of bigger tourism towns like Clacton and Walton-on-the-Naze. Despite that though, you and your holiday troupe will have lots of things to do in St Osyth!

Best wildlife and nature reserves in Essex

Essex boasts some of the country's most diverse and beautiful wildlife, including ancient woodland, hard to find plants and rare bird species. Here are some of our favourite spots to visit.

Top 10 days out in Essex for all the family

The Orchards Holiday Park is the perfect location from which to explore some of the highlights of coastal Essex. In this article we’re highlighting ten family days out in Essex, including activities, beauty spots and a few surprises.

10 best restaurants in Clacton-on-Sea

Sea air, vibrant amusement lights, and fantastic food - Clacton-on-Sea has it all. Essex's largest seaside resort is home to some of the county's best eateries, with a variety of cuisines and atmospheres.

Dog friendly beaches in Essex

We all know that no beach holiday is complete without the family pup in tow and Essex offers a great selection of pooch-friendly shores. Our furry friends love to splash in the waves and bound across the sands, just like us!

Best beaches in Essex

Essex is a county that truly has it all, from the historic Roman centre in Colchester to the eerie wilds of the blackwater salt marches along the River Colne.

Places to visit in Essex

With fantastic transport links and a lovely coastline, Essex is one of the best places for a stress-free staycation with the loved ones. See the places to visit that make the county extra special here.

Our favourite things to do in Essex

Home to household names and hidden gems, Essex is a county that can be what you want it to be. Cosmopolitan towns and coastal favourites dot the largely rural landscape that’s waiting for you.

Things to do in Southend-on-Sea

Southend is a staple of the British seaside, so we’ve put together our team’s favourite things to do in the town that’s home to the longest pleasure pier in the world.

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 The 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 The 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 the accommodation options available at Haven's holiday park in Essex?

Discover the variety of our accommodation options at our Orchards holiday park below:

The Orchards

What are the top things to do in Essex?

See the best experiences on our round-up of things to do in Essex. Here are some of our other favourite ideas:

Places to visit in Essex

Best beaches in Essex

Things to do in Clacton-on-Sea

What are some exciting events happening in Essex?

8 July 2023: Tendring Hundred Show @ Lawford House Park, Manningtree

29 – 30 July 2023: The Nearly Festival @ Old Heath Recreation Ground, Colchester

24 – 25 August 2023: Clacton Airshow @ Clacton seafront