Top 10 days out in Essex for all the family
Orchards Holiday Village 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.
- 1. Clacton Pier, Clacton-on-Sea
- 2. PUSH Kiting, Clacton-on-Sea
- 3. Frinton Beach, Frinton-on-Sea
- 4. Curve Water Sports Aqua Park, St Osyth
- 5. Brightlingsea Lido, Brightlingsea
- 6. Cudmore Grove Country Park, East Mersea
- 7. Wildlife Boat Trips, Walton-on-the-Naze
- 8. Temple of Claudius / Colchester Castle, Colchester
- 9. Naze Nature Discovery Centre and Naze Tower, Walton-on-the-Naze
- 10. Monty’s Equestrian Centre, Holland-on-Sea
1. Clacton Pier, Clacton-on-Sea
7 miles from Orchards
Clacton-on-Sea is the nearest coastal town to Orchards, and it’s one of England’s most iconic, with a Victorian pier dating back to 1871. While strolling along the 150m long boardwalk there’s no need to worry about the kids becoming bored. With ten pin bowling, rides, crazy golf and a big wheel, there’s plenty to do. The Clacton Seaquarium is located here too, featuring marine life in all its weird and wonderful glory.
No seaside day out would be complete without locally caught fish and chips and a wander along the adjacent beach. After dark, from spring through summer, there are weekly free firework displays.
2. PUSH Kiting, Clacton-on-Sea
13 miles from Orchards
If you fancy something a bit more active, you can try out kitesurfing at the PUSH Kiting School, which is open all year round and has been in business for over twenty-five years. In 2012, Sir Richard Branson became the oldest person to kite surf from England to France courtesy of PUSH. His Son Sam had made the crossing in a record 2 hours and 18 minutes the day before.
Don’t expect to try anything that crazy on your first attempt. However, if you have a decent sense of balance and follow instructions, there’s no reason why this high-octane sport can’t be within anyone’s reach. Expect to emerge from the water exhausted but with a big grin on your face.
3. Frinton Beach, Frinton-on-Sea
13 miles from Orchards
If you’re looking for a golden sandy beach which is a little more genteel than the bustling Clacton, nearby Frinton-on-Sea might be worth a visit. Just thirty-five minutes away by train, Frinton is relatively unspoilt, and has won a coveted Blue Flag award for its cleanliness.
There’s a promenade with colourful beach huts, and the sand is perfect for sandcastle-making. The water quality is excellent and there are toilets, free parking, and dog-friendly facilities. Don’t expect a lot of other amenities but for a day on the sands, it’s often regarded as the best beach in Essex.
4. Curve Water Sports Aqua Park, St Osyth
2 miles from Orchards
Curve is a great place to attempt those water-based activities you’ve always yearned to try but never dared! Situated just east of Orchard at St Osyth, Curve is based on the kilometre-long Mill Dam Lake. Its peaceful waters become a lot livelier with kayakers, wakeboarders, tubers and other daredevils tearing across it.
You’ll want to try the inflatable obstacle course, which means you’ll inevitably end up in the lake – but that’s just part of the fun! There are cable-propelled wakeboarding lessons with multiple ramps and obstacles for more advanced boarders.
5. Brightlingsea Lido, Brightlingsea
10 miles from Orchards by road (or just across the bay via the Point Clear Ferry)
For those who enjoy their swimming with fewer waves and less saltwater, there’s Brightlingsea Lido. This is a classic 1930s facility with a massive 50 metre pool (and a smaller one for toddlers). Open spring to autumn, it’s a stone’s throw from the coast and there are sunbeds and inflatables to hire.
There’s also a café – with indoor seating for non-swimmers and takeaways for those who’ve taken a dip. The community-run Lido was a finalist for Experience of the Year in the 2020-21 East of England Tourism Awards.
6. Cudmore Grove Country Park, East Mersea
23 miles from Orchards
On the eastern edge of Mersea Island, across the Estuary from Orchards, you’ll find Cudmore Grove Country Park. A beautiful picnic spot with a remote and quiet beach, the park covers 102 acres of quiet walking and cycling trails, with an adventure playground where the kids can run wild. There is paid parking, a refreshment kiosk and bird hides for those keen to photograph the rare species that visit this nature reserve, including great crested grebes, egrets, and peregrine falcons.
For history enthusiasts, there’s much to see here including a 17th-century blockhouse built to blockade the River Colne during the English Civil War. There are also Second World War pillboxes and gun emplacements, with a dedicated World War Two heritage trail for visitors to follow.
7. Wildlife Boat Trips, Walton-on-the-Naze
13 miles from Orchards
Essex has almost fifty nature reserves, including some sizable estuary wetlands. One of the largest is situated at Hamford, just north of Walton-on-the-Naze. Before you check out the plentiful wildlife trails, however, why not hop into a boat and go seal-spotting with a local naturalist.
Two-hour trips begin at Walton and explore the backwaters of the Hamford Water Nature Reserve in search of marine mammals and rare birds. Tony Haggis will be your boatman and knowledgeable guide to the common and grey seals and waterfowl which are plentiful here. Visit their website for more details.
8. Temple of Claudius / Colchester Castle, Colchester
13 miles from Orchards
While you’re in Colchester, you can visit a Norman castle and Roman temple at the same time since the Temple of Claudius (AD49) was later incorporated as part of the base of Colchester Castle (11th-century). The Castle boasts the largest Norman keep in Europe.
Guides will take you down into the Roman vaults or up onto the castle walls and there’s a fantastic museum including a mosaic floor and hordes of Roman treasure. There’s even an evening escape experience called The Serpent’s Curse if you really want to awaken your imagination.
9. Naze Nature Discovery Centre and Naze Tower, Walton-on-the-Naze
15 miles from Orchards
Once you’re toured the area by sea, you might visit the Naze Nature Discovery Centre. Combine birdwatching for rare species including dark bellied brent geese and sedge warblers with a wildlife walk on one of the many signposted trails.
Nearby you can visit Naze Tower, an 86ft high grade II listed structure built in the 18th century. Within its eight storeys you’ll find exhibitions, a café, art gallery and of course, spectacular coastal views. Learn about how the Tower was an important radar facility during WWII and look out for pillbox fortifications dotted around the coast.
10. Monty’s Equestrian Centre, Holland-on-Sea
7 miles from Orchards
If you’ve ever wanted to try horse or pony riding, pop along the coast from Clacton to nearby Holland-on-Sea and you’ll find Monty’s Equestrian Centre. This licensed riding school and stud yard holds children’s and adults’ lessons. These range from beginners’ lessons to specialist classes in dressage, bareback and stunt riding.
As well as onsite classes there are beach and country park hacks. Monty’s even host birthday parties including lessons in grooming, riding and a chance to get close to the farm’s other animals including miniature ponies and a pair of rare pigs called Pearl and Pig Floyd.
Start planning your Great British break
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Important information
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2032 Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments until 2032 when using Let2offset’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments for until 2032 when using Let2offset” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. An example of how “Make no site fee payments until 2032 when using Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of a Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Seton Sands with a monthly site fee of £667.08 (includes purchasing discount of £17.08) and monthly letting income of £673.17. The monthly difference equates to £23.17, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures. Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them. Site fees from as little as £130 a month with Let2offset at Burnham-on-Sea Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income. ‘Site fees from as little as £130 a month with Let2offset’ is available at Burnham-on-Sea. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability. “Site fees from as little as £130 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent or superior gradeholiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. An example of how “Site fees from as little as £130 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of a Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Burnham-on-Sea with a monthly site fee of £783.75 (includes purchasing discount of £19.58) and monthly letting income of £634.00. The monthly difference equates to £130.17 which will be billed to the owner's account monthly; to meet the site fee payment of £130 per month, an additional credit of £0.17 per month will be applied to the owner’s account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures. Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them. Site fees from as little as £160 a month with Let2offset at Lydstep Beach Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income. “Site fees from as little as £160 a month with Let2offset” is available at Lydstep Beach. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance. Offer is subject to availability. "Site fees from as little as £160 a month with Let2offset” is applicable to new customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. An example of how “Site fees from as little as £160 a month with Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of a Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Lydstep Beach with a monthly site fee of £939.58 (includes purchasing discount of £28.83) and monthly letting income of £751.17. The monthly difference equates to £159.58 which will be billed to the owner's account monthly. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and the monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures. Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
Move your caravan to a Haven park
*This offer is available for holiday homeowners not located at a Haven park and that want to relocate their holiday home from their current holiday park to the following Haven parks: Church Farm, Craig Tara, Far Grange, Haggerston Castle, Orchards, Cleethorpes Beach, Golden Sands, Rockley Park or Skegness. Offer is subject to availability of pitches and the satisfactory completion of our standard onboarding checks. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion.
**Free 2025 site fees are available at selected parks. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice. Full Ts & Cs can be found at: www.haven.com/caravans-for-sale/move-your-caravan
Images are shown for representational purposes. Parks cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd (t/a Haven) is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited. Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.
Pre-loved holiday homes from £14,995 with free 2025 site fees - UPDATED 6 February 2025
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 1 January 2025, completing by 31 December 2025.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales. Available on pre-owned holiday homes at the following selected parks only: Craig Tara, Far Grange, Haggerston Castle, Orchards, Cleethorpes Beach and Wild Duck
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2025 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Full site fees will be payable for subsequent years.
Images are shown for representational purposes.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
*New holiday homes from £29,995 with free 2025 site fees – UPDATED 17 January 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a new 2-bedroom Willerby Ellerton holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories. Free Site Fees 2025 offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven from 1 January 2025, completing by 31 December 2025.
A credit equivalent to the value of your site fees due during the 2025 season will be applied to your account balance on completion of your purchase for use against your running costs e.g. utilities, after-sale add-ons e.g storage boxes or site fees. It cannot be applied to your purchase or refunded in cash.
Offer excludes part-exchanges or private sales.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 17 January 2025, price and free site fees 2025 offer is available at Craig Tara, Far Grange, Haggerston Castle, Orchards, Cleethorpes Beach and Wild Duck.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.