What’s on in Essex 2026
If you’re heading to Haven's Orchards Holiday Village in 2026, you’re in for more than just beautiful beaches, fresh sea air, and cosy caravan nights. Essex is bursting with exciting things to do, especially from spring through autumn.
Here’s your month-by-month guide to family-friendly events happening within about an hour’s drive from the park — plus a couple of year-round attractions you can enjoy whatever the weather. Whether you’re after music, food, fairgrounds, or just good old-fashioned seaside fun, you’ll find it here.
March
Essex Book Festival
When: March 2026 (dates TBC)
Where: County-wide; popular hub at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester CO1 1JH
Nearest park: Orchards (13 miles from park, 30-minute drive)
A month of stories, workshops, and author events spread across Essex. Families can dip into daytime talks, craft sessions, and children’s theatre, then wander for ice cream or a swim afterwards. Keep an eye on the programme for family-friendly listings near the park.
April
Beth Chatto’s Gardens — Spring Plant Fair (TBC)
When: Late April 2026 (date TBC)
Where: The Beth Chatto Gardens, Clacton Road, Elmstead Market, Colchester CO7 7DB
Nearest park: Orchards (10 miles from park, 20-minute drive)
Spring explodes here: blossom tunnels, wildlife ponds, and gorgeous borders, plus specialist nurseries at the plant fair. Paths are mostly level and stroller-friendly, the cafe does a good cake, and little ones love pond-spotting.
May
National Flower Show, Hylands House
When: Fri 15 – Sun 17 May 2026
Where: Hylands House & Estate, London Road, Chelmsford CM2 8WQ
Nearest park: Orchards (43 miles from park, one-hour drive)
Three colourful days of show gardens, indoor displays inside the mansion, home and garden shopping, and street food. It’s one of those gentle wanders where you browse, snack, sit on the lawns, and come away with a few ideas (and probably a plant or two).
June
Leigh Folk Festival
When: Late June 2026 (dates TBC; typically four days, Thu–Sun)
Where: Leigh Library Gardens & Old Town venues, Broadway West, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2DA
Nearest park: Orchards (56 miles from park, one hour 20-minute drive)
The UK’s largest free folk festival fills Leigh with music, dance sides, storytelling, craft stalls, and workshops. Grab fish ’n’ chips, take in a harbourside set, and let the kids try a percussion session before a slow stroll along the front.
July
Tendring Hundred Show (Lawford)
When: Saturday 11 July 2026
Where: Lawford House Park, Bromley Road, Lawford, near Manningtree CO11 2nd
Nearest park: Orchards (13 miles from park, 30-minute drive)
A proper country show: animals, equestrian displays, arena acts, vintage tractors, falconry, food courts, crafts, and a buzzing kids’ zone. It’s easy to spend the day wandering rings and marquees; bring hats, refillable bottles, and a blanket for the main ring.
August
Clacton Airshow
When: Thursday 27 - Friday 28 Aug 2026
Where: Clacton Seafront, Marine Parade East & West, Clacton-on-Sea CO15
Nearest park: Orchards (7 miles from park, 20-minute drive)
A huge, free seafront airshow right on your doorstep: ideal if you’re staying at Haven. Expect classic aircraft, big display teams (line-ups vary yearly), ground exhibitions, and a brilliant beach atmosphere. One evening usually features “twilight” flying with lights and pyros over the pier.
Clacton Half Marathon & 10K
When: Sunday 16 Aug 2026
Where: Fourth Avenue, Eastcliff Greensward, Clacton-on-Sea CO15
Nearest park: Orchards (7 miles from park, 20-minute drive)
A sunlit seaside run that’s all about wide promenades, carnival cheers, and finishing with an ice cream. Choose the 10K or the Half Marathon; both are largely flat with just one gentle climb per lap, making them friendly for first-timers and seasoned runners alike. Expect a lively event village, a Fun Run for families, easy parking, and plenty of holidaymakers lining the route—run your best, then reward yourself with a pier stroll and fish ’n’ chips.
Clacton Real Ale & Cider Festival
When: Wednesday 26 – Saturday 29 August 2026
Where: St. James' Hall, Tower Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15
Nearest park: Orchards (7 miles from park, 15-minute drive)
A proper four-day ale fest packed with 100+ real ales, ciders, and perries from local and national brewers, plus live music, food stalls, and games in a buzzing community hall. Grab a souvenir glass, try out all the drinks while the kids enjoy soft drinks and face painting. It’s easygoing family fun to occupy the day near park, and then you can head beachward for fish ’n’ chips as the sun dips.
September
National Country Show Live, Hylands Park
When: September 2026 (dates TBC; typically a weekend in late September)
Where: Hylands Park, Chelmsford CM2 8WQ (event signage on approach)
Nearest park: Orchards (44 miles from park, one hour five-minute drive)
Country life in the city: main-ring displays, gundog and horse demos, have-a-go activities, dog shows, home and country shopping, and local food. It’s well laid-out, easy to navigate with buggies, and has plenty of loos, benches, and shade.
October
Trail of Terror, Colchester Zoo
When: Selected evenings in late October 2026 (dates TBC)
Where: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester CO3 0SL
Nearest park: Orchards (18.5 miles from park, 40-minute drive)
After dark, the zoo transforms into a scary experience with detailed sets, actors, sound, and lighting. It’s brilliant for teens and adults who like a fright; younger children are better with the zoo’s daytime half-term programme. Pre-book your slot: popular times go fast.
With beaches, countryside, and bustling towns all close by, Essex in 2026 promises a mix of high-energy days and chilled seaside evenings. Whether you’re into live music, quirky traditions, nature encounters, or simply want to make lasting family memories, there’s something here for you. So book your stay, mark your calendars, and get ready to make 2026 your most event-filled holiday yet!
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Important information
Terms and conditions
Terms and conditions
Brand new holiday homes from £268 per month - UPDATED 2 December 2025
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven.
Representative finance example. Holiday home cash price £29,995, less deposit of £8,998.50, gives a loan amount of £20,996.50. 120 monthly payments of £268.34. Total charge for credit £11,191.13. Total amount payable £41,186.13 which includes the deposit amount. The interest rate is 5.33% fixed / 9.6% APR (representative).
Offer available at the following parks: Blue Dolphin, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Littlesea, Marton Mere, Quay West, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Skegness, The Orchards, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Price excludes 2025 site fee, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status & availability. Bourne Leisure Limited, Company registration no 040 660, whose registered office address is 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4YL. Bourne Leisure is a credit broker and not a lender.
New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 2 December 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a new 2 or 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 2 December 2025, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Littlesea, Quay West, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Skegness, The Orchards, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 29 September 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting,connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 September 2025, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Littlesea, Marton Mere, Quay West, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Skegness, The Orchards, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
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.
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 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 inflation. 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.
Move your caravan to Haven for free - full terms and conditions
This offer is available for holiday home owners not located at a Haven park and that want to relocate their holiday home from their current holiday park a Haven holiday park, subject to pitch availability and the satisfactory completion of our standard onboarding checks. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion, apart from the free 2026 site fee promotion if applicable to the Haven park. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice.
In order to be eligible to participate in the offer, your holiday home must be situated within a 50-mile radius of the Haven park that you wish to relocate to. The holiday home must be no more than 15 years old from the date of manufacture and if it has been purchased under a finance agreement, the holiday homeowner must provide confirmation from their lender that the holiday home can be moved to the Haven park.
Haven will transport your holiday home from the entrance of its current holiday park location to the required Haven park and will reimburse your transportation costs up-to a maximum value of £750; any excess must be paid by the holiday homeowner. Haven does not accept any responsibility for any damage that happens to the interior of your holiday home whilst it is being transported to one of our holiday parks. We recommend your holiday home is fully packed down and ready for transportation. Transportation does not include decking. Any decking bought onto a Haven park must be approved by the General Manager of that park to ensure it meets Haven standards. Siting and connection costs for your holiday home on a Haven park will be paid for by Haven. Offer excludes payment of holiday home disconnection at your current park and transportation costs from its current pitch to the entrance of its current park.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times. 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.