19 ways to Explore Essex for 2023

Exploring the great county of Essex. Get some fresh air and get back to basics with beautiful woodland walks, giving yourself time to connect with family, friends and nature and reflect on the year gone by. We hope our 19 ideas will help you explore or try something new in 2023 and embrace Essex’s incredible parks, culture and heritage.

Be inspired to Explore Essex this New Year

1. Stroll through the Essex Country Parks, discover new beginnings, see the beauty of the native British Snowdrops, blooming through the months of February and March.

2. Take a walk on the wild side – use the Go Jauntly app or the Daily Mile to discover new routes in some of Essex Country Parks. Use the Go Jauntly app to plan a route and visit the coast out of season.

3. Delve into history and visit Colchester Castle, set in the beautiful gardens with Castle Park nearby. Enjoy the many fascinating exhibits and interactive displays.

4. Explore the stranger side of the county by listening to the Eerie Essex podcast, hear about historic folklore, urban legends and supernatural encounters. Drop in to one of the Eerie Essex 'on the road'recording sessions to share your own experiences.

5. Visit your local library where there is a warm welcome for you, every Essex Library has a story time for children and their families at least one weekend a month.

6. Enjoy a family activity with a difference by booking our Forest School Sessions at Danbury Country Park. Spend time together in the great outdoors, have fun and create some special memories.

7. Interact with nature and wildlife by heading to Hadleigh Country Park to see the grazing goats or visit the deer park at Weald Country Park.

8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – live more sustainably in 2023. ‘Love Essex’ has plenty of tips from cooking up a treat with leftover food to sustainable shopping and reducing waste.

9. Wander around the Tudor Walled Garden at Cressing Temple Barns and find out about its fascinating history. Enjoy some refreshments at the Tiptree Tea Room.

10. Research your family history at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford and online. Discover more about your heritage.

11. Sign-up to a parkrun, a great way to meet others or catch-up with friends whilst keeping fit at the same time.

12. Enjoy the play parksnestled within the beauty of Essex Country parks, Great Notley is home to Essex’s longest play trail while there is the Gruffalo Trail at Thorndon Country Park.

13. Delight in nature, discover the bird hideat Cudmore Grove Country Park. What can you spot?

14. Take to the skies– challenge yourself on the High Ropes Adventure at Essex Outdoors Harlow when it opens this Easter or enjoy Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park.

15. See the stunning migratory flocks of Brent Geese and other overwintering birds, that have arrived on our shores at Marsh Farmand Cudmore Grove Country Parks.

16. Explore the Essex coastline and go beach combing at Cudmore Grove Country Park, find shells, pebble, and sea glass. What seashore marvels will you find?

17. Visit Jaywick Martello Tower, find out about its interesting history through fascinating exhibits and delight in the many temporary art and cultural exhibitions.

18. For a healthy hobby, join the fishing community at Belhus Woods Country Park. There are two wonderful large fishing lakes in the park to enjoy all year round.

19. Check out volunteering opportunities in Essex. Becoming a volunteer can be very rewarding and a great way to learn new skills, meet others and help your community.

With evidence indicating that nature can make positive contributions to health and wellbeing, prescribe yourself a dose of idyllic countryside in 2023 by heading to Essex Country Parks, recognised for their excellence by being awarded Green Flag Status.