Essex


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-muddy-sponsor-logo"><a href="https://www.selinafinance.co.uk/use-cases/private-school-fees?utm_source=affiliates&amp;utm_medium=partnerdm&amp;utm_campaign=_consumer_prospecting_consideration_muddy_stilettos_main_schoolfees_ms_g1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1080" height="1080" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-logo-with-edits-v2.png" alt="Selina School Fee Finance logo" class="wp-image-27368" style="height:170px" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-logo-with-edits-v2.png 1080w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-logo-with-edits-v2-800x800.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-logo-with-edits-v2-1000x1000.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-logo-with-edits-v2-400x400.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-logo-with-edits-v2-768x768.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-logo-with-edits-v2-500x500.png 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre">THEATRE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1015" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Rude-Science-copy.jpg" alt="Rude Science show" class="wp-image-27315" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Rude-Science-copy.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Rude-Science-copy-800x541.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Rude-Science-copy-1000x677.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Rude-Science-copy-768x520.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rude Science</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s naughtiness at the <a href="https://trafalgartickets.com/cliffs-pavilion-southend/en-GB/event/family/rude-science-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cliffs Pavilion</a>, Southend, on <strong>Sat 21 Feb</strong>, with the arrival of <a href="https://gastronauttv.com/rude-science-live-tour-dates" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rude Science</a>. Look away now if you don&#8217;t want to see enormous bottoms and fart machines, plus more unmentionables!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.selinafinance.co.uk/use-cases/private-school-fees?utm_source=affiliates&amp;utm_medium=partnerdm&amp;utm_campaign=_consumer_prospecting_consideration_muddy_stilettos_main_schoolfees_ms_g1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="226" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-infeature-banner-G1-1.png" alt="Selina School Finance banner" class="wp-image-27371" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-infeature-banner-G1-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-infeature-banner-G1-1-800x181.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Selina-infeature-banner-G1-1-768x174.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoors-and-active">OUTDOORS AND ACTIVE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="687" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/sky-ropes-copy-1000x687.jpg" alt="Sky Ropes, Great Notley" class="wp-image-27316" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/sky-ropes-copy-1000x687.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/sky-ropes-copy-800x549.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/sky-ropes-copy-768x527.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/sky-ropes-copy.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Explore Essex: Sky Ropes, Great Notley Country Park</figcaption></figure>



<p>Introduce your kids to Mole, Ratty and Badger (maybe not the naughty Mr Toad) at the newly opened <a href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall/whats-on/february-half-term-at-hyde-hall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wind in the Willows: A Garden Adventure</a> at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. </p>



<p>There has been tonnes going on at Firstsite, Colchester, as part of the Holiday Fun February 2026 programme, and all completely FREE (booking is essential). There&#8217;s still a chance to join in and if your kids are sporty types they&#8217;ll enjoy <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/holiday-fun-february-2026-mini-athletics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mini Athletics</a> (<strong>Sat 21</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>) or <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/holiday-fun-february-2026-breakdance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Breakdance</a> (<strong>Sat 21 Feb</strong>).</p>



<p>Contenders are you ready? Kids can tackle the <a href="https://essexoutdoors.cinolla.com/danbury/course/sky-ropes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sky Ropes</a> at Great Notley Country Park, on <strong>Fri 20 &#8211; Sun 22 Feb</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worked-up-an-appetite">WORKED UP AN APPETITE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/image001.jpg" alt="Promotional info for Pizza Express Chessington competition" class="wp-image-27575" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/image001.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/image001-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/image001-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/image001-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/image001-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PizzaExpress’ Holiday Heroes</a> are back from <strong>16&nbsp;&#8211; 22 Feb</strong>. <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/terms-and-conditions/kids-eat-free" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SuperKids</a> under 12 eat free once again. The price of a Piccolo meal vanishes with a full-priced adult meal. Plus, customers can <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/terms-and-conditions/holiday-heroes-gruffalo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">win a night in The Gruffalo Room at Chessington</a>. They will be automatically entered into a prize draw when they redeem the offer via the app. For bigger appetites, <a href="https://www.pizzaexpress.com/terms-and-conditions/teen-pizza-and-drink" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MegaTeen Saver</a> is back too, shrinking the price of a Classic Pizza and drink to just £12. &nbsp;Offer closes <strong>22&nbsp;Feb</strong>. T&amp;Cs apply.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museums-and-discovery">MUSEUMS AND DISCOVERY</h2>



<p>The hugely popular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/essex-fire-museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Fire Museum Family Fun Open Days</a>&nbsp;in Grays, will be running this month on&nbsp;<strong>Sun 22 Feb</strong>. As well as getting to explore the engines kids can take part in arts and crafts and other exciting activities.</p>



<p>At the Museum of Chelmsford kids can be inspired by the Oi books, written by local author Kes Gray, by visiting the exhibition <a href="https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/oi-chelmsford-kes-gray-chelmsford-born-and-read/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oi Chelmsford! Kes Gray: Chelmsford Born and Read</a>.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://campioni.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="226" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/V2-Campioni-NL-banner.gif" alt="Campioni advert" class="wp-image-27372" /></a></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-amp-animals">NATURE &amp; ANIMALS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/tim-marshall-vkX3X_xNwjQ-unsplash.jpg" alt="Lambs in a field" class="wp-image-27317" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/tim-marshall-vkX3X_xNwjQ-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/tim-marshall-vkX3X_xNwjQ-unsplash-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/tim-marshall-vkX3X_xNwjQ-unsplash-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/tim-marshall-vkX3X_xNwjQ-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s <a href="https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/145153" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buzzing Bees</a> drop-in activities at RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden from <strong>Sat 14 &#8211; Sun 22 Feb</strong>, including planting bee-friendly seeds, perfect for little ones. </p>



<p>You can <a href="https://scottsofsouthend.co.uk/pages/february-half-term-at-scotts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meet the Farm Animals</a> at Scott&#8217;s of Southend from <strong>Thu 19 &#8211; Sat 21 Feb</strong>, when Gemma&#8217;s Farm will bring their adorable friends for a hands-on experience. And it&#8217;s of course <a href="https://www.barleylands.co.uk/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lambing Week</a> at Barleylands, Billericay, from <strong>Sat 14 &#8211; Sun 22 Feb</strong>. You might even be lucky enough to see some newborns!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magical-experiences">MAGICAL EXPERIENCES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Brightsworth-3.jpg" alt="Witch at Brightworth's school of magic" class="wp-image-27686" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Brightsworth-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Brightsworth-3-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Brightsworth-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2026/02/Brightsworth-3-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Kids will be spellbound by the <a href="https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/events/brightworths-school-of-magic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brightworth&#8217;s School of Magic</a>, Hedingham Castle, Halstead, on <strong>Mon 16 &#8211; Sun 22 Feb</strong>. Take part in specialist subjects, from Magic Wands and Potions to Enchanted Animals and Mystical Spells, while pop-princesses will love the <a href="https://www.marshfarm.co.uk/events/k-pop-half-term-takeover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">K-Pop Takeover</a> at Marsh Farm, South Woodham Ferrers, from <strong>Sat 14 &#8211; Sun 22 Feb</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">In the mood for more?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/snowdrop-walks-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The best walks for spotting snowdrops in Essex in 2026</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/whats-on-near-you-heres-everything-you-need-for-a-fabulous-feb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What’s on near you? Here’s everything you need for a fabulous Feb</a></li>



<li><a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/6-fun-things-to-do-in-essex-to-get-your-dopamine-fix/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">6 fun things to do in Essex to get your dopamine fix</a></li>
</ul>


Last push: there’s more fun to be had in Essex before back to school

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