Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-hang-out-at-the-beach">1 HANG OUT AT THE BEACH</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-6.jpeg" alt="Essex beach free things to do in Essex" class="wp-image-10667" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-6.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-6-800x469.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-6-768x450.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-6-896x525.jpeg 896w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @VisitEssex</figcaption></figure>



<p>Our free things to do in Essex round-up starts where fun can be had year-round – the beach! Our coastline is blessed with some great stretches of sand which can be just as beautiful in winter as they are in summer. OK, it might be too chilly for a picnic and paddle (unless you&#8217;re bonkers), but blowing away the cobwebs and breathing in the salty air instantly makes life feel better. Check out our <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/eight-amazing-coastal-walks-to-hit-across-the-county/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guide to the best coastal Essex walks</a>, from Frinton to Shoeburyness. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-be-a-maze-d-in-saffron-walden">2 BE A-MAZE-D IN SAFFRON WALDEN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Turf-Maze-on-Saffron-Walden-Common-scaled-1500x1125-1.jpg" alt="Saffron Walden Maze " class="wp-image-10656" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Turf-Maze-on-Saffron-Walden-Common-scaled-1500x1125-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Turf-Maze-on-Saffron-Walden-Common-scaled-1500x1125-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Turf-Maze-on-Saffron-Walden-Common-scaled-1500x1125-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Turf-Maze-on-Saffron-Walden-Common-scaled-1500x1125-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Did you know this ancient town has its very own <a href="https://www.visitsaffronwalden.gov.uk/2020/02/turf-maze-labyrinth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Turf Maze</a>? You do now – and it&#8217;s the largest of its kind in the world, according to the Town Council! Situated on Saffy Wald&#8217;s common, follow the circular path to the centre of the labyrinth and, if you complete it mega-fast, move onto the next maze in Jubilee Garden. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-get-arty-at-firstsite-in-colchester">3 GET ARTY AT FIRSTSITE IN COLCHESTER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.28.43.png" alt="Firstsite Museum colchester" class="wp-image-10658" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.28.43.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.28.43-800x469.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.28.43-768x450.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.28.43-896x525.png 896w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There’s aways lots of free stuff going on at this<a href="https://firstsite.uk/whats-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> award-winning gallery</a>, from current exhibitions such as <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/claire-cansick-you-and-i-are-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Claire Cansick: You and I Are Earth</a> to free clubs like <a href="https://firstsite.uk/event/yak-young-art-kommunity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YAK | Young Art Kommunity</a>, a peer-led group that develops an approach to and understanding of art with other young people. Find out more about what the gallery <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/firstsite-colchester/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">does here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-discover-jam-in-tiptree">4 DISCOVER JAM IN TIPTREE </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="595" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.31.41.png" alt="Tiptree Jam Factory free things to do in Essex" class="wp-image-10659" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.31.41.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.31.41-800x476.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.31.41-768x457.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Screenshot-2023-01-12-at-13.31.41-882x525.png 882w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>What could be sweeter than a morning learning how Mr Wilkin began making Essex’s legendary preserves at <a href="https://www.tiptree.com/blogs/news/tiptree-jam-museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiptree Jam Museum</a>? Tours of the renovated farm building are completely free, though afternoon cream and scones at the <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/tiptree-tea-rooms-across-essex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lovely Tea Rooms</a> sadly aren&#8217;t. Don&#8217;t miss the chance to tell our favourite jam joke while you&#8217;re there: &#8220;How does Bob Marley like his doughnuts? Wi&#8217; jam in.&#8221; </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-head-to-our-nature-wildlife-reserves">5 HEAD TO OUR NATURE WILDLIFE RESERVES</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown.jpeg" alt="Essex wildlife Trust free things to do in Essex" class="wp-image-10660" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-800x469.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-768x450.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-896x525.jpeg 896w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Abberton, image @VisitEssex </figcaption></figure>



<p>Next on our free things to do in Essex line-up is to check out the <a href="https://www.essexwt.org.uk/nature-reserves" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Wildlife Trust</a>, which manages more than 100 nature reserves and parks. And did we mention many are completely free to enter? That means it&#8217;s time to visit a few  for some wonderful walks, including Abberton, Belfairs and Chigborough Lakes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-see-ancient-monuments-in-colchester">6 SEE ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN COLCHESTER</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="584" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-1.jpeg" alt="St Botolph's Priory Colchester Essex" class="wp-image-10662" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-1-800x467.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-1-768x449.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-1-900x525.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @VisitColchester </figcaption></figure>



<p>Colchester Castle is a major tourist magnet but is quite pricey, so head instead to <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/colchester-st-botolphs-priory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Botolph’s Priory</a> in the city, where it’s free to wander among the archways and giant pillars. It&#8217;s a site sure to satisfy everyone from history buffs to kids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-take-in-history-in-chelmsford">7 TAKE IN HISTORY IN CHELMSFORD</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-3.jpeg" alt="Chelmsford Cathedral and Museum free things to do in Essex" class="wp-image-10663" style="aspect-ratio:1.7064846416382253;width:640px;height:auto" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-3-800x469.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-3-768x450.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-3-896x525.jpeg 896w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @VisitEssex </figcaption></figure>



<p>The city’s <a href="https://www.chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cathedral</a> and <a href="https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/visit/">museum</a> are both free to see, so there&#8217;s no excuse not to soak up a bit of local history this month. There&#8217;s also plenty of events on too. Chelmsford City Museum has this super-cool <a href="https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/museums/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/restless-brilliance-the-story-of-ja-baker-and-the-peregrine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Restless Brilliance: The Story of J.A. Baker and The Peregrin</a>e exhibition on now until <strong>23 Feb</strong>, where you get to explore Baker’s life, his love of nature and writing through the archive of his work held by the Albert Sloman Library, University of Essex.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-play-around-on-mersea-island">8 PLAY AROUND ON MERSEA ISLAND</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-4.jpeg" alt="Mersea Island" class="wp-image-10664" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-4.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-4-800x469.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-4-768x450.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-4-896x525.jpeg 896w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @VisitEssex</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of the best playgrounds for kids in Essex is <a href="https://www.visitessex.com/things-to-do/cudmore-grove-country-park-p1269821" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cudmore Grove Country Park</a> on Mersea Island, boasting three separate areas with huge wooden structures to climb. Best of all, when the kids get bored there’s the rest of the nature reserve and beach to explore. Colchester’s Castle Park is another great place to play. Also on our radar is Great Notley Country Park and Maldon’s Promenade Park.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-see-fire-engines-in-grays">9 SEE FIRE ENGINES IN GRAYS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="586" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-5-1000x586.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-10665" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-5-1000x586.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-5-800x469.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-5-768x450.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-5-896x525.jpeg 896w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/Unknown-5.jpeg 1220w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image @VisitEssex</figcaption></figure>



<p>Free things to do in Essex complete with men in uniform? Stop those thoughts, now. In fact it&#8217;s <a href="https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/essex-fire-museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Essex Fire Museum</a> we&#8217;re talking about; a great day out for any aspiring Fireman Sams in the family. There&#8217;s all sorts of fire-fighting memorabilia to see, from equipment to uniforms and photos. You can even try on a fireman’s hat and chat to a real fireman (for the kids, ladies, calm yourselves). It’s on the same site as the current fire station, so there’s always the chance to see a full-on sirens blaring, lights flashing display.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-10-run-jog-or-walk-a-5k">10 RUN (JOG OR WALK!) A 5K</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/runner.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-10666" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/runner.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/runner-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/runner-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/runner-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Want to keep fit or get fit without having to fork out for the gym? Parkrun has weekly 5K community events throughout Essex which you can join, such as <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/markshallestate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Markshall Estate’s</a> 9am meet up. It’s free to enter (though you do need to register) and you don&#8217;t even need to be fast. It&#8217;s more about just willing to have a go and meet lots of friendly people along the way.</p>


No cash to splash? 10 FREE things to do in Essex

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