Energise Your Summer with an Action-Packed Day Out
Summer’s the perfect time to head outdoors, make the most of the sunshine, and get fit and healthy in the great outdoors. Visit Essex, the county’s tourism organisation, shares its top outside activities to get healthy this August.
Tee Off on a Summer’s Day
Summer’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a spot of golf at an Essex course. Immerse yourself at Golf World Stansted, set in the rolling countryside near Stansted Airport. With a three-hole beginner course, a picturesque nine-hole course, and a 1066-themed Adventure Golf course, the whole family can join in, no matter their ability.
For golf with a twist, head to Hatfield Broad Oak to try out Footgolf at Cammas Hall Farm, where you can combine the two beloved sports: football and golf! The six-acre, nine-hole Footgolf course is perfect fun to enjoy with family and friends. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you could even head to their farm shop or café to grab a bite to eat.
Indulge in Some R&R at a Local Spa
There’s nothing like a relaxing day at the spa on a summer’s day. Talbooth House and Spa is set in the stunning countryside of the Dedham Vale, boasting a spa that’s both indoors and outdoors. Soak up some sun on a lounger, take a dip in the pool, or head into one of their treatment rooms for some pampering.
Another spa on the Essex/Suffolk border is Stoke by Nayland Resort, where you can spend the day away at the Peake Spa. With a range of spa day packages and spa breaks, plus the option to pamper yourself with a selection of small treatments, you can’t go wrong. You can even make a weekend break from it and book yourself a round of golf, too.
Flex Your Swimming Muscles
The county has a 350-mile coastline, which is perfect for a summer’s day out for all the family. Paddle in the sea and relax on the spacious sand at Brightlingsea Beach, near Batemans Tower. Head to Southend where you can spend the day soaking up some sun at the golden Thorpe Bay Beach or enjoy the watersports available.
If you like to swim but prefer to be indoors, head to your local leisure centre. At Riverside Leisure Centre in Chelmsford, spend the day playing around in the indoor pool and going down the flume rides, which are perfect for kids (and adults) to have lots of fun. The Brentwood Centre has two swimming pools to choose from, with a larger pool for experienced swimmers and a smaller pool for introducing younger children to the water.
Make a Splash with Watersports
Learn how to stand up on a paddleboard with Frangipani SUP in Maldon. The school is based on the stunning Blackwater Estuary, and there’s a range of lessons for people of all abilities, from beginners to seasoned paddleboarders.
For more water sports activities, make your way to Bradwell to experience a wealth of activities at Essex Outdoors, one of the leading providers of sailing courses in the South East. Grab an oar and take to the waters in a canoe, or hop onto a dinghy and learn how to sail.
If the thrill of white-water rafting is more your thing, head to Lee Valley White Water Centre. With the support of experienced coaches, tackle the rapids in a kayak, try out hydrospeeding or brave the waters in a white-water raft with a bunch of friends or family.
A Real Rowing Machine Experience in Dedham
Take to calmer waters in beautiful Dedham and row your way along the tranquil waters of the River Stour. Hire a row boat and hop in with a loved one, friend, or family to cruise through stunning Constable Country. Take the oars and row along the Stour surrounded by the rolling Essex countryside. If you’re feeling brave, you can even take a cooling dip in the water on a hot day.
Climb to New Heights
If you’re looking for an adventure, pop on your climbing gear and head to Rock Up, Lakeside. With 8m climbing walls, a huge vertical dropslide, traverse wall, and treadmill climbing wall, you can find plenty to do to challenge yourself. Located inside Lakeside Shopping Centre, Rock Up is the perfect place for adventurers to reach new heights.
You could also try upscaling to Essex’s largest indoor climbing centre, The Lock Climbing Wall in Harlow. Experienced trainers at the centre can help new climbers get started on the walls or facilitate seasoned climbers who want to develop their skills further.
Swing Through Trees and See the World from Above
Set in the beautiful 574-acre Hylands Estate, Go Ape Chelmsford is the perfect climbing experience for all the family. With three high ropes courses that wind through the forest canopies plus speedy ziplines, you can take on obstacles, swing through the trees, and land with your feet firmly on the ground.
You can also take the little ones to experience life from the skies at Sky Ropes in Great Notley Park, with its range of high ropes courses, including ones for tiny tots to enjoy. There are also bridges and beams on their two-level family-friendly courses for bigger kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy.
Push Yourself to the Limit
If you’d like to see how far you can push yourself, head to Nuclear Wild Forest Outdoor Activity Centre in Brentwood. Set within 20 acres of mature woodland, there’s a range of thrilling activities for those of all ages. Get muddy with their obstacle courses, test your skills on the Ninja Rings or see if you can swing from one end to the other with the Hang Tough obstacle.
Alternatively, head over to Essex Outdoors on Mersea Island, for a range of fun activities. From archery and climbing to powerboating and an Adventure & Obstacle Course, there’s plenty of fitness fun to be had for the whole family.
Hop on Your Bike and Explore the County
For biking enthusiasts, Lee Valley boasts a range of cycling routes that start at Waltham Abbey and wind all the way to London. Take in the panoramic views as you bike through woodland and parklands or cycle along the riverside. Hadleigh Country Park also offers a range of cycling routes through its parkland. Home of mountain biking in the 2012 Olympics, the venue boasts a huge network of bike trails that are free to ride.
Experience the County’s Changing Landscapes
For a more leisurely look at the county this summer, there are plenty of walking trails for people of all abilities. If you prefer a leisurely stroll beside the sea, take a walk with the family to Walton-on-the-Naze, where you can see pretty beach huts plus you can even go fossil hunting for sharks’ teeth!
Or trek through Weald Country Park, with 500 acres of woodland, lakes, meadows, and open grassland to explore. Work up an appetite with an amble through the park and then settle down for a picnic on their open grassland.
For more outdoor activities to do this August, head to Visit Essex.
