The 10 best holiday parks in Essex for families

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I’ve been searching for the best holiday parks in Essex – it’s such a popular holiday spot and there are some fabulous places to stay. There are loads of things to do in Essex too – it’s home to some super family attractions and it’s perfect for budget-friendly fun at the seaside. So, if you’re looking for the best spots for your family holidays, here are my top picks for the 10 best holiday parks in Essex.

1. Park Holidays UK: Dovercourt Holiday Park

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to holiday parks in Essex – and Dovercourt Holiday Park has some of the best facilities for families. As well as a brilliant indoor swimming pool with waterslides, there are loads of activities on offer for the kids including: soft play, an arcade, a climbing wall, play areas, crazy golf, a multi-sports court, crafts and kids’ entertainment. The holiday park is near a blue flag beach, and there’s plenty of seaside fun to be had nearby at Clacton-on-Sea. If you fancy some days out – you’ll find Colchester Zoo, Jimmy’s Farm and Anglia Indoor Karting all just a short drive away. This holiday park offers loads of fun on and off site – you won’t have time to get bored! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Dovercourt Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

2. Parkdean Resorts: Highfield Grange Holiday Park

Recently refurbished, and one of the best holiday parks in Essex for kids’ activities, Highfield Grange is perfect for a lively getaway! Families can enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pools (with a waterslide), bounce park inflatables, escape rooms, high ropes, off-road rangers, laser tag, soft play, indoor mini golf, crafts, kids’ clubs and more! There’s something for kids of all ages at this one and the location serves as a great base to explore local beaches and attractions. It’s just a short drive to Clacton Beach and the whole family will enjoy The Pavilion Fun Park and Waterpark. There are plenty of great days out nearby – both Colchester Zoo and Jimmy’s Farm are around a half an hour drive from the resort. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Highfield Grange Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

3. Park Holidays UK: St Osyth Beach Holiday Park

Another fabulous holiday park in Essex, St Osyth Beach is located right on the beach, surrounded by countryside, with miles of seafront walking paths to explore. It boasts a brilliant indoor swimming pool with a splash play area and waterslides, as well as lots of activities to keep the whole family busy. The kids will love the arcade, climbing wall, play areas, sports, crafts and kids’ entertainment. Guests can also access the facilities at Seawick Holiday Park – which is located just next door – with extras like crazy golf. Clacton-on-Sea is nearby and you can enjoy some family days out at places like Colchester Zoo and Jimmy’s Farm which are both a short drive away. Plus, Curve Watersports – Aqua Park is less than 10 minutes from the park! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out St Osyth Beach Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

4. Parkdean Resorts: Coopers Beach Holiday Park

Located on the beach, Parkdean Resorts Coopers Beach offers a great base for family seaside holidays in Essex. Enjoy traditional coastal activities like crabbing, or take a walk to the Blackwater Estuary to unwind. This site has indoor and outdoor swimming pools and activities for the kids including: a multi-zone adventure playground, a multi-sports court and kids’ clubs. Book a hot tub lodge to add a little bit of luxury to your stay, and there’s plenty to do with the kids nearby as there are some fabulous days out a short drive from the holiday park. Colchester Zoo and Colchester Castle are both just 20 minutes away, Sky Ropes is 40 minutes from the site and the East Anglian Railway Museum is about half an hour away. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Coopers Bay Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

5. Haven: Orchards Holiday Village

With both an indoor and outdoor pool, a golf course, fishing lakes and the coast on your doorstep, Haven’s Orchards Holiday Village is best suited to summer holidays in Essex – this park’s perfect for fun in the sunshine. Little ones can get stuck into creative sessions, soft play, toddler sports and character meet-and-greets, while older kids will love the junior segways, climbing wall, ‘The Jump’ and NERF camp. If you fancy exploring the local area, the maritime town of Brightlingsea is nearby with daily boat trips and a sandy beach, plus it’s less than a 20 minute drive to Clacton-on-Sea. There are some fun days out nearby too – the park is just 5 minutes from Curve Watersports – Aqua Park and 40 minutes from Colchester Zoo. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Orchards Holiday Village on the Haven website.

6. Park Holidays UK: Seawick Holiday Park

If you love a Park Holidays UK break, Seawick Holiday Park is another site offering plenty of fun for the whole family and it’s in one of the best locations for a coastal getaway. With direct beach access you can walk for miles, and Clacton-on-Sea is nearby too. The park offers plenty to keep the kids busy – with both indoor and outdoor swimming pools (with a waterslide inside), crazy golf, play areas, crafts, a climbing wall and entertainment. Guests can also access the facilities at St Osyth Beach Holiday Park – which is located next door and boasts waterslides and a fabulous indoor splash zone. The local area is perfect for family-friendly days out – Colchester Zoo and Colchester Castle are just a short drive away. Plus, Curve Watersports – Aqua Park is just 5 minutes from the park! For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Seawick Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

7. Parkdean Resorts: Naze Marine Holiday Park

Best suited to families looking for an action-packed getaway, Naze Marine Holiday Park is a brilliant Parkdean Resorts site located right by the Essex coast. Another park with loads to offer – there’s an indoor pool (complete with inflatables, kayak rides and aqua‑jets), adventure golf, laser quest, archery, bungee trampolines and all sorts! Plus, you’re just a short walk from fossil‑rich sandy beaches, colourful beach huts and Walton Pier – perfect for a fish and chip supper! There are some great family days out nearby too – you’ll find Colchester Zoo, Curve Watersports – Aqua Park, Jimmy’s Farm and Anglia Indoor Karting all 45 minutes or less from the resort. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Naze Marine Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

8. Parkdean Resorts: Valley Farm Holiday Park

Just a 10 minute walk from the sandy shores of Clacton Beach, with its iconic pier, you’ll find Parkdean Resorts site Valley Farm. The park has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, perfect for fun whatever the weather, and it offers plenty of sports to keep the kids occupied. They can also enjoy crafts, an adventure playground, hoverboards, the arcade and lots of water activities like pool parties, aqua jets and inflatable jet skis. For days out, as well as the being perfectly located for budget-friendly beach days, the nearby Pavilion Fun Park and Waterpark offers loads of fun for the whole family. This one is around a 30 minute drive from Colchester Zoo and just 10 minutes from Curve Watersports – Aqua Park. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Valley Farm Holiday Park on the Parkdean Resorts website.

9. Away Resorts: Mersea Island Holiday Park

Best suited to families looking for a tranquil base, if you prefer quieter holiday parks, Mersea Island is a good option for a peaceful getaway in Essex. (Plus, there are hot tub accommodation options for an extra treat!) The resort is located directly on a sandy beach, it has an indoor swimming pool and there’s plenty of pet-friendly holiday homes if you’ve got a furry pal who’d love to come along. Look out for the outdoor cinema screenings and event weekends, and the kids will enjoy letting off steam in the playground. If you fancy some days out, it’s around a half an hour drive to both Colchester Zoo and Colchester Castle, and the nearby Blackwater Estuary Nature Reserve is perfect for a more nature-based adventure. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Mersea Island Holiday Park on the Away Resorts website.

10. Park Holidays UK: Steeple Bay Holiday Park

Located opposite Osea Island on the River Blackwater, you’ll find Steeple Bay Holiday Park. This one is best visited over the summer months to make the most of the beautiful location and the outdoor swimming pool. The kids can enjoy activities like crafts, sports, segways, the play park, pedal go karts, arcade games, entertainment and the fishing lakes. The site offers cool camping pods, as well as the usual caravan options, or you can bring your own tent. For family-friendly days out, it’s around a 45 minute drive to both Colchester Zoo and Chelmsford Go Ape (with high ropes and archery tag). Or, head to Southend-on-Sea (also around 45 minutes away) for seaside fun and a visit to the popular Adventure Island theme park. For more information, and prices for your dates, click here to check out Steeple Bay Holiday Park on the Park Holidays UK website.

What are the best things to do in Essex with kids?

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Essex with kids, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of fabulous days out to choose from. Places like Southend-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea are perfect for budget-friendly beach days with sandcastles, rides on the pier and fish and chip suppers. Animal lovers will adore Colchester Zoo, one of the best zoos in the country, while little adventurers can burn off steam at Adventure Island with rides for all ages. For something a bit different, head to Audley End Miniature Railway for a magical woodland train ride, or explore history hands on at Colchester Castle. Older kids will love Anglia Indoor Karting and Curve Watersports – Aqua Park, while Jimmy’s Farm offers a fun day out for little ones. Essex has plenty to keep everyone happy without travelling too far.

Is Essex worth a visit?

Yes, Essex is absolutely worth a visit, especially if you love a mix of coast, countryside and family friendly days out. You’ve got traditional seaside resorts, charming harbour towns like Brightlingsea, and beautiful countryside around Saffron Walden. As you can see above, there are plenty of fun things to do in Essex and it’s one of the best spots for holiday parks – with lots of sites offering fabulous kids’ activities and entertainment. It’s often overlooked in favour of other counties, but that just means fewer crowds, good value accommodation and lots of hidden gems to discover. Happy holidays! 😊