Christmas Day out

[Emsie1987]

I seem to have forgotten to book a day out for the kids for Christmas - 6 and 2 year old boys. We are based in Essex, does anyone know of any good days out that may have availability on 14th December?

last couple of years we have done something quite nice polar express, fortnum and masons Santa, party kingdom in Essex and audley end. So the six year old is expecting something but literally cannot find anything which has tickets still, my fault I know.

I'm not in Essex so can't give any specific ideas but are there any national trust places near you? They usually have Christmas trails of varying quality.

Bressingham steam museum near diss, on Norfolk/Suffolk border. Train rides, gallopers, Santa, kids entertainment all included in price. Cost us £70 for family of 4.

How about the Epping Ongar railway Santa Express - vintage bus ride is included and kids get present, characters on the train etc.

I haven't been, but keep seeing the marsh farm one advertised looks good.

Drive to Southend and look at rhe lights

Hylands house trail or RHS Hyde Hall trail?

Colchester castle sometimes does something Christmasey. Marks Tey, Coggeshall or nearby villages may have good Christmas lights. Ask on local FB pages

Go for a Christmas lights walk around where you live?

Drive to Braintree - there is a street near there famous for lights (one of the surrounding villages)

Chelmsford Cathedral
Or anything around chelmsford.

One of the garden centres for a wander? Loads to choose from across the county and usually a good cafe in a garden centre for a sweet treat!

Maldon prom?

Mersea island maybe? The national trust place there. Any national trust or English heritage place?

Places that still had space last time I looked:

audley end house
marsh farm (they have a new gingerbread village this year)
4 kingdoms
Christmas fest essex
Fenwicks

Have a look at the counting to ten Facebook page too, there’s been quite a few shared on there recently.

Enlightened lights trail at hylands park?

These are all fab ideas, have found a few options for myself too in a similar position.

Also Colchester zoo is excellent OP and even if Santa is fully booked, the Xmas shows and activities are brilliant