Visit Essex Outdoors
Close enough to arrive fresh and wild enough to feel worlds away – no long journeys, just fresh air and adventure from the moment the coach door opens.
ESSEX OUTDOORS CENTRES
Mersea
Explore over 20 incredible activities with estuary views.
Harlow
Discover our specialist paddlesports and climbing day centre.
Bradwell-on-Sea
Enjoy unrivalled sailing at Bradwell – our Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre
Bradwell-on-Sea
Danbur y Enjoy 70 acres and over 15 amazing activities
Essex Outdoors Bradwell, Southminster CM0 7QY
Take junction 18 from A12
Essex Outdoors Danbury, Well Lane, Danbury CM3 4AB
Take junction 18 from A12
Essex Outdoors Mersea, Rewsalls Lane, Colchester CO5 8SX
Take junction 26 from A12
Essex Outdoors Harlow, Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS
Take junction 7a from M11
Basildon
Southend
Saffron
WELCOME TO ESSEX OUTDOORS: NATURAL ADVENTURES ALL YEAR ROUND
Choose spring or autumn for an enriching experience
· Rich seasonal learning: spring wildlife and autumn colours
· Quieter centres
· Ideal for new cohort team building and pastoral development
· Complimentary programme consultation and free pre‑visit
Why us?
With over fifty years’ experience as a local authority outdoor education provider, Essex Outdoors delivers high‑quality programmes that strengthen pupils’ personal development, resilience and teamwork.
Four purpose-built outdoor activity centres close to home.
Choose from:
1. Unrivalled sailing and views at Bradwell-on-Sea (RYA Training Centre)
2. 70 acres of nature rich woodland at Danbury
3. 20+ activities and a magical island setting at Mersea – our largest residential centre
4. Exhilarating day adventures at our paddlesports and climbing specialist centre in Harlow
Our expert customer service team will help plan your stay whether it’s an action‑packed day or a longer residential, producing a unique programme to suit your requirements.
For a perfectly tailored quote fill in our form
Let’s build something that works for you and your pupils.
SET SAIL AT BRADWELL-ON-SEA
Enjoy unrivalled sailing at Bradwell – our Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Training Centre
Find us
Essex Outdoors Bradwell, Southminster CM0 7QY
• Chelmsford 45 minutes
• Cambridge 1 hour 45 minutes
• London 1 hour 35 minutes
• Nor wich 2 hours 15 minutes
About us
A small to medium sized residential and day activity centre specialising in sailing and water sports in a magical spot on the stunning River Blackwater with panoramic views and stunning sunsets.
• For groups of up to 130*
Stay with us
Fully catered, cosy overnight accommodation is offered in our purpose built residential centre or safari tent village.
• Dining room, classroom and games room
• Waterside barbeque area
Get active with us
Get on the water with us and enjoy a further fantastic 10 activities including:
• Dragon boating
• Sailing
• Raft building
• High ropes
• Off road biking
• Crabbing
DISCOVER A WOODLAND HAVEN AT DANBURY
Enjoy 70 acres and over 15 amazing activities at one of our most popular sites.
Find us
Essex Outdoors Danbury, Well Lane, Danbury CM3 4AB
• Chelmsford 15 minutes
• Cambridge 1 hour 15 minutes
• London 1 hour 15 minutes
• Nor wich 1 hour 50 minutes
About us
An easily accessible, purpose built, large day and residential centre set in quiet woodland in the heart of Essex with a fantastic range of activity on offer.
• For groups of up to 450*
Stay with us
Fully catered, comfortable and flexible overnight accommodation is offered in a variety of options to suit your needs.
• Cosy heated log cabins (sleeping 8 to 10 young people) with private bathrooms
• Camping pods, with underfloor heating (sleeping 2 to 8 people per pod)
• Camping in the tent village for a more traditional experience
Indoor dining, private marquees for groups, conference and training rooms also on site.
Get active with us
Enjoy an exhilarating, broad and varied mix of over 15 outdoor activities including:
• Aerial trekking
• Bushcraft
• BMX biking
• Obstacle course
• Vertical challenge
• Zip wire
Take a virtual tour
*Capacity and some activities may vary depending on the time of year.
CAPTIVATING ISLAND ADVENTURES AT MERSEA
Explore over 20 incredible activities with magical estuary views.
Find us
Essex Outdoors Mersea, Rewsalls Lane, Colchester CO5 8SX
• Chelmsford 45 minutes
• Cambridge 1 hour 30 minutes
• London 1 hour 30 minutes
• Nor wich 1 hour 30 minutes
About us
Our largest capacity residential centre is situated on the charming island of Mersea on the edge of the River Blackwater, just south of Colchester. It is set in 60 acres of beautiful grounds with over 20 activities, including water sports. It has a heated pool on location.
• For groups of up to 520*
Stay with us
We have 215 indoor beds, with tents available for up to 300* along with large log cabins.
Discuss the best mix to suit your needs.
• Ingram Lodge, self contained residential centre with communal living space
• Blackwater Village, snug heated cabins with disabled access
• Colne camping pods, modern and comfortable – the latest addition to our accommodation offer
Enjoy a comprehensive range of facilities including modern shower blocks, dining rooms, laundry and a big screen cinema room.
Get active with us
Choose from over 20 outdoor and coastal activities for the full Mersea experience. Activities include:
• Archery
• Pedal karts
• Giant swing
• Vertical challenge
• Zip wire
• Swimming pool
Take a virtual tour:
*Capacity and some activities may vary depending on the time of year.
TAKE THEM TO NEW HEIGHTS AT HARLOW
Got less time?
Book a single day, morning or afternoon.
Discover our specialist paddlesports and climbing centre.
Find us
Essex Outdoors Harlow, Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow CM20 2QS
• Chelmsford 40 minutes
• London 1 hour
• Cambridge 50 minutes
• Nor wich 1 hour 50 minutes
About us
A small, friendly outdoor day centre packing in some big adventures. Access miles of tranquil waterways, the High Adventure, outdoor climbing towers and discover The Lock, one of the UK’s largest indoor climbing walls.
• For groups of up to 80 to 120.*
Facilities
• Fully equipped with accessible toilets, showers and changing rooms
• Packed lunches available as part of the day package
• Climbing and paddlesports equipment provided
Get active with us
What a difference a day can make. Watch the children develop their communication, confidence, teamwork and problem‑solving skills.
Choose from activities including:
• Climbing
• Canoeing
• Archery
• Crate stacking
• Raft building
• Stand up paddleboarding
Take a virtual tour:
*Capacity and some activities may vary depending on the time of year.
ESSEX OUTDOORS
– WHY US?
Proven experience
Nine out of 10 schools come back.
That tells you everything. From the quality of our accommodation and catering to the expertise of our team, we hold ourselves to a standard that keeps schools returning year after year.
Comfortable beds, proper meals and an experience your pupils will keep talking about when they get home.
Can I just say how impressed we were with the quality of teaching and interaction with the students for their GCSE assessment?
The students really enjoyed the sessions and that is testament to the instructors.
High School
Great balance of challenge and support and fun.
Excellent instructors – all read the needs of the group quickly and adapted their approach accordingly.
All combined to really help all our children shine.
Kingsfleet Primary School
Birchwood
Our safety promise
Our centres are held to rigorous quality and safety standards, staffed by fully qualified specialists and built around the duty of care that schools and parents rightly expect.
As local authority run centres, we’re committed to keeping our programmes affordable without cutting corners on quality, safety or specialist expertise.
Accreditations
AALA approved, LOtC Quality badge awarded, all staff fully DBS checked, 24‑hour duty team, specialist paediatric and outdoor first aid trained staff.
When to visit
Beyond the busy summer months, spring and autumn bring a quieter, more focused outdoor learning experience for independent schools – an ideal moment to discover, or rediscover, what Essex Outdoors can deliver.
For a perfectly tailored quote fill in our form
