Do something different this New Year’s Day says Visit Essex

13th December 2023

Visit Essex highlights how to get out and enjoy the county for less this New Year’s Day. 

Visit Essex is encouraging locals to get out and enjoy the county on New Year’s Day. From annual traditions to ring in the New Year to crisp winter trails, Visit Essex is walking us through the best things to do for less this New Year’s Day.

Councillor Mark Durham, Chair, Visit Essex, said: “New Year’s Day is a chance to set resolutions and make a commitment to yourself. Why not start the year by exploring your own county? There are plenty of different and cheaper things going on across Essex this year.

“We understand that Christmas is an expensive time, so we’re showing you how you can see the county for less! Bring the whole family and enjoy yourself right in your backyard.”

Here is the rundown of best places to go and things to do with the whole family this New Year’s Day: 

New Year’s Day Crank Up & Wassail, Museum of Power, Maldon, Essex
For something unique to do this year, why not visit the Museum of Power on New Year’s Day? The museum is ringing in the new year by cranking up their engines and blessing the fruit trees in their orchard to ask for a bountiful crop with their Wassail Song. Dancers and musicians will entertain you throughout the day, while their engine, Marshall, will be running on air. The Astaria Model Village will be open and for young ones, the miniature railway will be running. Hot food and drink will be available. The event will take place 10am to 3pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults, £4 for concessions, £3 for children (aged 5-15) and under 5s go free. 

New Year’s Day Walk at High Woods Country Park, Colchester, Essex
Head over to High Woods Country Park for their traditional crisp winter walk through the park. The walk will be three miles and a park ranger will lead the walk. Afterwards, enjoy a cup of mulled wine and a mince pie. To join the walk, meet outside the visitor centre in the park. Ticket prices are £5.50 and the walk will take places between 11am and 1pm. 

Have some upside-down fun at Upside Down House Lakeside, Grays, Essex
This stylish red wine coloured house is an exciting day out for all of the family. Walk on the ceiling, reach for the furniture and capture great photos while you do it! Open on New Year’s Day, Upside Down House Lakeside is a unique experience, easily accessible from London. The high-end interior design was decorated by the experienced Interior Design Team of IKEA! For a chance to win an Amazon gift voucher, visitors can also take a picture of themselves at Upside Down House Lakeside and enter their Christmas competition. Venue entry tickets are £4.50 per person and children aged 3 and under go free. Bank Holiday opening times are 10am to 6pm. 

Fingringhoe Ho Ho Reindeer Trail, Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park, Colchester, Essex
Bring the whole family to keep the Christmassy feeling going with Fingringhoe Nature Discovery Park’s Reindeer Trail. Santa’s reindeer will be hiding around the reserve, and children will be challenged to find them and answer their wintry questions to win a prize. Visitors can drop in any time between 10am and 3pm, and the trail costs £3. 

Burn off the Christmas leftovers with a New Year’s Day trail
The Stick Man play trail at Weald Country Park in Brentwood helps children and families enjoy challenging and imaginative play. The trail is free to use during park opening hours but trail maps can be purchased for 80p from the visitor centre car park. 

Thorndon Country Park in Brentwood is home to the Gruffalo Trail, but there’s also a new Heritage Trail at Thorndon South. The trails are free to walk, but a map for the Gruffalo Trail can be purchased for 80p at the Countryside Centre at Thorndon North. 
The whole family can take their bikes and cycle through Hadleigh Country Park, the home of mountain biking during the 2012 Olympics. The bike trails are free to ride, and there are extra trails that have been added to the Olympic course so people of all abilities can try it out. 
To discover more, see www.visitessex.com. 
ENDS

Note to editor:

•    Upside down house, Lakeside - https://www.visitessex.com/whats-on/celebrating-christmas-upside-down-a-holiday-adventure-at-upside-down-house-p2061001
 
•    New Year's Day Crank Up and Wassail at Museum of Power - https://www.visitessex.com/whats-on/new-years-day-crank-up-and-wassail-at-museum-of-power-p2062431
 
•    Gruffalo Trail - https://www.visitessex.com/things-to-do/thorndon-country-park-gruffalo-trail-p1267671  and the Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park https://www.visitessex.com/things-to-do/weald-country-park-stick-man-play-trail-p1267681
 
•    Essex Wildlife Trust Fingringhoe Wick Nature Discovery Park Reindeer Trail - Fingringhoe ho ho Reindeer Trail | Essex Wildlife Trust (essexwt.org.uk)
 
•    New Years Day Walk at High Woods Country Park - https://www.visitcolchester.com/whats-on/new-years-day-walk-at-high-woods-country-park-p1811761

VISIT ESSEX
Visit Essex is the official tourism organisation and the only body specifically marketing the whole of the county to the visitor market. We work with visitor attractions, leisure/activity providers, accommodation establishments and other tourism related businesses (including the travel trade, media and wider partners), to ensure that the county remains a leading visitor destination.
Our work encompasses major marketing campaigns, high profile PR work, business support, and the management and promotion of the official Visit Essex brand. Visit Essex will ensure that the county gets the recognition it deserves as a desirable place to visit in the 21st century. We will work closely with partners to develop a sustainable tourism offering for the future, identify new markets and harness visitors at the county's major gateways of Stansted, Harwich, Southend and Tilbury.
For further information:
Hilary Collins, Big Wave PR, hilary@wearebigwavepr.co.uk, or call 01206 231807.