Indoor Activities in Essex for Rainy Days

Its always difficult to know what to do with the kids for days out when its raining in Essex. There are so many brilliant Essex visitor attractions to try out, whether it’s for adults only, family time or a kids day out. Here is the complete list of Indoor Activity ideas for spending time with the family, kids days out or school holidays. From Bowling, Museums, to Mini Golf or something quirky, I’ve got you covered. Also check out my list of Free and Cheap days out in Essex. Below you will find a list of fun things to do and indoors activities in Essex when it is raining:

Over 250 ideas for Indoor activities in Essex for those rainy days. Complete list of things to do in Essex when it’s raining for family days out with the kids

Check out Tripadvisor for reviews of activities below:

Bowling

Ten Pin Bowling can be great fun for all the family, with the option of bumpers and ramps to make things easier for those who need it. Who will be getting a strike?

• Basildon – Hollywood Bowl – With 26 bowling lanes, VIP Lanes, Arcade, Diner, Pool Tables and Bar.
• Bishops Stortford – Ace of Lanes – Bowling, Interactive Darts, Arcade games, Pool, Bar and Restaurant.
• Braintree – Namco Funscape – Bowling, soft play, arcade games, pool, Clip ‘n Climb Climbing Walls and Cafe.
• Clacton – The Pavilion Fun Park – Bowling, Soft Play and Restaurant, they also have outdoor Fun Park, Adventure Golf and Water Park.
• Chelmsford – City Bowl & Snooker Club – Bowling Lanes, 11 Championship Snooker Tables, 6 English Pool Tables, Bowling Leagues, Bar and Restaurant.
• Colchester – Hollywood Bowl – Opening June 2024, Bowling, VIP Lanes, Mini Golf, Arcades, Bar and Diner.
• Colchester – Tenpin – Bowling Lanes, Laser Tag, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Harlow – Tenpin – Bowling Lanes, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Hockley – CJ’s Bowling – Bowling, Pool, Snooker, Augmented Reality Darts, Bar/Café, Arcades and Pro Shop.
• Lakeside – Hollywood Bowl – With 24 bowling lanes, VIP Lanes, Arcade, Diner, Pool Tables and Bar.
• Maldon – Madison Heights – Giant Children’s Soft Play Centre, Full sized Indoor Roller Skating Rink, 12 Lanes of Vegas Themed Ten-Pin Bowling, café, bar and restaurant, Arcade centre with classic games, 5 full sized pool tables and Fully licensed bar.
• Romford – Namco Funscape – Pool, Bowling and Arcades.
• Romford – Rollerbowl – Bowling, Pool, Air Hockey, Arcades Amusement Area, Diner and Bar.
• Southend – Kingpins Bowl – Bowling, Augmented Darts, Shuffleboard, Pool and Augmented Reality Air Hockey, Arcade, Karaoke, Bar and Restaurant.

Indoor Mini Golf

Where to find an indoor mini golf near me in Essex. Can be called adventure golf, crazy golf, mini golf, these courses will definitely bring the indoor fun factor:

• Basildon – Jurassica Golf – Immersive 9-hole golf course, themed after the prehistoric wonderland of Jurassica. You’ll need to navigate through a series of challenges, including airbags, a Lazer Maze, and a swampy Ball Pit.
• Basildon – Mulligans – Two Adventure Golf Courses, Electro-Darts, Pool, Shuffle Board, Karaoke Room, Bar and a Restaurant.
• Billericay – Hackers – 16 hole adventure golf course, Escape Rooms and Adventure Games, Augmented Reality Darts, Bar and Restaurant.
• Chelmsford – Bck Yrd Golf – Two 10 hole crazy courses, you’ll shoot through toilets and through dodgems. Take time out before or after your game and unwind with entertainment and drinks.
• Chelmsford Boom Battle Bar – Crazier 9-hole Golf Course, American Pool, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Ping Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Clacton Pier – Skull Point – All weather 18 hole adventure golf, across two floors. Indoor and Outdoor Adventure Golf.
• Colchester – Hollywood Bowl – Opening June 2024, Bowling, VIP Lanes, Mini Golf, Arcades, Bar and Diner.
• Colchester – No Name Bar and Games – Crazy Golf, Reality Darts, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Golf Simulator, Pool Tables, Beer Pong, Axe Throwing, Karaoke, Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Harlow – Glo Crazy at Q Entertainment – Ultraviolet Crazy Golf Course with glow in the dark course, balls and clubs. They also have indoor Quasar Arena, Escape Rooms, Gamers Cage, Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality, bar, cafe, Pool and Arcade games.
• Lakeside – Puttshack – Interactive Golf Courses with balls that track your score, plus you win or lose points with fun games along the way.
• Southend – Caddies – Home to two 9-hole CRAZIER Mini Golf courses, AMAZEBALLS illuminated Ball Pit, Pool, Air Hockey, Shuffleboard, Battle Bumper Cars, Quirky Cocktails, Snacks and Comedy Club.

Go Karting

Do you love the adrenaline of racing round a track? Then indoor Go Karting in Essex might be for you. Challenge your friends and family to a race and see who will come out at the top of the podium:

• Basildon – Team Sport – Race on a multi-level indoor 500m go kart circuit.
• Harlow – Team Sport – Race on a multi-level indoor 500m go kart circuit.

Escape Rooms

If you’re seeking an exhilarating and immersive experience for the whole family, then look no further. Escape rooms offer themed rooms filled with puzzles, clues, and mysteries waiting to be unravelled. Grab your team and solve the clues. We have many wonderful escape and adventure rooms in Essex to try out:

• Basildon – Escape Basildon – 3 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Billericay – Hackers – 16 hole adventure golf course, Escape Rooms and Adventure Games, Augmented Reality Darts, Bar and Restaurant.
• Bishops Stortford Escape Rooms – 4 Themed Escape Rooms including an overnight Escape experience.
• Brentwood – Clue HQ – 4 Themed Escape Rooms
• Chelmsford – Escape Chelmsford – 2 Themed Escape Rooms
• Chelmsford – Escape Live – 3 Escape Rooms.
• Chelmsford Escape Rooms – 3 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Chelmsford – Professor Delgado’s Chelmsford Escape Rooms – 3 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Clacton – Cluetopia – 4 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Colchester – Doomsday Escape Games – 2 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Colchester – Escape Colchester – 7 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Harlow – The Panic Room – 6 Themed Escape Rooms along with Axe Throwing.
• Harlow – Q Entertainment – Ultraviolet Crazy Golf Course with glow in the dark course, balls and clubs. They also have indoor Quasar Arena, Escape Rooms, Gamers Cage, Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality, bar, cafe, Pool and Arcade games.
• Harwich – Cluetopia – New room coming 2024.
• Hockley – VR Escape – Eight Virtual Reality Escape Rooms.
• Hornchurch – Room Lockdown Escape Rooms – 5 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Lakeside – Escape Hunt – 4 Themed Escape Rooms, Virtual Reality Games.
• Maldon Escape Rooms – 3 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Ongar – Puzzlez Escape Room – 3 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Romford – Room Lockdown Escape Rooms – 5 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Southend – Escape Southend – 2 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Southend – Escape Live – 3 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Walton – Cluetopia – 2 Themed Escape Rooms.
• Wickford – Keylock Games Escape Rooms – 3 Themed Escape Rooms
• Witham Games Arena & Escape Rooms – 6 Themed Escape Rooms, Games Arena, Gaming and VR Centre, Laserscape Laser Tag.

Soft Play

A soft play centre in Essex is a great way to keep out of the rain. With lots of fun to be had for kids, from slides to ball pits, there is plenty to keep them busy. This should help when looking for a soft play near me:

• Basildon – 360 Play Basildon – A large soft play area across two floors with mini ball pit, a sensory area and a small adventure play area, Role Play 360 Street, Outdoor Play, Dodgems, Carousel, Food.
• Basildon – Monkey Madness – Large Soft play centre with cafe and Laser Tag.
• Basildon – Stay & Play – Soft Play with Sensory Room and Cafe.
• Bicknacre – White Elm Petting Farm and Soft Play – Soft play centre and Farm with Cafe and outdoor playground within the farm.
• Braintree – Namco Funscape – Bowling, Soft Play, Arcade Games, pool, Clip ‘n Climb Climbing Walls and Cafe.
• Braintree – Partyman World – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Brentwood – Kiddos’ Play Cafe – Ultimate soft play experience for children with our wholesome family cafe and comfortable viewing area. 6 months to 9 yrs.
• Brentwood – King George’s Playing Fields – TAGactive facility, a soft play area and cafe, along with outdoor splash pad and adventure playground.
• Burnham-on-Crouch – Lets Go Bonkers – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Canvey Island – Cheeky Monkeys – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Chelmsford – Mace Playce – They have two venues in Chelmsford. Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Chelmsford – Ninja Warrior UK – Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park inspired by the TV show. Test your Ninja skills while climbing, balancing and swinging across obstacles or bouncing across our inflatable, climbing the Warped Wall and Mount Sasuke to clamber up.
• Clacton – The Pavilion Fun Park – Bowling, Soft Play and Restaurant, they also have outdoor Fun Park, Adventure Golf and Water Park.
• Colchester – Go Bananas – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Colchester – Jungle Adventure – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Dunmow – Little Monsters House of Fun – Soft Play Centre, Lazer Tag and Cafe.
• Epping – Ashylns Wildlife Park – Soft Play Centre with Cafe and wildlife park.
• Harlow – Kidz Kingdom – Soft Play Centre and Cafe, Climbing Walls, Swimming, Trampoline Park.
• Harlow – Wild n Wacky – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Hockley – Monkey Bizzness Soft Play – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Lakeside – Flip Out Lakeside – Indoor Trampoline and Adventure Park, Laser Quest, Traverse Wall, Ninja Wipeout, Stunt Zone and Ninja Maze, Battle Beams, Battle Baskets, Street Football, Toddler Soft Play and Cafe.
• Lakeside – Partyman World – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Maldon – Monkey Puzzle, Madison Heights – Giant Children’s Soft Play Centre, Full sized Indoor Roller Skating Rink, 12 Lanes of Vegas Themed Ten-Pin Bowling, café, bar and restaurant, Arcade centre with classic games, 5 full sized pool tables and Fully licensed bar.
• Pitsea – The Place Leisure Centre – Soft Play are for under 8s.
• Rayleigh – The MegaCentre Rayleigh – Soft Play Centre with Cafe and Laser Tag.
• Rochford – Monkey Bizness Rochford – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Romford – Excel Kids Play n Care – Soft Play Centre for 0-9 years.
• Romford – Kiddie Winks Soft Play – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Sawbridgeworth – The Playbarn – Soft Play Centre and Cafe with Garden Area.
• Southend Adventure Inside – Adventure Island isn’t just home to Southend’s famous theme park, but they have adventure Inside, which includes rides, arcades and a large softplay.
• Southend – Kids Kingdom – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• South Ockendon – Kids R Us – Soft Play, Football Pitch, Ball Pits and Cafe.
• Stanford-le-Hope – Small Monsters – Under 6 Soft Play Venue.
• Stanford-le-Hope – Tots World at Walton Hall Farm – Indoor soft play barn with cafe, outdoor park, craft kabin
• Upminster – Partyman World – Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Wickford – Totsville – Role Play and Soft Play Centre within a Cafe.
• Witham – Pickles Playhouse – Soft Play Centre for under 7s and Cafe.

Trampoline Parks

A great and fun way to use up lots of energy has to be a Trampoline Park. There are so many indoor activities for the kids to explore!

• Chelmsford – AirHop Adventure Park – Adventure Trampoline Park, Climbing Walls, Air Slides, Dodgeball, Slam Dunk Basketball.
• Colchester – AirHop Adventure Park – Adventure Trampoline Park, Dodgeball, Slam Dunk Basketball.
• Harlow – Urban Limitz – Adventure Trampoline Park, Soft Play Centre and Cafe, Climbing Walls and Swimming.
• Lakeside – Flip Out Lakeside – Indoor Trampoline and Adventure Park, Laser Quest, Traverse Wall, Ninja Wipeout, Stunt Zone and Ninja Maze, Battle Beams, Battle Baskets, Street Football, Toddler Softplay and Cafe.
• Rayleigh – Oxygen Activeplay – Trampoline Park, with Dodgeball, Slam Dunk Basketball and Giant Airbags, Climbing Walls, Interactive Sports Pitch, Soft Play Area for under 5s and Cafe.
• Romford – Oxygen Activeplay – Trampoline Park, with Dodgeball, Ninja Course and Giant Airbags, Climbing Walls, Soft Play Area for under 5s and Cafe.

Swimming

Swimming pools aren’t just for swimming, many of the pools in Essex also have slides or lazy rivers and can be a lot of fun! A great form of exercise too. Below you can find a list of the Swimming Pools in Essex:

Museums 

Essex has a huge array of Museums, you can discover the long history of Essex and it’s past lives. They can be not only educational but a lot of fun, with many museums holding exciting and interesting exhibitions to explore. Many include trails or interactive indoor activities to enjoy. Find a Museum in Essex near you:

• Billericay – Cater Museum – We are a small museum in the heart of Billericay High Street dedicated to the history of the area and its community. Pay us a visit and learn something new about the town!
• Braintree District Museum – The gallery exhibits the diverse local industrial heritage, from Archaeology, Art & Ceramics, Geology & Fossils, WWI and WWII, a Victorian Classroom, along with other exhibitions.
• Brightlingsea Museum – Learn about the town’s unique claim to fame with its Cinque Port connections, follow the construction of a ship from drawing board to launch, escape to the heydays of the luxury steam yachts and the graceful ocean-going racing yachts and then finally take command of HMS Nemo and discover the role of the town in times of war and danger.
• Chelmsford City Museum Dig deeper into Chelmsford’s history with collections dating back thousands of years, right up to the current day. They have a Toy and Childhood exhibition, along with exhibitions of Ceramics, Fashion and Costume, Wildlife and Victorian Kitchen. It Is also home to the Essex Regiment Museum.
• Chelmsford – Essex Police Museum – The museum tells the story of the history of the police in Essex, from the Victorians to modern day. You’ll mind many artifacts from historic crimes, for example, the shoes of Camille Holland, murdered for her money in 1899, and the death mask of Frederick Browne, who killed PC Gutteridge in 1927. Try on some police uniform, or take a set of fingerprints.
• Colchester Castle – Houses interactive displays and star exhibits, like the Colchester Gladiator Vase and Fenwick Hoard of Roman treasure. You can build a Norman archway, dress as an Iron Age Briton, steering a Roman chariot or firing a replica ballista at the east wall. Tours, led by expert guides, are offered daily and can take you down into the Roman vaults and up to the Castle roof. 
• Colchester Hollytrees Museum – Three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718. Discover family life for the rich and poor.
• Colchester – Natural History Museum – The Natural History collections focus on Britain and north-east Essex in particular. Interactive displays including feel the surface of a shell, peek into a badgers sett and hear the roar of a mammoth! You can also find a range of puzzles, books and dress up in the activity area.
• Colchester – Tiptree Tea Room and Museum – The home of the Wilkin Family where Tiptree was first made. Not only do they have a lovely cafe serving a Tiptree afternoon tea but they have a small free museum about the factory’s history of jam making.
• Epping Forest District Museum – Housed in a beautiful Grade II* listed Tudor building dating from 1485 to 1603. Explore the collection including paintings, jewellery, costumes, a woolly mammoth tusk and the Waltham Abbey Bible.
• Grays – Essex Fire Museum – A history of Essex Fire Service from the 18th century to today. Housing a collection featuring historic fire engines, firefighting equipment, uniforms and photographs. 
• Harlow Museum and Walled Garden – The gallery spaces share and highlight the history of the town from the Iron Age to the present day. The site is also home to three historical gardens set across two acres of lush green space with a seating area, perfect for picnics.
• Harwich Lifeboat Museum – Museum contains the last Clacton off-shore. Oakley Class Lifeboat 34ft and a history of the lifeboat service in Harwich.
• Harwich Maritime Museum – The museum is full of nautical memorabilia from photographs and paintings to ships in bottles and lighthouse bulbs. There are displays on the Royal Navy, including uniform and badges and local commercial shipping. A fantastic view of the shipping activity in the harbour is obtained from the top floor of the Lighthouse.
• Harwich Redoubt Fort – Harwich Redoubt was built in the 1800’s to defend Harwich and Essex from a Napoleonic invasion. The Grade II, circular fort has commanding views across the harbour and estuary.  Part of the fort is now used as a military museum and battle re-enactments and other events are held during the summer months.
• Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker – A large underground bunker maintained during the Cold War as a potential regional government headquarters.
• Leigh Heritage Centre – Learn all about the history of Leigh and it’s people
• Maldon – Combined Military Services Museum – Military Museums which tells the story of the British fighting force from the English Civil War to the present day. Spread over three floors the Museum offers an opportunity to discover military history. The collection includes medals, uniforms, firearms, swords and one of the finest displays of Special Forces equipment anywhere in the country.
• Maldon- Museum of Power – Housed in a former water pumping station, the Museum houses a collection of power related exhibits, a tea room, picnic area and a miniature railway all set in attractive riverside grounds.
• Maldon – The Museum in the Park – Housed over two floors of the former Park Keepers Lodge, you will find a Penny Farthing bicycle, a replica waistcoat of the Fat Man of Maldon, which accommodated 7 men along with exhibits charting the social history of the town over the last two hundred years. Displays include old Maldon shop fronts, a Victorian parlour and the history of the railways.
• North Weald Airfield Museum – The museum houses the memories the changing community of service personnel and civilians who have lived, worked, flown, fought and died here since the airfield opened in 1916.
• Mersea Museum – The traditional local activities of fishing, oystering, wild fowling and boat building are represented. The exhibition in the main hall is new each year and features a number of different displays.
• Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre – Social history and military collections including: maritime related material. The Purfleet Heritage & Military Centre is housed within Magazine No.5 of what was once the Royal Magazine for Gunpowder situated on the banks of the River Thames.
• Rayleigh Museum – Housed in a 14th century timber framed building in the centre of the High Street is a museum dedicated to the history of Rayleigh, it’s people, places and heritage.
• Romford – Havering Museum – The Museum tells the remarkable story of Havering from pre-history to the present day and celebrates the achievements of local people while exploring how the areas that make up the Borough.
• Saffron Walden Museum – One of the country’s oldest local purpose-built museums. You will find collections including: Ancient Egypt, Archaeology, Ceramics and Glass, Costume and Textiles, Geology, Furniture and Woodwork, Local and Social History, Natural History and World Cultures. From stone axes to Samurai armour, Saxon riches to shields, spears and swords. You will also find toys, decorative arts, an Ancient Egyptian Mummy and a glove given away by Mary Queen of Scots on the eve of her execution.
• Southend Pier Museum – Artefacts and pictorial displays of the pier’s entertainment, disasters, staff, boats, illuminations and they have a railway to explore the pier itself.
• Southend Central Museum & Planetarium – Collections range from Archaeology, including the incredible Anglo Saxon Prittlewell Princely Burial, a new exhibition “Wunderkammer” with a mummified cat, to a full-length replica of the Bayeux Tapestry. Alongside some unique Natural History specimens and some examples of world renowned domestic design through our EKCO radio collection. The Planetarium has a range of fascinating talks focusing on the night sky.
• Southend – Southchurch Hall and Gardens -A medieval moated manor house, which dates to the early 14th century. Explore what life was like during the medieval, Tudor, Stuart and Victorian times, with a selection of historic furniture and collection displayed throughout.
• Southend – Prittlewell Priory – A stunning Grade I listed Priory and the oldest continuously occupied building in Southend. Prittlewell Priory has been a monastery, a private house, and a museum.
• Southminster – Mangapps Railway Museum – The Museum has one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of railway items in Britain. The Mangapps collection includes a number of original railway buildings.
• Stansted Mountfitchet – The House on the Hill Toy Museum – The House on the Hill Toy Museum has over 70,000 individual toys on display ranging from humble homemade toys, Victorian toys when they were mainly only purchased by the rich to the emergence of modern technology during the 1970’s and 1980’s.
• Thaxted Guildhall – A magnificent building housing a permanent display of old photographs and objects relating to the history of Thaxted and a small museum.

Augmented Reality Darts

Augmented Reality Darts combines state-of-the-art technology with the classic game, with lots of different games to choose from AR darts is a lot of fun, whether it’s for a date, family time or fun with friends.

• Basildon – Mulligans – Two Adventure Golf Courses, Electro-Darts, Pool, Shuffle Board, Karaoke Room, Bar and a Restaurant.
• Billericay – Hackers – 16 hole adventure golf course, Escape Rooms and Adventure Games, Augmented Reality Darts, Bar and Restaurant.
• Bishops Stortford – Ace of Lanes – Bowling, Interactive Darts, Arcade games, Pool, Bar and Restaurant.
• Chelmsford Boom Battle Bar – Crazier 9-hole Golf Course, American Pool, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Ping Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Colchester – No Name Bar and Games – Crazy Golf, Reality Darts, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Golf Simulator, Pool Tables, Beer Pong, Axe Throwing, Karaoke, Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Harlow – Scratch 8 – Simulation Centre with golf bays, Augmented Darts, Table Tennis, Football, Shuffleboard and Car & Plane simulators.
• Hockley – CJ’s Bowling – Bowling, Pool, Snooker, Augmented Reality Darts, Bar/Café, Arcades and Pro Shop.
• Lakeside – Boom Battle Bar – American Pool, Augmented Reality Darts, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Southend – Bunker 19 – Simulation golf and entertainment centre, Augmented Darts, food and drink.
• Southend – Kingpins Bowl – Bowling, Augmented Darts, Shuffleboard, Pool and Augmented Reality Air Hockey, Arcade, Karaoke, Bar and Restaurant.

Laser Tag / Quasar

Laser Tag battles can be so much fun in a team, grab your laser gun and battle it out to find a winner, find a laser tag venue near me:

• Basildon – Monkey Madness – Large Soft play centre with cafe and Laser Tag.
• Colchester – Tenpin – 20 Bowling Lanes, Laser Tag, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Dunmow – Little Monsters House of Fun – Soft Play Centre, Lazer Tag and Cafe.
• Harlow – Quaser – Q Entertainment – Ultraviolet Crazy Golf Course with glow in the dark course, balls and clubs. They also have indoor Quasar Arena, Escape Rooms, Gamers Cage, Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality, bar, cafe, Pool and Arcade games.
• Lakeside – Flip Out Lakeside – Indoor Trampoline and Adventure Park, Laser Quest, Traverse Wall, Ninja Wipeout, Stunt Zone and Ninja Maze, Battle Beams, Battle Baskets, Street Football, Toddler Softplay and Cafe.
• Rayleigh – The MegaCentre Rayleigh – Soft Play Centre with Cafe and Laser Tag.
• Romford – Laser Quest & VR – Laser Quest battle zones and VR experience. Laser Quest Romford features an immersive, cutting-edge 5D cinema and VR ride experiences!
• Witham Games Arena & Escape Rooms – 5 Themed Escape Rooms, Games Arena, Gaming and VR Centre, Laserscape Laser Tag.

Arcades and Gaming

A games arcade is always a firm favourite with people young and old, whether its the Arcades at a seafront or one of the following venues, they all have something to offer for lots of indoor fun in Essex:

• Basildon – Hollywood Bowl – With 26 bowling lanes, VIP Lanes, Arcade, Diner, Pool Tables and Bar.
• Basildon – Mulligans – Two Adventure Golf Courses, Electro-Darts, Pool, Shuffle Board, Karaoke Room, Bar and a Restaurant.
• Billericay – Players Lounge – Pool Tables, Indoor 5-a-side Football Pitch, Interactive Golf, Computer Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Bishops Stortford – Ace of Lanes – Bowling, Interactive Darts, Arcade games, Pool, Bar and Restaurant.
• Braintree – Namco Funscape – Bowling, soft play, arcade games, pool, Clip ‘n Climb Climbing Walls and Cafe.
• Chelmsford Boom Battle Bar – Crazier 9-hole Golf Course, American Pool, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Ping Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Colchester – Hollywood Bowl – Opening June 2024, Bowling, VIP Lanes, Mini Golf, Arcades, Bar and Diner.
• Colchester – No Name Bar and Games – Crazy Golf, Reality Darts, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Golf Simulator, Pool Tables, Beer Pong, Axe Throwing, Karaoke, Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Colchester – Tenpin – 20 Bowling Lanes, Laser Tag, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Harlow – Scratch 8 – Simulation Centre with golf bays, Augmented Darts, Table Tennis, Football, Shuffleboard and Car & Plane simulators.
• Harlow – Tenpin – Bowling Lanes, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Harlow – Q Entertainment – Ultraviolet Crazy Golf Course with glow in the dark course, balls and clubs. They also have indoor Quasar Arena, Escape Rooms, Gamers Cage, Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality, bar, cafe, Pool and Arcade games.
• Lakeside – Boom Battle Bar – American Pool, Augmented Reality Darts, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Lakeside – Hollywood Bowl – With 24 bowling lanes, VIP Lanes, Arcade, Diner, Pool Tables and Bar.
• Lakeside – Immersive Gamebox – Interactive Video Games
• Lakeside – Nickelodeon Adventure – A fun arcade perfect for younger kids where they can meet their favourite characters in the different zones, including a 4D cinema.
• Maldon – Madison Heights – Giant Children’s Soft Play Centre, Full sized Indoor Roller Skating Rink, 12 Lanes of Vegas Themed Ten-Pin Bowling, café, bar and restaurant, Arcade centre with classic games, 5 full sized pool tables and Fully licensed bar.
• Romford – Laser Quest & VR – Laser Quest battle zones and VR experience. Laser Quest Romford features an immersive, cutting-edge 5D cinema and VR ride experiences!
• Romford – Namco Funscape – Pool, Bowling and Arcades.
• Romford – Rollerbowl – Bowling, Pool, Air Hockey, Arcades Amusement Area, Diner and Bar.
• Southend Adventure Inside – Adventure Island isn’t just home to Southend’s famous theme park, but they have adventure Inside, which includes rides, arcades and a large softplay.
• Southend – Caddies – Home to two 9-hole CRAZIER Mini Golf courses, AMAZEBALLS illuminated Ball Pit, Pool, Air Hockey, Shuffleboard, Battle Bumper Cars, Quirky Cocktails, Snacks and Comedy Club.
• Southend – Kingpins Bowl – Bowling, Augmented Darts, Shuffleboard, Pool and Augmented Reality Air Hockey, Arcade, Karaoke, Bar and Restaurant.
• Witham Games Arena & Escape Rooms – 5 Themed Escape Rooms, Games Arena, Gaming and VR Centre, Laserscape Laser Tag.

Virtual Reality Centres

VR games and escape games are a completely immersive experience and are a relatively new activity you can enjoy in Essex. Here are the Virtual Reality Centres in Essex:

• Harlow – Glo Crazy at Q Entertainment – Ultraviolet Crazy Golf Course with glow in the dark course, balls and clubs. They also have indoor Quasar Arena, Escape Rooms, Gamers Cage, Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality, bar, cafe, Pool and Arcade Games.
• Hockley – VR Escape – Eight Virtual Reality Escape Rooms.
• Lakeside – Escape Hunt – 4 Themed Escape Rooms, Virtual Reality Games.
• Romford – Laser Quest & VR – Laser Quest battle zones and VR experience. Laser Quest Romford features an immersive, cutting-edge 5D cinema and VR ride experiences!
• Witham Games Arena & Escape Rooms – 5 Themed Escape Rooms, Games Arena, Gaming and VR Centre, Laserscape Laser Tag.

Cinemas

There are many cinemas across Essex from state of the art 4D screens with moving seats to old fashioned historic cinemas:

• Basildon – Cineworld -Regular screens, 3D, IMAX, 4DX, ScreenX, SuperScreen and VIP.
• Braintree – Cineworld – 12 screens including 3D..
• Burnham – The Rio Cinema – 2 screens.
• Canvey Island – Movie Starr – 4 screens.
• Chelmsford – Everyman – 6 luxury screens with sofa chairs and dining in your seat.
• Clacton – Century – 2 screens.
• Colchester – Curzon – 3 screens with wide reclining seats.
• Chelmsford – Odeon – 8 screens including 3D.
• Colchester – Odeon – 8 screens including 3D.
• Harlow – Cineworld – 6 screens including 3D.
• Harwich – Electric Palace – 1 screen.
• Romford – Premiere Cinemas – 7 screens.
• Romford – Vue Cinema – 16 screens including 3D.
• Southend – Odeon – 8 screens including 3D.
• Thurrock – Vue – 9 screens including 3D.

Sea Life Centre

Southend – Sealife Adventure – You can explore so much more here than in a regular aquarium. Journey around each of our ocean zones and immerse yourself in the wonders of life on planet Earth, meet the land-loving animals, too, including cheeky monkeys, curious meerkats and waddling-wonderful Humboldt Penguins.

Castles & Historic Visits

• Colchester Castle – Houses interactive displays and star exhibits, like the Colchester Gladiator Vase and Fenwick Hoard of Roman treasure. You can build a Norman archway, dress as an Iron Age Briton, steering a Roman chariot or firing a replica ballista at the east wall. Tours, led by expert guides, are offered daily and can take you down into the Roman vaults and up to the Castle roof. 
• Colchester – Layer Marney Tower – With nearly 500 years of history, Layer Marney Tower is a grade 1 building. Explore the Gatehouse and Church, wander the gardens and grounds. There are a few animals on the farm and a play area. They also have a tea room.
• Colchester – Paycocke’s House and Garden – A 16th-century Tudor merchant’s house with elaborate panelled rooms and woodcarving with a tea room, gardens and book shop.
• Harwich Redoubt Fort – Harwich Redoubt was built in the 1800’s to defend Harwich and Essex from a Napoleonic invasion. The Grade II, circular fort has commanding views across the harbour and estuary.  Part of the fort is now used as a military museum and battle re-enactments and other events are held during the summer months.
• Halstead – Hedingham Castle – A Norman Castle that stands in the heart of its ancient ramparts and medieval parkland, which have evolved into beautiful landscaped gardens, spanning 900 years of history.
• Ingatestone Hall – The house was built in the 1500’s and has been passed through fifteen generations of the Petre Family. The house is still occupied by the family until this day. Situated in the countryside just 1 mile from Ingatestone in Essex and surrounded by ten acres of enclosed gardens to explore. Read my review of Ingatestone Hall.
• Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker – A large underground bunker maintained during the Cold War as a potential regional government headquarters.
• Saffron Walden – Audley End House and Gardens – Exploring the servant’s wing, state rooms, stables, kitchen garden or beautiful grounds, you’ll discover what life was like above and below stairs at a Victorian country house. Plenty for families to do, with a playground, working stables, hands-on fun in the Victorian nursery and action-packed special events.

Unusual

• Brentwood – King George’s Playing Fields – TAGactive facility, a soft play area and cafe, along with outdoor splash pad and adventure playground.
• Chelmsford – Ninja Warrior UK – Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park inspired by the TV show. Test your Ninja skills while climbing, balancing and swinging across obstacles or bouncing across our inflatable, climbing the Warped Wall and Mount Sasuke to clamber up.
• Chelmsford – Sharp Shooter – Multi-Target BB Shooting Alley.
• Earls Colne Airbase Air Ambulance Headquarters Tour – Take a tour of the base. Immerse yourself in the exciting 999 Experience, you might want to put on a helmet and sit in the pilot’s seat! Listen to interesting facts and a wealth of background and operational information provided by our volunteer tour hosts. You might even see the helicopter take off or land.
• Harlow – Scratch 8 – Simulation Centre with golf bays, Augmented Darts, Table Tennis, Football, Shuffleboard and Car & Plane simulators.
• Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker – A large underground bunker maintained during the Cold War as a potential regional government headquarters.
• Rayleigh Windmill – Rayleigh Windmill is a 200 year old Grade II listed building where you can learn how the Windmill worked, climb to the top, try the quiz in the museum, dress up in traditional costumes.
• North Weald Airbase Air Ambulance Headquarters Tour – Take a tour of the base. Immerse yourself in the exciting 999 Experience, you might want to put on a helmet and sit in the pilot’s seat! Listen to interesting facts and a wealth of background and operational information provided by our volunteer tour hosts. You might even see the helicopter take off or land.

Ice Skating 

• Chelmsford – Riverside Leisure Centre – The ice rink at Riverside Leisure Centre offers a variety of ice skating sessions suitable for everyone. You can enjoy public skate sessions, club nights and family sessions.
• Romford Ice Rink – A full-sized ice rink that is open to the public and home of their Ice Hockey Team.

Roller skating

• Colchester – DX’s Roller World – Roller Skating Event Days
• Maldon – Madison Heights – Giant Children’s Soft Play Centre, Full sized Indoor Roller Skating Rink, 12 Lanes of Vegas Themed Ten-Pin Bowling, café, bar and restaurant, Arcade centre with classic games, 5 full sized pool tables and Fully licensed bar.
• Rochford – Rolla City – Offering open skate sessions, Under 18’s, Adult Skate sessions with party time and a bar.

Pottery Painting

Pottery Painting venues in Essex:

• Basildon – The Craft Shed – Pottery Painting plus other crafts classes and sessions, from crochet to felt flowers, glass fusing, Quilling, etc.
• Billericay – Peacock Pottery Barn – Painting pottery, pottery wheel and clay hand building.
• Bishops Stortford – The Craft Cabin – Pottery Painting, Decopatch, Foam Clay, T Shirt Designing, Jewellery Making.
• Bishops Stortford – The Little Arts Workshop – Pottery Painting, clay modelling.
• Colchester – Blue Owl – Pottery Painting and clay hand building.
• Colchester – Pink Parrot – Pottery Painting
• Halstead – Essex Pottery Studio – Painting pottery, pottery wheel and clay hand building.
• Hornchurch – The Pink Parachute – Pottery Painting.
• Leigh-on-Sea – Create98 – Pottery Painting, Craft classes and workshops from Paper crafts, drawing and painting, fabric and textiles, floristry, jewellery and mosaic, etc
• Ongar – The Potty Painting Studio – Pottery Painting
• Rayleigh – The Clay Cottage – Pottery Painting, clay hand building and potters wheel.
• Southend – Revelation Art inside Scotts of Southend Garden Centre – Pottery Painting, sand art, messy play.
• Witham – Crafty Bear Kitchen – Pottery Painting cafe and tearoom,

Arts and Crafts Classes

• Basildon – The Craft Shed – Pottery Painting plus other crafts classes and sessions, from crochet to felt flowers, glass fusing, Quilling, etc.
• Bishops Stortford – The Craft Cabin – Pottery Painting, Decopatch, Foam Clay, T Shirt Designing, Jewellery Making.
• Leigh-on-Sea – Create98 – Pottery Painting, Craft classes and workshops from Paper crafts, drawing and painting, fabric and textiles, floristry, jewellery and mosaic, etc.

Animal experiences

• Chelmsford, Howe Green – Eden Oasis Animal Experiences – They offer Animal Discovery Sessions, run in small group, where you can spend an hour meeting and handling 8 of their amazing animals. Big event discoveries (Easter/Halloween) last 90 minutes and include arts and crafts and themed activities. Discovery Sessions run every school holiday and Toddler sessions run each week.
• South Woodham Ferrers – Animalistic Encounters – They offer visits to see their animals, an hour long experience starts with a tour of the site and the ability to see all of the indoor animals, followed by the chance to get up close and personal with 3 of your choice.

Climbing Walls

A great activity to enjoy in Essex, a climbing wall means you can get active whilst having lost of fun. Here are the climbing walls to try in Essex:

• Basildon Sporting Village – Rock Hub is base inside Basildon Sporting Village which offers a fantastic array of facilities including climbing walls. They offer a climbing wall with 16 lines of 10 metres high climbing, two auto belays and a bouldering and training area.
• Braintree – Namco Funscape – Bowling, soft play, arcade games, pool, Clip ‘n Climb Climbing Walls and Cafe.
• Chelmsford – AirHop Adventure Park – Adventure Trampoline Park, Climbing Walls, Air Slides, Dodgeball, Slam Dunk Basketball.
• Colchester Climbing Project – Essex’s only dedicated bouldering centre. Bouldering is a type of rock climbing where there are no ropes, instead there is 30cm of matting surrounding the climbing area to make landings safer and more comfortable.
• Harlow – The Lock Climbing Wall – Essex’s largest Indoor Climbing Centre. Whether you are a seasoned climber or a newcomer looking to try the sport, The Lock Climbing Wall in Harlow provides great climbing experiences for all ages and abilities.
• Harlow – Vertigo – 19 Climbing Walls, Swimming, Trampoline Park, Soft Play Centre and Cafe.
• Lakeside – Rock Up – Climbing for all ages with walls towering over 8m in height and over 70 challenges to get stuck into, there are new ways to climb every time you visit. Novice to expert.
• Rayleigh – Oxygen Activeplay – Trampoline Park, with Dodgeball, Slam Dunk Basketball and Giant Airbags, Climbing Walls, Interactive Sports Pitch, Soft Play Area for under 5s and Cafe.
• Romford – Oxygen Activeplay – Trampoline Park, with Dodgeball, Ninja Course and Giant Airbags, Climbing Walls, Soft Play Area for under 5s and Cafe.
• Romford Rock and Boulder – A small and mighty independent gym in the heart of Romford with a homely vibe like no other. Banging blocs, incredible brownies and immaculate vibes.
• Southend – Indirock – Indirock is a bouldering wall and coffee shop inside The Victoria Centre on Southend-on-Sea high street, Essex.

Karaoke

Looking for a fun indoor activity in Essex, what about a Karaoke booth, fine one near you:

• Basildon – Mulligans – Two Adventure Golf Courses, Electro-Darts, Pool, Shuffle Board, Karaoke Room, Bar and a Restaurant.
• Chelmsford Boom Battle Bar – Crazier 9-hole Golf Course, American Pool, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Ping Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Colchester – Tenpin – 20 Bowling Lanes, Laser Tag, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Colchester – No Name Bar and Games – Crazy Golf, Reality Darts, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Golf Simulator, Pool Tables, Beer Pong, Axe Throwing, Karaoke, Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Harlow – Tenpin – Bowling Lanes, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Lakeside – Boom Battle Bar – American Pool, Augmented Reality Darts, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Southend – Kingpins Bowl – Bowling, Augmented Darts, Shuffleboard, Pool and Augmented Reality Air Hockey, Arcade, Karaoke, Bar and Restaurant.

Pool & Snooker

• Basildon – Hollywood Bowl – With 26 bowling lanes, VIP Lanes, Arcade, Diner, Pool Tables and Bar.
• Basildon – Mulligans – Two Adventure Golf Courses, Electro-Darts, Pool, Shuffle Board, Karaoke Room, Bar and a Restaurant.
• Billericay – Players Lounge – Pool Tables, Indoor 5-a-side Football Pitch, Interactive Golf, Computer Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Chelmsford Boom Battle Bar – Crazier 9-hole Golf Course, American Pool, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Ping Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Chelmsford – City Bowl & Snooker Club – Bowling Lanes, 11 Championship Snooker Tables, 6 English Pool Tables, Bowling Leagues, Bar and Restaurant.
• Colchester – No Name Bar and Games – Crazy Golf, Reality Darts, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Golf Simulator, Pool Tables, Beer Pong, Axe Throwing, Karaoke, Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Colchester – Tenpin – 20 Bowling Lanes, Laser Tag, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Harlow – Tenpin – Bowling Lanes, Karaoke and Pool, Arcades, Air Hockey, Bar and Restaurant.
• Harlow – Q Entertainment – Ultraviolet Crazy Golf Course with glow in the dark course, balls and clubs. They also have indoor Quasar Arena, Escape Rooms, Gamers Cage, Axe Throwing, Virtual Reality, bar, cafe, Pool and Arcade games.
• Hockley – CJ’s Bowling – Bowling, Pool, Snooker, Augmented Reality Darts, Bar/Café, Arcades and Pro Shop.
• Lakeside – Boom Battle Bar – American Pool, Augmented Reality Darts, Axe Throwing, Beer/Prosecco Pong, Shuffleboard, Karaoke, Bar and Food.
• Lakeside – Hollywood Bowl – With 24 bowling lanes, VIP Lanes, Arcade, Diner, Pool Tables and Bar.
• Maldon – Madison Heights – Giant Children’s Soft Play Centre, Full sized Indoor Roller Skating Rink, 12 Lanes of Vegas Themed Ten-Pin Bowling, café, bar and restaurant, Arcade centre with classic games, 5 full sized pool tables and Fully licensed bar.
• Romford – Namco Funscape – Pool, Bowling and Arcades.
• Romford – Rollerbowl – Bowling, Pool, Air Hockey, Arcades Amusement Area, Diner and Bar.
• Southend – Caddies – Home to two 9-hole CRAZIER Mini Golf courses, AMAZEBALLS illuminated Ball Pit, Pool, Air Hockey, Shuffleboard, Battle Bumper Cars, Quirky Cocktails, Snacks and Comedy Club.
• Southend – Kingpins Bowl – Bowling, Augmented Darts, Shuffleboard, Pool and Augmented Reality Air Hockey, Arcade, Karaoke, Bar and Restaurant.

Sports

• Billericay – Players Lounge – Pool Tables, Indoor 5-a-side Football Pitch, Interactive Golf, Computer Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Chigwell – Top Golf –  High-tech golf game that everyone can enjoy. With food and drink, climate-controlled hitting bays and music.
• Colchester – No Name Bar and Games – Crazy Golf, Reality Darts, Table Tennis, Shuffleboard, Golf Simulator, Pool Tables, Beer Pong, Axe Throwing, Karaoke, Gaming, Bar and Food.
• Harlow – Scratch 8 – Simulation Centre with golf bays, Augmented Darts, Table Tennis, Football, Shuffleboard and Car & Plane simulators.
• Leigh on Sea – Golf In Progress – Indoor Golf Academy with 5 FlightScope simulator bays and a large putting green.
• Southend – Bunker 19 – Simulation golf and entertainment centre, Augmented Darts, food and drink.

I hope this gives you lots of ideas for indoor activities in Essex when it is raining…. of course they all make great days out in Essex whether the weather is good or bad!! Enjoy your weekends and half term breaks with the family. Why not turn your day out into a mini break in Essex.

Thank you for reading ‘Indoor activities in Essex for rainy days’