The school holidays sorted - everything in one place
Finding things to do in Colchester during the school holidays that actually keep everyone happy is harder than it sounds. Too young for one thing, too old for another, and nothing for the grown-ups in between. Lexden Wood Golf Club on Bakers Lane has been solving exactly that problem for years - a full site of activities that works for toddlers, under-10s, teenagers and parents all at the same time, without anyone being bored or having to wait around.
Whether you are looking for things to do in Colchester in the summer holidays, October half term, February half term or the Easter holidays, the site is open all year round with a wide range of activities available every day.
Summer Holiday Deal 2026
Three activities in one great-value package, per person:
- Classic pizza from the restaurant
- Fossil Falls mini golf or footgolf (your choice)
- 50 range balls at the hitting bay
Summer holidays 2026. Booking in advance recommended - contact the club to reserve your slot.
Kids Holiday Camps in Colchester
Lexden Wood runs holiday camps for children during the school holidays - a structured, active day out that gives kids something brilliant to do and parents a breather. Camps are run on site making use of the full range of facilities: the course, the range, footgolf, Fossil Falls and the restaurant.
- Supervised, activity-based days for children
- On-site facilities including range, course, mini golf and footgolf
- Suitable for beginners and those who have played before
- Available across summer, October half term and Easter holidays
- Limited spaces - book early to avoid disappointment
Contact the club for the current holiday camp schedule, age groups and pricing.
Enquire About CampsActivities for kids during the school holidays
Here is the full rundown of what is available on site. Every activity is open to non-members and visitors.
Fossil Falls Dinosaur Mini Golf
18 holes of dinosaur-themed mini golf with life-size dinosaurs, cascading waterfalls and prehistoric obstacles. Brilliant for ages 4 and up - no booking needed, just turn up and pay on arrival. One of the best days out for kids in Colchester.
Mini golf details →Footgolf
A 9-hole dedicated footgolf course - golf played with a football. Kick the ball, count your shots, get it in the hole. An absolute hit with football-mad kids and a great way to get older children and teenagers engaged.
Footgolf details →Hitting Range Balls
The 24-bay Trackman driving range is a genuinely brilliant activity for all ages - even if you have never played golf. Grab a bucket of 50 balls, pick up a club and have a go. Clubs available to borrow, team happy to show beginners the basics.
Driving range details →Toddler Play Area
A dedicated play area for the youngest children in the group. The little ones are happy and entertained while older siblings and parents get on with other activities nearby.
Yoga Classes
Summer yoga sessions in a parkland setting. A brilliant option for parents wanting something mindful while the kids are busy, or for older children and teenagers who want to try something different during the holidays.
Enhance Gym Classes
Enhance Performance, the on-site gym at Lexden Wood, runs a full programme of group fitness classes throughout the school holidays. HIIT, strength and conditioning, and more - all expertly led and open to drop-ins.
Enhance Performance →Golf on the Course
The 18-hole USPGA-specification parkland course is open to visitors year-round. Older children who want to try a proper round, or visitors who fancy a full game while younger family members do other activities on site.
Course details →Restaurant, Kids Menu & Ice Cream
After hours of activity, everyone needs feeding. The Lexden Wood restaurant is on site and open throughout the school holidays. There is a dedicated kids menu for the younger ones, a full adult menu, proper pizzas, and ice cream to finish. You can eat before the activities, after, or anywhere in the middle - the kitchen is available all day.
The restaurant overlooks the scenic driving range so even the meal is part of the experience. Order your pizzas when you arrive and they will be ready when you come back in - no waiting around with hungry kids.
View the restaurant →Planning a kids party in Colchester?
If you are organising a birthday during the school holidays, Lexden Wood offers all-inclusive kids party packages from £18 per child. Packages include exclusive use of a private party room, fresh pizzas, squash drinks, tables and seating - and the choice of Fossil Falls dinosaur mini golf or footgolf as the main activity.
- From £18 per child, minimum 10 children
- Choose between Fossil Falls mini golf or footgolf
- Private party room overlooking the driving range
- Fresh pizzas and squash included
- Dietary options available with advance notice
- Free on-site parking for parents and guests
- Upgrade available for larger parties
Why Lexden Wood works for multi-family groups
Coordinating a day out with more than one family during the school holidays is its own challenge. You need enough space, enough variety, and somewhere everyone can do something at the same time without the group fragmenting across three different car parks in three different parts of Colchester.
At Lexden Wood the whole group arrives together and splits naturally. Toddlers go to the play area. The 8-12s head straight to Fossil Falls. The teenagers take on footgolf and settle the argument about who is better with their feet. Mum drops into a yoga class. Dad hits range balls or joins an Enhance session. Everyone ends up at the same table for pizza and ice cream. That is a proper day out.
The club does not operate like a theme park - there are no queues, no wristbands, no upsell at every corner. It is a real, working golf club with a genuine community feel and the full range of activities sitting alongside it.
School holiday activities near you - villages and towns we are easy to reach from
Lexden Wood is on Bakers Lane, Colchester, CO3 4AU. Free parking on site, just a few minutes from the town centre and easy to reach from across north Essex during the school holidays:
- Stanway, Lexden, Old Heath and West Colchester - 5 minutes
- West Bergholt, Great Horkesley and Eight Ash Green - 10 minutes
- Wivenhoe, Rowhedge and the Tendring villages - 15 minutes
- Mersea Island, Tiptree and Kelvedon - 20 minutes
- Witham, Braintree and Halstead - 30 minutes
Open all year round. No pre-booking required for mini golf and footgolf, though booking in advance is recommended for the summer deal, kids camps and party packages.
Tips for a great school holiday visit
- Book kids camps and the summer deal early - spaces fill up fast in the main summer holidays, particularly in August
- Mini golf is pay and play - just turn up, no booking needed (groups of 8 or more please WhatsApp ahead)
- Order food on arrival - the kitchen will have it ready when you come back in, so no one is waiting hungry
- Check Enhance class times when you book - the schedule varies across each holiday period
- Trainers are fine for all activities except a full round on the 18-hole course
- Bring suncream in summer - the range and footgolf course are open air with limited shade
- Save room for ice cream - it would be wrong not to
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be a member to bring my kids?
No. All activities - mini golf, footgolf, the range, the toddler play area and the restaurant - are open to non-members. Enhance gym classes and yoga are also open to drop-in visitors.
What age is Fossil Falls mini golf suitable for?
From around 4 years old upwards. The 18-hole course is manageable for young children and engaging enough for teenagers and adults. Life-size dinosaurs make it genuinely exciting for younger kids.
Are kids holiday camps available at every half term?
Camps run across the main school holiday periods - summer, October half term and Easter. Contact the club to get the current schedule, available dates and pricing for the holiday period you are planning for.
Is there a kids menu in the restaurant?
Yes. The restaurant has a dedicated kids menu available throughout the school holidays, plus ice cream.
How long should we plan for a visit?
Allow two to three hours for the summer deal package (pizza, mini golf or footgolf, range balls). Add a gym or yoga class and you can comfortably fill a whole morning or afternoon. Kids camps are structured full or half days - check with the club for timings.
Is there parking?
Yes, free parking on site for all visitors.
Can we do a kids party during the school holidays?
Yes. Kids parties run throughout the year including during the school holidays. Packages start from £18 per child. Enquire early as holiday weekends book up.
Book your school holiday visit
Get in touch to reserve the summer deal, enquire about holiday camps or ask about a kids party. We will confirm availability and have everything ready when you arrive.