We know that the search for affordable things to do in Essex with kids this summer and beyond is always a parent-challenge fraught with overwhelm, so we’ve put together this handy guide rounding up all the family-fun happening at Hopefield during the coming months.
✨ Fairground Rides*
✨ Crazy Legs children’s entertainer*
✨ Hands-on crafting for kids
✨ Talented singers and musicians including The Ed Sheeran Illusion*
✨ Soft Play Bus*
✨ Pony Cycles*
✨ BBQ and Bar
✨ Sanctuary Trail*
*included in admission fees
✨ Hop aboard our Soft Play Bus for hours of fun
✨ Meet your favourite stars at our Character Meet & Greets
✨ Enjoy Animal Talks & Feeds led by our friendly team
✨ Come face-to-face with our incredible rescued animals and creepy crawlies
✨ Kids Eat FREE between 27th May – 1st June – making your family day out even more affordable!
The biggest vegan event in Brentwood is back for its fourth year! We’ll be joined by some amazing stalls including jewellers, animal welfare charities, cosmetics, INCREDIBLE street food, and SO much more! We’ll also have an array of live performances, guest speakers and workshops, plus the kids can keep busy with inflatables and a soft play bus!
We’re celebrating all things Dad – and Grandad – by offering them FREE admission on Father’s Day. There will be plenty to see and do here at the sanctuary, and we’ll be firing up the BBQ, opening the bar, popping up the inflatables, flinging open the doors on the soft play bus and plenty more to help Dad have the best day. Don’t forget to look for our own Hopefield Dads here at the sanctuary including our new horse, Tommy, who is dad to Mary & Patsy, another two of our newer residents.
Learn to save your dog’s life at this pawsome, four-hour course where topics will include:
✨ What is Dog First Aid?
✨ How to be legally compliant
✨ First Aid Equipment
✨ Dog Assessment
✨ DRSABC
✨ Primary and Secondary Surveys
✨ Vital Signs
✨ Canine CPR (Demo and Practical)
✨ Seizures
✨ Bleeding and Bandaging
✨ Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
✨ Canine shock
✨ Water Inhalation
✨ Burns & scalds
✨ Toxicity
✨ Heat stroke
✨ Choking
✨ Fractures
The course is £58 per person, including your handbook, Certified Dog First Aid Card, and a certificate valid for 3 years upon successful completion. Spaces are limited so book quickly to avoid disappointment! Please DO NOT bring your dogs with you to this event (but why not book them into our on-site groomers for a pampering, Brentwood Bubbles ‘N’ Barks?)
We’re bringing the spirit of country & western to Hopefield. Whether you’re a country music fan, a dancing queen, or just looking for a fun day out, y’all won’t want to miss this, so grab your boots and join in the fun!
✨ Live country & western musicians and singers including Miley Cyrus and Morgan Wallen tribute acts!*
✨ Learn line dancing moves with The Country Cafe*
✨ Mechanical rodeo bulls for children and adults!*
✨ Traditional fun fair rides*
✨ Carnival games
✨ Bouncy castles*
✨ Arts & crafts
✨ Soft play for little ones*
✨ Ride the pony cycles like a cowboy/girl*
✨ Delicious BBQ
✨ Saddle Up Bar
Yeehaw!
We’ve also got more events lined up for the rest of the summer, and a full summer holiday programme running, more on which we will update on soon, so keep your eyes peeled. We can’t wait to welcome you all down this summer – every penny we raise by you picking us to be at the top of your ‘things to do with kids in Essex’ list goes directly back into our life-saving work here at Hopefield. The animals you will see and meet here have all come from abandoned, unwanted, neglect or re-home situations, many of who we were the last hope for. We’ve been able to give them all a forever home at the sanctuary because of YOU, for which we’re endlessly thankful.
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