FREE tickets are up for grabs for some of the biggest tourist attractions in Essex.

Essex will host its first ever Big Weekend on April 1 and 2 when hundreds of residents will be able to visit dozens of tourist attractions for free.

Organised by Visit Essex, the Essex Big Weekend is designed to encourage residents to rediscover the amazing things to see and do in their home county - and to then spread the word about them.

Residents can bid for available tickets to as many attractions as they wish from February 16 – March 17 HERE.

Two tickets per household will be allocated by ballot to the lucky winners. Some family tickets will be available as well.

Dozens of attractions have already donated free tickets for the fun-filled weekend, and activities include family days out, adrenaline fuelled experiences and tours.

Visit Essex tourism marketing and PR manager Carol Jolly said: “We are thrilled with the initial response to the first ever ‘Essex Big Weekend’ from local businesses – dozens have signed up so far, and we hope more will follow."

Which attractions are taking part?

  • Mayflower 400 Tours, Harwich
  • 360 Play Basildon
  • Rope Runners Brentwood
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Barleylands Farm & Craft Village
  • East Anglian Railway Museum
  • Saffron Walden Tourist Information centre
  • Epping Ongar Railway
  • Chelmsford racecourse
  • Old MacDonald’s Farm
  • Hedingham Castle
  • Marks Hall Gardens & Arboretum
  • Warners Textile Archive
  • Crazy Golf at Waldegrave’s  Mersea Island
  • Fishing Waldegrave’s Mersea Island
  • FootGolf at Waldegrave’s Mersea Island
  • One hour tour of Mundon St Mary’s Church
  • Friary Walled Garden
  • The Munnings Art Museum
  • Redwings Horse Sanctuary
  • New Hall Vineyards
  • Wivenhoe House Hotel
  • Rye-Assic Adventure Park
  • Rye House 9-hole Crazy Golf
  • Rye House Laser Combat
  • RHS Garden Hyde Hall
  • Rye House Karting
  • Braintree District Museum
  • Colchester Zoo
  • Colchester Castle
  • Splash Park, Promenade Park Maldon
  • St Lawrence Inn
  • Promenade Park Beach Huts Maldon
  • Pirate’s Bay adventure Golf
  • Brentwood Theatre
  • Audley End House & Gardens
  • Tilbury Fort
  • Genting Club Southend
  • The Tall Green House
  • Naze Tower
  • WildForestGym
  • Lifehouse Hotel and Spa
  • Stow Maries WWI aerodrome