Brentwood
Things to do in Brentwood, Essex
Brentwood works well as a base for families exploring Essex. The town sits within reach of several country parks—Weald Country Park and Thorndon Country Park both rate highly—and has attractions geared towards younger visitors, including Old MacDonalds Farm & Fun Park (rated 4.5 from over 7,500 reviews) and Hopefield Animal Sanctuary (rated 4.7 from around 1,150 reviews). For something more active, there is Brentwood Karting. The playing fields and parks suggest decent space for walking and outdoor time.
A curiosity in the listings is Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker (rated 4.6 from around 1,700 reviews), which sits just outside the town and appears as both attraction and restaurant. It pulls in visitors with something between a museum and unusual dining experience. Overall, Brentwood reads as an accessible Essex town with enough going on to keep families occupied without demanding a longer journey elsewhere.
Where to stay in Brentwood(6)
All hotels in Brentwood →About staying in Brentwood
Accommodation options include a cluster of mid-range hotels near the M25 junction, several guest houses, self-catering cottages for those wanting more independence, and a campsite. The hotels—Holiday Inn, Premier Inn, De Rougemont Manor, and Marygreen Manor—all sit comfortably in the 4.0 to 4.3 rating band. The town has enough restaurants and cafés to eat without leaving, ranging from chains like Costa to independent options: Alec's Restaurant and Kervan Kitchen both rate 4.7, while the Brentwood Karting Centre doubles as a café.
Brentwood Guest House
75-77 Rose Valley, Brentwood
De Rougemont Manor Hotel & Suites
Great Warley Street, Brentwood
Holiday Inn Brentwood M25 Jct 28
Brook Street, Brentwood
Marygreen Manor Hotel
London Road, Brentwood
Premier Inn Brentwood
Brentwood House, Brentwood
The Kilns Hotel
Warley Street, Brentwood
Things to Do in Brentwood(11)
All attractions in Brentwood →
Where to Eat in Brentwood(13)
All restaurants in Brentwood →
Attractions Near Brentwood
All attractions in Brentwood →Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Brentwood.
4 mi
Kelvedon Hatch Nuclear Bunker
Kelvedon Hatch · ⭐ 4.6
4 mi
Oxygen Activeplay Romford
Romford · ⭐ 4.2
5 mi
Bedfords Park Visitor Centre
Havering-Atte-Bower · ⭐ 4.6
5 mi
The Cater Museum
Billericay · ⭐ 4.9
5 mi
Barnards Miniature Railway
West Horndon · ⭐ 4.8
5 mi
Thames Chase Forest Centre
Upminster · ⭐ 4.4
6 mi
Epping Ongar Railway
Epping · ⭐ 4.6
6 mi
Kiddiewinks Soft Play
Bromford · ⭐ 4.1
Camping in Brentwood(1)
All campsites in Brentwood →
Self-Catering Cottages in Brentwood(6)
All cottages in Brentwood →
Common questions about Brentwood
How many campsites are there in Brentwood?
We list 1 campsites in and around Brentwood, of which 1 take tents.
How many holiday cottages are there in Brentwood?
We list 6 self-catering cottages in and around Brentwood.
Are there large holiday cottages in Brentwood for groups?
Yes — the largest cottage we list in Brentwood sleeps 19.
Where can I stay in Brentwood?
We list 6 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Brentwood.
What is there to do in Brentwood?
We list 11 attractions and things to do in and around Brentwood.
Where can I eat in Brentwood?
We list 13 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Brentwood.
Staycation ideas for Brentwood
The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations
Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.
Rainy Day Staycations: Best UK Breaks for Bad Weather
When the forecast turns grim, these UK cities and spa towns keep their appeal indoors, with museums, galleries and grand architecture to fill a wet weekend.
The Best Dog-Friendly Staycations in Britain
From Cornish coast paths to Lake District fells, these six British destinations offer the open beaches, moors and forests that make a staycation genuinely enjoyable for dogs and their owners alike.
The Best UK Staycations for Families with Young Kids
From New Forest ponies to Cornish rock pools, these six UK destinations combine easy logistics, safe beaches and family-friendly attractions for a stress-free break with young children.