What to do in Grays

Activities, attractions and tours

New Resturant Lakeside Waterfront Grays Essex
New Resturant Lakeside Waterfront Grays Essex
St Giles & All Saints church, Orsett
Photo by Dave Kelly (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Mary the Virgin, North Stifford
Photo by John Salmon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
St Mary the Virgin, North Stifford
Photo by John Salmon (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Grays Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Grays has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Grays is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Grays to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Grays Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Grays.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Grays attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Top places to visit

1. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of London’s largest and most well-known parks. The park connects with Kensington Gardens and the two combined cover 630 acres (253 hectares). Together they form the centrepiece of a network of parks known as “London’s Green Lung.” Once the private hunting grounds of King Henry VIII, today the park is filled with heritage sites, monuments and events to attend all year-round.
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Hyde Park featuring a garden, a river or creek and watersports

2. Big Ben

Catch a glimpse of Big Ben across the River Thames and you’ll know you have truly arrived in London. Featured in British films, such as “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Notting Hill” and “Love Actually,” Big Ben is best viewed from the Thames’ east bank or while strolling along Westminster Bridge, on route to see the Houses of Parliament.
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Big Ben showing a city, heritage architecture and a monument

3. O2 Arena

O2 Arena was originally called the Millennium Dome. It was created to celebrate the beginning of the new millennium. Completed in 1999, The Dome initially housed the Millennium Experience, an exhibition consisting of exhibits, shows and entertainment honoring humankind’s achievements. The Dome’s vast interior has since been remodeled and today is one of London’s premier entertainment destinations.
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O2 Arena which includes a river or creek and modern architecture

4. Tower Bridge

For London locals, Tower Bridge is a vital part of the city’s infrastructure, ushering 40,000 vehicles safely across the Thames daily. However, for many visitors, the sight of the dual Gothic towers rising above the skyline is a must-see.
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Tower Bridge showing a monument, a bridge and heritage architecture

5. London Bridge

London Bridge is easily one of the most famously named bridges in the world, and the site of the oldest recorded crossing of the River Thames. Walk across the landmark structure, enjoy gorgeous river views and pick up insights into the bridge’s history in its underground vaults.
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The view across London Bridge showing the walkie talkie (voted the ugliest building in the UK) the gherkin and the razor.

6. Buckingham Palace

The official home of British royalty since 1837, Buckingham Palace is the epicenter of Britain’s constitutional monarchy. It’s walls have witnessed innumerable state decrees, lavish banquets and foreign dignitary receptions.
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Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London

Recommended things to do in Grays

Number of things to do
12
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Grays: Nickelodeon Adventure Lakeside Entry Ticket: CA $14
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Grays

Discover the most popular places to visit in Grays

New Resturant Lakeside Waterfront Grays Essex

Lakeside Shopping Centre

You can find the perfect gifts to bring home at Lakeside Shopping Centre during your visit to West Thurrock. Stroll along the area's marina, or simply savor its lively bars.

Lakeside Shopping Centre

Arena Essex Raceway

Catch an event at Arena Essex Raceway, and enjoy other activities in West Thurrock such as sailing. Make time to visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its lively bars.

Arena Essex Raceway

Lakeside Karting

Enjoy a trip to Lakeside Karting and popular activities like sailing in Grays. Stroll along the area's marina, or simply savor its lively bars.

Lakeside Karting

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Grays

The River Thames leading towards The Queen Elizabeth II bridge, early morning, near Dartford, Suf

Purfleet

A marina of old boats and shacks just outside Greenhythe in Kent, a great place to wander. and take in the atmosphere.

Greenhithe

Looking south from High Speed 1 at the Thames estuary.
Photo by Mattbuck (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

South Ockendon

A Very Different Mucking Creek
Photo by Lee Garton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Stanford-le-Hope

Bulphan Parish Church, Bulphan, Essex.
Photo by John Winfield (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Bulphan

Cranham Marsh, Cranham, Havering, London

Upminster

A marina of old boats and shacks just outside Greenhythe in Kent, a great place to wander. and take in the atmosphere.

Swanscombe

Frequently asked questions

Is Grays worth visiting?
Grays offers an interesting mix of attractions, culture and local charm. Whether you're into nature, history or regional cuisine, there's a lot you'll find here.
How do I spend a day in Grays?
When you've checked off top attractions like Festival Leisure Park and Hollywood Bowl Basildon, spend the rest of your day experiencing Grays's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Grays?
Don't go home without exploring Festival Leisure Park, rated the top tourist attraction in Grays.
Is three days enough to stay in Grays?
You can easily enjoy leading attractions like Orchard Theatre, FA Premier League Hall of Fame and The Backstage Centre with a three-day trip to Grays. On average, many travellers book two days here. There's plenty to do and see nearby too, so stick around longer and head to London.
Is Grays a walkable city?
It depends on what you want to do and see in Grays. Several key sights, including Mardyke Valley Golf Club and Lakeside Shopping Centre, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a wander through some of Grays's neighbourhoods, Thurrock is 2 kilometres away from downtown, while West Thurrock is 3 kilometres away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Grays with kids?
Planning what to do in Grays with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're vacationing with toddlers or teenagers, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep everyone happy here.

What to do in Grays for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or outdoor explorer, there are lots of things to do in Grays for adults including Meopham Valley Vineyard and Pegasus Country Club.
Are there free things to do in Grays?
One of the easiest ways to learn about free things to do in Grays is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider recommendations on hip neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can enjoy without getting your cash out. FA Premier League Hall of Fame is one sight that doesn't have an entrance fee.