THE ballot is now open to win thousands of free tickets to the county's top attractions.

The first ever Essex Big Weekend takes place on April 1 and 2 and encourages residents to discover tourist attractions in their own county.

Among the attractions which are taking part in the Visit Essex event are Colchester Zoo, Colchester Castle, Lifehouse Spa, the Harwich Mayflower, Beth Chatto Gardens and Hedingham Castle.

Residents can apply for as many tickets to as many attractions as they wish until March 17.

Two tickets per household - although some family tickets will be available - will then be allocated to the lucky winners.

To enter the ballot, click HERE.

Residents can also share their experiences on social media using #essexbigweekend.

Attractions taking part include

  • 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