Cafe and Farm Shop with Outdoor Play Area - The Blue Egg (an Essex Hidden Gem!)

Here at Parks of Essex we love a family friendly cafe and coffee shop, especially when there are great play areas to keep little ones entertained! It seems that you guys are looking for the perfect mix of GOOD coffee and good play areas too. Our guide to Parks and Playgrounds with Cafes and Coffee Shops is one of our most popular posts. Parks of Essex has discovered an Essex hidden gem that we couldn't possibly gate keep any longer. Discover The Blue Egg!

The Blue Egg can be found in the charming village of Great Bardfield in the Essex countryside.

At the Blue Egg is a farm shop which sells lovely gifts, cards, produce and seasonal decor. Whilst the Blue Egg has been around for over 20 years, it is this summer that they have really invested in their play area - The Play Paddock! The Play Paddock is an outdoor play area, which has a play park, large sandpit, mud kitchen and construction area.

The wooden play park at the Play Paddock has a large climbing frame with climbing wall, rope climb, slide and seating area underneath. There is also a smaller climbing frame suitable for toddlers. There are swings, including baby swings. There are also balancing mushrooms and interactive boards. The large sandpit is behind the play park area. There are several beach toys to play with in the sandpit. On the other side of the sandpit is the mud kitchen with wooden play house and construction area with toy bricks and building equipment. There are several benches around the play areas. Entry to the Play Paddock is £4.99. Entry to the Play Paddock is included in the price of the tickets for the Mini Rovers and Halloween Events!

Mini Rovers

As well as the Play Paddock, there is also the option to enjoy Mini Rovers! Mini Rovers is suitable for children aged 4–11 years. Under 4s can ride as passengers (or have one of the team drive them). This Autumn children can enjoy the Spooky Pumpkin Pick-Up Drive at The Play Paddock! Children can hop into a Mini Rover and set off on the Halloween-themed track. Pick your perfect pumpkin and then Drive back through the haunted track and head to a Carving Station. All carving tools and clean up is provided! Tickets for Mini Rovers Pumpkin Pick Up, Halloween trail and all day entry to the Play Paddock is £9.99.

Halloween Events at the Blue Egg

The Blue Egg offers season and school holiday events for children. This Autumns offerings include Pumpkin Pick-Up Drive, Spooky Slime Day, Spooky Science, Spooktacular Halloween Biscuit Decorating, Witch and Wizard Wand Making Day, Pot Bubbling Potion Day, Monstrous Magic Day, Broomstick Obstacle Course Day.

Food and Drink at the Blue Egg

And the best bit - next to the Play Paddock there is a converted horsebox which serves freshly brewed coffee, teas, hot chocolate (did I mention Nutella hot chocolate!) and iced drinks. Plant based milks and decaf options are available. For kids there are babycinos, milk, pip smoothies and local ice cream.

On Sundays and at other special events there are also visiting food trucks! Favourites include pizza, bagels, barbecue, Mexican street food, Asian street food and more tasty vendors. Check out the food truck schedule via The Blue Egg website.