Parks and Playgrounds with Cafes - Family Friendly Cafes in Essex
- Essex Parks
- May 28
- 14 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Are you looking for a fun day out with the family that combines outdoor play and delicious food? Finding the right spot can be tricky, but Essex has plenty to offer. The popular Parks of Essex Guide: Pubs with Play Areas has over 50 Essex pubs with indoor and outdoor play areas. Now, welcome to the Parks with Cafes and Coffee Shops Guide. This guide features family friendly cafes in Essex - places where you can get a decent cup of coffee whilst the children play!
Oh how we love a family friend cafe in a park! Cafes located close to playgrounds allow a secure place for children to play, while parents take a moment.This guide highlights some of the best child-friendly cafes in Essex which are close to play parks.
Search by Area:
(Please check current opening times with each cafe before travelling)
Chelmsford (Cheerful Chai, The Hive, Cafe on the Water, Central Park)
Southend-on-Sea (and Hadleigh) (Serendipity Cafe, Belfairs Woodland Centre, Southchrurch Park Cafe)
Colchester (Lakelands Centre, Harpers Caffe, Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre)
Basildon and Wickford (Huttons at Memorial Park, Northlands Park Cafe, Wat Tyler Cafe)
Billericay (Cafe in Park)
Chigwell (Cafe 1856 at Hainault Forest)
Grays (Lightship Cafe)
Harlow (Spurriers House Cafe)
Upminster (Thames Chase Tea Room)
Romford (Eastbrookend Country Park Tea Room)
Parks with Cafes in Chelmsford
📍Angel Pavillion, Broomfield, Chelmsford, CM1 7AH
Cheerful Chai Cafe is located at Angel Pavillion, Broomfield Village Hall, Chelmsford. This cafe is located next to a great play area. There is indoor and outdoor seating, meaning you can watch your children play whilst enjoying food and drink from the cafe.
There is a great selection of food and drink available at Cheerful Chai including home made bakes. There is also a great children menu. You can pick up a kids lunch bag for £6.50 which contains a sandwich, drink, crisps, three snack items.
Inside Cheerful Chair Cafe there is a selection of books and toys for children to play with. There are toilets located inside the cafe, including accessible and baby change facilities.
The play area has a fun, pirate theme. The star of this playground is the large, pirate ship climbing frame. The climbing frame has many different climbs, a slide and lots of interesting puzzles/movable equipment such as maps, an anchor and treasure on the bottom level.
📍Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, CM22 0JJ
Oaklands Park in Chelmsford makes for a great day out in Essex, it also has free parking! Chelmsford Museum is a super child friendly museum located in Oaklands Park. There are also two playgrounds within the beautiful park grounds. The gardens here are beautiful and there is lots of space to explore!
The Hive Cafe is very child friendly and good options on the children's menu. There are also vegetarian and vegan options available. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor patio area all year round. However, dogs are not permitted in the the indoor restaurant area.
There are two playgrounds in Oaklands Park, the playgrounds are close but do not overlook each other. In the larger playground there are climbing frames, a slide, tyre swings and a nest swing. There is also a large fallen tree trunk which is great for climbing. The playground is spacious and it is enclosed.
The smaller playground has a castle/knights theme. It is enclosed. The playground is a decent size. The highlight is the large mound which can be climbed up or through the tunnel. There are slides with climbing frames, swings, a zipwire, climbing equipment, ride on equipment and a dungeon! The only accessible play equipment is a merry-go-round.
📍Hanningfield Waterside Park, Giffords Lane, South Hanningfield Road, Chelmsford, CM3 8HX
Hanningfield Waterside Park has beautiful views across Hanningfield Reservoir and is a great spot for feeding the ducks. There is a playground and cafe. You can also walk through the woodlands to reach the Essex Wildlife Trust Centre and the Wind in the Willows Trail.
The Cafe at Hanningfield Reservoir is open every day from 9am to 4pm. The cafe serves sandwiches, cakes, snacks and more substantial main meals. There is seating available inside and outside of the cafe.
📍Central Park, 24-26 Viaduct Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0FQ
The Central Park Cafe is located close to Central Park Playground. The Central Park Cafe is open every day from 7.30am. There is a varied hot drink menu, serving freshly ground coffee, matcha and chai lattes. Alternative milks are available - oat, soya and coconut milk. Gluten free cakes and gluten free bread is also available. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. From May to September the cafe hosts Pizza and Prosecco evenings.
Parks with Cafes in Southend-on-Sea
📍Gunners Park, Shoebury, Southend-on-Sea
Serendipity Cafe is a fantastic family-friendly cafe option. in Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea. Serendipity Cafe is located inside the restored Cart and Wagon Shed, inside the Heritage Centre in the Shoebury Garrison Estate.
Serendipity serves hot and cold drinks, amazing cakes, breakfast, lunch and meals. We've visited this cafe numerous times and the service is consistently great. There are highchairs and toddler plates and cutlery. There is also a wide range of gluten free options and several alternative milks. The cafe has very good toilets including accessible toilets and baby change facilities. The cafe also has a dog friendly section.
Serendipity Cafe is located next to a great toddler play area in Gunners Park. The playground is most suitable for smaller children up to school age.
There are swings, a merry-go-round, toddler climbing frames with slides, ride on equipment and pulleys. The equipment is interesting, bright and in good condition. It is enclosed and there are benches and picnic benches inside the playground.
The cafe and play area are also very close to the seafront. If you are looking for more Beach Playgrounds in Southend-on-Sea, check out our Guide!
📍Belfairs Nature Discovery Centre, Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 4LR
Belfairs Woods are a brilliant Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. There is plenty of amazing ancient woodland to explore! Children will love the woodland adventure playground, den building and splashing in the stream within the woods. The nature reserve is also home to a country pub and Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre with a cafe.
The Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre is a short two minute walk from the adventure playground. The visitor centre cafe serves a breakfast and lunch menu - mainly sandwiches, soups, jacket potatoes and some hot meals. There are also snacks, drinks and ice creams available.
There is also a country pub at Belfairs Woods - The Inn at Belfairs, which also serves food. If you are looking for a family friendly pub in Essex check out our Pubs with Play Areas Guide.
The play area mainly consists of a large, linked wooden climbing frame structure set within the woods. The climbing frame has a variety of climbs and ends with a slide. It is most appropriate for child preschool age and older due to the height of the climbing frame. There is also some balancing equipment and a swing.
📍Southchurch Park, Northumberland Crescent, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 2XB
Southchurch Park is located only a stones throw away from Thorpe Bay Beach. The Park has several pitches and courts, a model boating lake and gardens. The large play ground has equipment for toddlers and big kids too.
Southchurch Park cafe serves good quality hot drinks and also home made sweet treats! Southchurch Park Cafe is open from 10am and has a large breakfast menu with cooked breakfasts, vegan and vegatarian breakfast options. There is a lunch menu mainly consisting of sandwiches and rolls, gluten free rolls are available. There is also a kids menu with meals from £4. Summer specials include BBQs on selected dates!
📍Hadleigh Country Park, Chapel Lane, Benfleet, SS7 2PP
There are activities to suit all the family at Hadleigh Park including dog friendly walking trails, a playground and horse riding. Hadleigh Park is perfect for bike lovers. There is a mountain bike course, bike hire, bike workshop and bike wash. There are plenty of water activities.
The Hub Café is run by the Salvation Army. The cafe can be found close to the play area and is open everyday between 9.30am and 4pm. The Hub Café offers homemade food including salads, graze boxes, hot pastries and pies, sandwiches, soups and cakes. There are also breakfast rolls and pastries available. Barista coffee is served at The Hub. There is also a good range of vegetarian and vegan options.
There is indoor seating and also benches outside of the cafe, which overlooks the play area. Please note card payments only, no cash.
Parks with Cafes in Colchester
📍Stanway Lakelands Centre, 2 Western Approach, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 8DX
The Stanway Lakelands Community Centre has great faculties including a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, inclusive playground, sensory room and full Changing Places facility.
The Cafe at the Lakelands Centre is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday - Saturday and closes at 4pm on Sunday. There is a good selection of hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice creams. There is also a breakfast and lunch menu. Choose from sandwiches, paninis and jacket potatoes. There is also a children's menu. Food is freshly prepared onsite.
This inclusive playground has lots to offer! There is a large sandpit with a wooden climbing frame running through it. The climbing frame has slides, variously climbs and a ramp. Other equipment includes swings, ride on equipment and roundabout.
📍 King George Playing Fields, Cage Lane, Boxted, CO4 5RE
Boxted has a great village playground! There is play equipment for all ages, a large skate ramp, playing fields and free parking.
There is also a Community Cafe inside the Community Hub - Harpers Caffe! The cafe at Boxted Park has a great selection of home made cakes, jacket potatoes, paninis and bloomer sandwiches! Gluten free bread is available. The cafe also serves a breakfast menu of cooked breakfasts, breakfasts rolls, teacakes and scones. This community cafe is also licenced.
The playground at King Georges Fields Boxted has an enclosed section to play area which has a climbing frame with slide, swings, springy ride on equipment, seesaw and a smaller slide. This area is suitable for smaller children.
There is also lots of equipment surrounding the enclosed play area. There is balancing equipment, two in floor trampolines, tyre swing, roundabout and a large wooden log climbing frame. There is also separate equipment to balance/climb/jump/BMX.
📍Abberton Reservoir Nature Discovery Park, Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye- COlchester, CO2 0EU
Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir is a great Nature Discovery Park. As well as the great wildlife spotting, kids will also love the natural play area and the Bramley Hedge woodland character trail. There is a cafe located in the Visitor Centre.
The cafe serves a small breakfast and lunch menu including prepackaged sandwiches and wraps, teacakes, cakes and drinks. There is seating available inside and also outside seating on the decking area, with views out over the water.
Parks with Cafes in Basildon and Wickford
📍Memorial Park, Wickford, SS11 8JE
Memorial Park is our favourite park in Wickford! The park has a great playground suit for all ages, a cafe and wonderfully maintained gardens with plenty of seating.
Huttons Cafe at Wickford Park is located close to playground and directly overlooks it. Huttons serve hot and cold food and drinks. The varied menu consists of breakfast, lunch and treats such as cake and ice cream.There is plenty of inside seating and outdoor tables too. There are also rooms available to hire.
There are two play areas at Memorial Park, which are next to each other. The smaller playground is suitable for babies and children up to junior age. There is climbing frame with slides, rope ladders, rope bridge. There are also toddler puzzles underneath the climbing frame. There is a nest swing and a really cool swing that can be used by baby and adult/bigger kid at the same time. There is a run up slide and ride on play equipment.The second play area is more challenging equipment and will entertain children up to teenage. There is plenty of climbing equipment.
📍Northlands Park, Felmores Road, Basildon, SS13 1SD
Northlands Park is a great community space with a playground, outdoor gym, skate ramp, cafe and beautiful lake full of ducks
The Two Lakes Cafe is conveniently located close to the playground. It is basic (think greasy spoon). They serve hot food including chips, burgers and jacket potatoes. You can pay by cash or card. You can also pick up duck food from the Cafe.
The playground is most suitable for smaller children up to the age of 10. There are climbing frames, a boat climbing frame, trampolines, balancing equipment, ride on equipment, swings and baby swings, a roundabout and plenty of sensory equipment including noise makers and colour changing equipment. The playground is enclosed.
📍Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, Basildon, SS16 4UH
Wat Tyler Country Park has one of the best children's play parks in Essex. The play area is suitable for children of all ages and has inclusive play equipment. Wat Tyler Country Park has great country walks and hosts regular events throughout the holidays.
There are a few catering options at Wat Tyler Country Park. There is both a kiosk and cafe at Wat Tyler Country Park. The cafe at Wat Tyler is accessed through the entrance for the visitor centre. The cafe has a breakfast menu and lunch menu with soup, jacket potatoes, toasties, wraps, sandwiches and specials. There is also a children's hot lunch menu and a lunch box. You check out the Wat Tyler Cafe Menu Here.
There is also a covered food kiosk outside in the barn area serving hot drinks and takeaway food. You also can often find an ice cream van at Wat Tyler during the holidays.
The incredible playground at Wat Tyler was installed in Summer 2022. The playground is great for all ages and abilities. There are lots of wooden climbing frames suitable from toddler age to teenagers. The frames are in excellent condition and have many different climb ups and slides, some of which are steep and challenging.
Parks with Cafes in Billericay
📍Lake Meadows, Radford Crescent, Billericay, CM12 0BW
There are great facilities at Lake Meadows Park including play areas, a cafe, lesiure centre with a swimming pool, fishing, basketball and tennis courts.
The Cafe at Lake Meadows was taken over by new owners in 2025 and is now named Lakeview Palace. Lakeview Palace is open every day from 8.30am to 5.30pm. The Cafe at Lake Meadows is conveniently located overlooking the playground. The cafe serves barista coffee, pastries, and breakfast and lunch options. There are vegan and vegetarian options and children's menu. The cafe is dog friendly.
There is lots going on in this playground with a fun dragon, wizard theme! Equipment includes a large climbing frame with slide suitable for older children and a smaller dragon climbing frame with slide. There are a variety of swings including baby swings, a tandem swing and a more accessible swing. There is a floor trampoline with ramp, balancing ramps with climbing mushrooms, balancing beams for older children and balance steps. There are also seesaws (one with ramp), a merry-go-round (accessible), spinning seat, frame with tunnel, musical area and spinning climb on apparatus. Read more about Lake Meadows
Parks with Cafes in Chigwell
📍 Hainault Forest, Romford Road, Chigwell, IG7 4QN
There are so many things to do at Hainault Forest Country Park! Hainault Forest Country Park is home to Foxborrows Farm (which is free to enter), the Hainault Thomas Train Ride and a great adventure playground. This country park is great for wonderful for woodland walks. There is also a large lake, where you can hire boats in the summer. There are toilets and a cafe close to the car park.
The 1856 Cafe at Hainault Forest Country Parks serves hot food and drinks. Alternative milks are available. The 1856 Cafe serves breakfast (including an all day breakfast), jacket potatoes, street food pots, paninis and kids meals. Kids meals at Hainault Forest Cafe include beans on toast and the usual nuggets/sausages and chips. Check out the Menu 1856 Cafe
The playground at Hainault Forest Country Park is suitable for children of all ages. There is equipment for toddlers through to teenagers. The playground is wooden and has climbing frames with a tube slide. There is plenty of climbing and balancing equipment. There are also tunnels.
Parks with Cafes in Grays
📍Grays Beach Riverside Park, Thames Road, Grays, RM17 6HF
Grays beach playground is a large playground with a sand pit in the middle. The park also has mini golf, a cafe and seasonal splash pad. There is also a skate ramp, ball court and parkour area very close by. You can walk along the Thames Estuary and there are also fields with lots of open space.
The Lightship Cafe is a local cafe which is conveniently situated overlooking the large play area. The menu is varied and there are some great Indian specials.
The large, pirate ship climbing structure is suitable for toddlers to teenagers. On the ground level there are lots of puddles, little seats and boxes to pour and collect sand. There are several different rope climbs, bridges and steps to get up to slide level. There are also several
slides.
Parks with Cafes in Harlow
📍Harlow Town Park, Mandela Avenue, Harlow, CM20 2HW
Harlow Town Park is a family favourite. There are two playgrounds, a skate park, seasonal paddling pool and Pets Corner Farm for children (which is FREE to enter!). The Park has several beautiful, unique gardens (including a sensory garden), nature reserves and a wonderful bandstand. There are often family friendly seasonal events throughout the school holidays.
Spurriers House Cafe is located next to Pets Corner. The cafe serves hot and cold food and drink including- breakfast, pizza, hot dog, burgers, chips, soup, sandwiches, cake. There are also kids meals available. Read more about Town Park
Parks with Cafes in Upminster
📍Thames Chase Forest Centre , Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NS
This Forestry England park has so much going on and is great for families. A new inclusive play area opened at Thames Chase in February 2025. You can also find the Forestry England Stick Man Trail at Thames Chase! The cafe and visitor centre with toilets are conveniently located close to the playground. There are also walking and cycle trails through the woods and meadows.
The Thames Chase Tea Room has a good selection of hot and cold drinks. There is a breakfast and lunch menu, serving toasties, salads, paninis, sandwiches and jacket potatoes.
Parks with Cafes in Romford
📍Eastbrookend Country Park, The Chase, Dagenham Road, Romford, RM7 0SS
Eastbrookend Country Park is great for a family day out. There is a great playground to suit a variety of ages, a sculpture trail, sweet tea room and free parking
Eastbrookend Country Park Tea Room can be found within the Discovery Centre. The tearoom is located next to the playground.The Eastbrookend Country Park Tea Room serves a variety of hot and cold food. There are sandwiches, pastries, ice cream and cakes. You can also order afternoon tea at Eastbrookend Country Park Tea Room. There is plenty of seating space inside and outside of the tea room.
The playground at Easbrookend Country Park is suitable for toddlers and children up to junior age. There is a smaller climbing frame, ride on equipment and swings including baby swings and tandem swings for toddler aged children. There is a large climbing frame and wooden balancing equipment for older children. There is also musical equipment.
Your visit!
Essex has a fantastic selection of parks and playgrounds, complemented by inviting cafes that cater to families. Places like Cheerful Chai and Serendipity Cafe are just examples of the warm, welcoming experiences you can find while dining out with young kids.
Whether you're planning a simple afternoon outing or an exciting day trip, exploring these family-friendly cafes in Essex's parks can lead to lasting memories filled with laughter and happiness. The mix of outdoor fun and delicious dining ensures that every family adventure is bound to be a success.
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