NEW for 2025! Unique Adventure Playgrounds across the UK on our Bucket List!
- Essex Parks
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
Our perfect family day out always involves an epic adventure playground. We have visited some of the best playgrounds in Essex and love parks where there are lots of activities to do. Our favourites include Promenade Park in Maldon - which has two play areas, a seasonal splash pad, minigolf and gold panning. We also love Harlow Town Park for it's two play areas, gardens and FREE farm - Pet's Corner.
Now my kids are a little older travelling to adventure playgrounds across the UK is on our radar! We recently visited Bewilderwood in Norfolk and it was definitely worth the trip out of Essex.
The paid adventure playgrounds listed in this post are some of the best in the UK and make for a great family day out or even staycation. These play areas are across the UK so get ready for a road trip. Here are a few of our dream playgrounds we hope to visit over the next few years.
Best for Toddlers - Junior Aged Kids
One for the Julia Donaldson lovers! Essex is certainly not short of Julia Donaldson Trails. Have you checked out the Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park or the two Essex gruffalo trails? In fact there used to be a Zog trail, which is no more. It looks like we are going to have to get our Zog fix at Warwick Castle. Zog playland features a dragon-winged zip wire, Princess Pearl’s Tower, Zog slide, dragon slides and swings, interactive sand play, adventure tunnels and sensory play. Tickets from £26 per person, includes access to Warwick Castle as well as the play area.
NEW for 2025
The creativity at the Ice Cream Farm playground looks incredible. As well as sweet themed swings, slides, bridges, there are immersive Flavour Stations, where scents of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry fill the air! Entry costs £2 per adult and £3 per child. There are optional added paid playstations too including soft play.
NEW for 2025
A BRAND NEW fairground themed play area has opened at Thursford in Norfolk.
@the_ouchie_fixer and @daysoutforlittleexplorers have recently posted reels of Thursford and it looks incredible. We love a strong theme and the play area looks beautiful. Entry to the paid adventure playground includes the splash area, perfect for a summer day trip. Children under 2 go free. Adult tickets between £4 and £6 and Children tickets between £8 and £12.
Side note: the Thursford Christmas event (Santa’s Magical Journey) also looks incredible. Access to the adventure playground is included in ticket price.
NEW for 2025 (Water Play)
Incredible Water Play
Mead Open Farm in Leighton Buzzard, Bedford has a great selection of animals. However we are more exicted about the amazing indoor and outfoor play opportunities. Access to indoor and outdoor play is included in the price. Outdoor play includes Topsy Turvy Towers play area, minigolf, high ropes and wooden, sledge raceways. New for 2025 is Shaggy’s Pirate Ship & Water Play. The seasonal splash area looks great. Tickets from £16.95 per person. Children under 18 months go free.
Best Indoor Play Area
Stockeld Park has been on our 'To Visit' list for a long time. As well as a great outdoor adventure playground, there is also a very creative indoor play area - the Playhive. The Playhive is one of Europe’s largest indoor playgrounds! Play areas include the magical woodland, sea and space themed play zones. Entry from £23.50 which includes access to the park all day and a 2 hour slot in the Playhive.
Best for all Ages
Adventure Play at Winsdor Great Park looks amazing. The play areas is mainly wooden and heavily nature inspired - think treehouses, conker stepping stones, treetop play zones and animal carvings. There are also some impressive looking slides, a sandpit and zipwires! Adult tickets from £10, Children tickets from £13, Under 2s go free.
Biggest Play Structure
If you are looking for the largest play structure in the world, take a road trip to Lilidorei (pronounced Lil-ee-door-ee) in Northumberland. This play area may be the further away from Essex but it looks incredible. The magical kingdom play area has a elf themed. The large play structure has further play areas below including swings and climbs! Adult tickets from £21.45, children tickets from £17.60, under 2s go free.
These adventure playgrounds are extremely impressive. If you are looking for your own adventure closer to home, we have over 100 playgrounds and parks in Essex to discover. Check out our guide to the best towns and districts across Essex including Chelmsford, Braintree and Southend. Or use our map to find parks near you.
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