Heybrigde Basin has been on my to visit list for so long and what an absolute gem it is! This is not just a playground stop, you can easily spend a few hours here! Check out the Parks of Essex Instagram Post on Heybridge Basin Where is the playground in Heybridge Basin? 📍St Georges Play Area Heybridge Basin Maldon CM9 4SE Google maps link 🅿️ Parking - Where to park Heybridge Basin Park at Daisy Meadow Car Park CM9 4RW Contactless or RingGo payment 1 Hour - £1, 2 Hours - £1.50, 3 Hours - £2, 4 Hours - £2.50, 24 Hours - £5 How to find the playground in Heybridge Basin Go up the stairs at the Daisy Meadow car park and walk along the seawall. Turn left and walk for 5 minutes and you will reach the playground. What equipment is at the Heybridge Basin Playground? The small, enclosed playground has a climbing frame with slide, swings, climbing equipment, a roundabout, spinning equipment, climbing rope pyramid and ride on equipment. There are playing fields surrounding the play area and there are also more wooden climbing equipment. Where to eat and drink in Heybridge Basin? Between the car park and playground there are plenty of places to stop for food and drink including Daisy Meadow Kiosk The Lock, Tiptree Tearoom Heybridge Basin The Old Ship Inn Pub The Jolly Sailor Pub We stopped at the Daisy Meadow Kiosk and had tea and cake at one of their benches overlooking the water. They also served breakfast and lunch rolls. The staff were super friendly and prices reasonable Are there toilets in Heybridge Basin? There are no public toilets in Heybridge Basin Boat trips from Heybridge Basin? Seasonal boat trips available from the Daisy Meadow Kiosk. Book Here Other playgrounds close to Heybridge Basin Check out the Parks of Essex MAP to find more playgrounds close by! Oak Tree Meadow, Heybridge Promenade Park, Maldon Check out the Parks of Essex Directory - A-Z of over 100 Essex parks 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ✅ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌ 🚻 Toilets ❌ ♿ Accessible ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ✅ ⏰ 30 minutes - 1 hour in playground, plenty of lovely food options to extend your time in Heybridge Basin Post last updated October 2023

Find out what is happening this weekend in Essex! Family friendly events at parks across Essex and beyond. Don't forget to check back soon for our Halloween and Half Term listings! Over 40 Events Coming Sunday 1st October! What's that Bat Daws Hall Nature Reserve, CO5 8EX 29th September A gentle walk around our stunning nature reserve, as the sun sets. On the walk we will watch as the dark shadows of our resident bats swoop between the trees and along the water's edge to catch their evening insect-meal. Meanwhile with the use of ultrasound scanners, we will convert their clicks and calls to work out which species they are. Adults £10, Children £5 Stevens Funfair Riverside Park, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, CM0 8HS 22nd - 29th September Join Stevens Funfair at Riverside Park in Burnham-on-Crouch this September for the classic funfair experience! Festival of Flavours RHS Hyde Hall, CM8 3ET 29th September - 1st October A three-day food spectacular with flavours from all around the world, tips on how to grow the tastiest ingredients, and cook-ups from chefs at RHS Garden Hyde Hall. Garden admission applies. Autumn Scavenger Hunt Essex Country Parks Turn your next family walk into a scavenger hunt! Simply download, print and take the Explore Essex Autumn Scavenger Hunt with you and see how many signs of autumn you can spot along the way. Download the scavenger hunt here. More Family Friendly Events! Seafront Fireworks Southend-on-Sea Seafront, SS1 2HR 30th September Wrap up warm, round up your friends and family and head on down to the seafront every Saturday night during October and November. Free Bach to Baby Layer Marney Tower, Colchester, CO5 9U 1st October Bring your toddlers and babies to enjoy timeless jazz music that will have you toe tapping and your children swaying to the infectious melodies. Toddlers are free to roam and dance to the lively rhythms of the clarinet and saxophone. £15 per adult and includes two children free. Burnham Carnival Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8AG 30th September Burnham Carnival offers a fun day for all the family, with events starting at 10am and finishing with the grand illuminated procession from 7.30pm. Monster Mayhem Show Cammas Hall, Bishop Stortford CM22 7JT From 30th September - 9th October - With puppetry, songs and a great deal of silliness, this 45 minute show will have your little monsters howling with laughter and raring to go for Halloween festivities. (This show is silly not scary and is suitable for monsters of all ages). Adults £5, Children £8 Colchester Castle Tour Colchester War Memorial, 66 High Street Colchester, CO1 1DN 1st October - An exterior tour of Colchester Castle is an opportunity to see the impressive medieval structure from the outside, learning about its history and architectural features. £10 Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 90 Parks in Essex.

There are plenty of great events happening across Essex this weekend. Here at Parks of Essex we have picked ten great family friendly events happening across 23rd and 24th September. Don't forget to check back soon for our Halloween and Half Term listings! Essex Park Events Brilliant events happening at parks across Essex. Family Fun Festival Colchester Castle Park, CO1 1UG 23rd September Discover lots of brilliant, free things for all the family to enjoy including bouncy castles, face painting, games and activities. Seed Gathering Season Highwoods Country Park, Colchester, CO4 5JR 23rd September Follow the map around the site and gather seeds, fruits and nuts to grow trees for planting as part of the Colchester Woodland Project. Pots and soil are provided so you can grow your seeds - look out for events in 2 and 3 years time to come along and plant the trees you have nurtured. Drop in anytime between 11am to 3pm. £1, purchase from visitor centre. Essex Classic Car Festival Colchester Castle Park, CO1 1UG 24th September Lower Castle Park will be filled to the brim with retro entertainment, charming food stalls and of course vintage cars. With music spanning the decades and opportunities for the children to learn about life from a bygone era, there is something for everyone. Adults £5, Children £3, Under 3s - Free. Shotgate Music Festival Shotgate Park, Wickford, SS11 8QS 23rd September Shotgate’s very own music festival. Under cover & performing live: Abba Stars, The Start, Ian Geast, Rock Project. Bar & food available. Adults £18.50, Under 16s Free Forest Fun for Neurodiverse Children Thorndon, Brentwood, CM13 3RZ 23rd September A morning of exploration and play in a peaceful woodland setting awaits! For Neurodiverse children only, aged 5+. Prebooking required. £8 More Family Fun More family friendly fun events across Essex Lifeboat Open Day Southend Pier, SS1 1EE 24th September Southend RNLI are welcoming you to their Open Day at the Offshore Lifeboat Station at the Southend Pier Head! View the lifeboats, meet the crew, visit the shop, say hello to Stormy Stan and learn all about one of the busiest coastal stations in the UK, Southend RNLI! Lifeboat demonstrations at 14:15 and 16:15 (subject to operations). Entry to the Southend RNLI Open Day is free, please note the standard Southend Pier admission charges apply. If you are looking for a playground close to the beach in Southend check the below post! Fire Station Open Day Colchester Fire Station, Cowdray Ave, Colchester, CO1 1XT Burnham Fire Station, 17 Albert Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, CM0 8EA Corringham Fire Station, 43 Fobbing Road, Corringham, SS17 9BN 23rd September Come and meet the team, look around our fire station and fire engines. Free! Windmill Open Day Upminster Windmill, 89 St Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QL 23rd September Explore the restored windmill, visitor centre and garden. The sails will be turning if weather conditions permit. Adults £6, Children (over 102cm) £2 Visit the Vulcan Southend Airport, SS2 6YF 24th September Your chance to see XL426 close-up in her hangar at London Southend Airport and find out more about the role she played in the Cold War. There is plenty for all the family to see and enjoy with displays of the equipment and weapons that XL426 carried during her time with the Royal Air Force. Adults £8, Under 16s Free Dog Show Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BZ 24th September Dog Show with 10 classes including "best young handler" and "waggiest tail". Accessories & toys for your pampered pooches, plus other trade stalls. Crazy Legs Children's Entertainer Inflatables. Soft play bus. Bungee trampolines. Meet & Greet with Batman & Mirabel. Arts & Crafts (not included in admission fee). Adult £7, Child (2-15) £6, Under 2’s – Free. Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 70 Parks in Essex. Over 90 parks and playgrounds are listed!

Here are some activities and events happening at parks, playgrounds and nature reserve this week! Bedfords Park, RM4 1QH 23rd - Family Forest Fun - A morning full of fun in nature - look for mini beasts, dig in the mud kitchen, build dens, climb trees, creative crafts, and enjoy a campfire. £7 Belfairs Woods, SS9 4LR 24th - Woodland Workshop - Come and visit the outdoor woodland workshop where you can use natural materials and tools to make wildlife wood craft to take home. £8 Chalkwell Park, SS0 8NA 24th - Ellis Leisure will yet again be hosting their Inflatable Fun Days,with a dedicated section for toddler (recommend ages of 1-3 years old). Providing a wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Danbury Country Park, CM3 4AW 23rd - Wild Wednesdays - Child-led free play in the great outdoors, run by the Essex Country Parks Outdoor Learning Team. Activities and equipment available for children and families to use and enjoy include hammocks, den building, mud kitchen, water play, ID charts, squirrel trail and slacklines. This is an informal drop-in session between 11am and 2pm. Fingringhoe Wick, CO5 7DN 21st - Bushcraft Drop Off - aimed at children aged 11-18. Start by lighting a fire using natural materials foraged from the woodland. Set up tarp shelters and cook snacks on an open fire. The afternoon will be spent using tools and learning woodland crafts. £30 23rd - Woodland Craft - Visit our woodland workshop where you can use natural materials from the reserve to craft your own wonderful wooden project from start to finish. £7 23rd - Sunset Spectacular - As the sunsets over Fingringhoe Wick, the nocturnal animals come out to play! Join us on an adventure around the reserve to see what wildlife appear once everyone has gone home. £8 24th - Wild Art - We will forage for some natural materials on the way so we can get making nature-inspired masterpieces. £7 Great Notley Country Park, CM77 7FS 24th - Inflatable Fun - A huge outdoor inflatable arena, bringing family fun day over two days for children aged up to 11 years old. From £8.99 Hadleigh Park, SS7 2PP Free family activities this summer 22nd - Craft Day 23rd - Animal Trail & Small Farm Animals 24th - Family Fun Film Night Hanningfield, CM11 1WT 24th - Minibeast Safari - Drop in and spend some time hunting for the minibeasts that call Hanningfield their home. £5 24th - Family Forest Fun - Discover and play as we build dens and explore the forest. Don't forget to bring food to have a snack in the woods during the session. £7 Highwoods Country Park, CO4 5JR 23rd -Amazing Animals - Help the ranger find signs of animal life in the park on our discovery trail, check the live small mammal traps and get creative making your own sock animal to take home. £5.50 Ingrebourne Valley, RM12 6TS 23rd - Wild Wednesday - borrow a bug hunting kit and see what creatures call the meadow home before returning to the Nature Discovery Centre to have a go at a nature based craft. £5 24th - Family Forest Adventure - Join us for a morning of forest activities including den building, wood whittling and nature discovery. Ideal for parents/guardians to bring along children aged 8-12 years old. £7 24th - Family Forest Fun - Forest activities for children aged 2-7 years old. Langdon, SS16 6EJ 24th - Storytime Fantastic Mr Fox - Listen to some extracts from the classic Roald Dahl story, look for signs of foxes around the site, make your own dens as well as joining in with some fun crafts in the woods. £7 24th - Family Forest Fun - Build a den, climb a tree, hunt for minibeasts, create in the mud kitchen, woodland crafts, camp fire and much more. £7 The Naze, CO14 8LE 22nd - Seaside Senses - Explore the coast on this 1km wander (distance approximate), with plenty of stops to play and investigate along the way. Find out more about the coast and it’s wildlife with games and activities to engage the senses. £6 23rd - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 Oaklands Park, Chelmsford Museum, CM2 9AQ 22nd - 24th - Victorian Week - Enjoy learning how to print and about Victorian beekeeping, roll your own candle to take home, object handling, dressing up, and we’ll give you a gallery challenge which involves exploring the museum! £5 Promenade Park, CM9 5JG 23rd - Inflatable Fun - Inflatable fun from £8.99 Southchurch Park, SS1 2XB 22nd - Ellis Leisure will yet again be hosting their Inflatable Fun Days,with a dedicated section for toddler (recommend ages of 1-3 years old). Providing a wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Thames Chase, RM14 3NS 21st - Bio Blitz - Go on a wild minibeast safari, discover the aquatic creatures living in the river, learn all about your discoveries in our ID Zone, plus crafts and much more! Free 22nd/23rd - Mythical Beasts - Find that inner mythical beast and create it using Air Drying Clay. Scaly, smooth, scary or friendly. Your beast can take on any form it wants to – it’s up to you 24th - Paint a Minibeast - Join the team from Crababs at Thames Chase, get creative and paint a ceramic mini beast and then take them home. £8 25th - Jazz in the Barn - Enjoy an evening of traditional jazz in the historic Essex barn with Dave Browning’s Jazz Band. £18 Roding Valley Nature Reserve, IG7 6DP 21st - Nature Tots - Enjoy swinging in the hammock, crafts, digging in the mud kitchen, looking for minibeasts, and so much more! £7 Royal Gunpowder Mills, EN9 1JY 22nd - Children's Workshop - Join us for an exciting and interactive summer workshop where children can dive into the fascinating history of the Royal Gunpowder Mills through a variety of arts and crafts. £8 Thorndon Country Park, CM13 3RZ 22nd - Dinosaur Discovery - Join us in the woods for a Prehistoric afternoon of Dino Discovery challenges! £7 26th - Forest Fun for Neurodiverse Children - A day of exploration and play in a peaceful woodland setting awaits! For Neurodiverse children only, aged 5+. £7 Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN 22nd - Dinosaur Discovery - Join us in the woods for a Prehistoric afternoon of Dino Discovery challenges! £7 23rd - Owl Prowl - Take a leisurely guided stroll around the Nature Park while searching for owls, moths and all that comes alive in the early evening sun. £5 24th - Bird Brains - Learn about some of the incredible birds that have made Thameside their home. Visit our bird hide, have a go foraging like a bird, take part in some bird themed games, and make a bird feeder to take home! £7 Wat Tyer, SS16 4UH To pre-book call 01268 205267 between 10am-4pm. £6 per child, £4.30 sblings, £2 adults 21st - Den Building & Fire Striking, Soft Archery 22nd - Cottage & Craft 24th - Soft Archery 25th - Pond Dipping, Cottage & Craft Check out our DIRECTORY for an A-Z of over 90 Essex Parks!

Here are some activities and events happening at parks, playgrounds and nature reserve this week! Bedfords Park, RM4 1QH 14th - The Gruffalo Storytime - Settle down in the story circle. Explore the woodland, and get creative with some themed crafts! £5 15th - Family Forest Fun - Build a den, climb a tree, hunt for minibeasts, create in the mud kitchen, woodland crafts, camp fire and much more. £7 17th - Nature Tots - Enjoy swinging in the hammock, crafts, digging in the mud kitchen, looking for minibeasts, and so much more £7 18th - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 Belfairs Woods, SS9 4LR 17th - Nature Tots - Enjoy swinging in the hammock, crafts, digging in the mud kitchen, looking for minibeasts, and so much more £7 18th - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 Chalkwell Park, SS0 8NA 17th - Ellis Leisure will yet again be hosting their Inflatable Fun Days,with a dedicated section for toddler (recommend ages of 1-3 years old). Providing a wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Danbury Country Park, CM3 4AW 16th - Wild Wednesdays - Child-led free play in the great outdoors, run by the Essex Country Parks Outdoor Learning Team. Activities and equipment available for children and families to use and enjoy include hammocks, den building, mud kitchen, water play, ID charts, squirrel trail and slacklines. This is an informal drop-in session between 11am and 2pm. Great Notley Country Park, CM77 7FS 17th - Inflatable Fun - A huge outdoor inflatable arena, bringing family fun day over two days for children aged up to 11 years old. From £8.99 Hadleigh Park, SS7 2PP Free family activities this summer 15th - Kite Making 16th - Fun with Science 17th - Family Fun Film Night 20th - Picnic in the Park - The very best of Soul, Boogie, Disco and Hop Hop Hardie Park, SS17 0PB 17th - Bounce Inflatables - Outdoor fun and frolics at Hardie Park. Purchase on the day, £5 Harold Wood Park, RM3 0LX 18th - Inflatable Fun - A wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Harrowlodge Park - RM12 4QU 16th - Inflatable Fun - A wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Highwoods Country Park, CO4 5JR 16th - Stream Side Fun - Join the ranger for a walk to the small stream that runs through the park, pan for gold then make your own raft or boat too. We will be in the stream so wear wellies or sandles you can get wet. £5.50 Hyde Hall - CM3 8ET 16th - Bubble Show - This is an interactive display of giant bubbles, long bubble tubes and waves of bubbles that will float over the children's heads to chase and pop. Children will also get the opportunity to make their own big bubbles as part of the outdoor workshop. Garden Admission Ingrebourne Valley, RM12 6TS 16th - Wild Wednesday - borrow a bug hunting kit and see what creatures call the meadow home before returning to the Nature Discovery Centre to have a go at a nature based craft. £5 Langdon, SS16 6EJ 17th - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 18th - Minibeast Hunt - Use sweep nets, look under logs, shake some trees £5 The Naze, CO14 8LE 16th - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 17th - Family Tree Fun - Put up a hammock and gaze at the tree canopy, swing on a rope swing, create a den using tarps, climb trees or have a go at whittling and make something to take home. £7 Oaklands Park, Chelmsford Museum, CM2 9AQ 15th - 17th - Romans Week - Enjoy getting your hands dirty with digging trays, learn how to weave and about Saxon runes, create your own Saxon brooch, object handling with real objects and dresing up. Promenade Park, CM9 5JG 18th - UFest - An exciting day of events is being planned, running from 11am to 4pm, with live music, activities, stalls and events for the whole community, focusing on health, wellbeing and fun. FREE Southchurch Park, SS1 2XB 15th - Ellis Leisure will yet again be hosting their Inflatable Fun Days,with a dedicated section for toddler (recommend ages of 1-3 years old). Providing a wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Thames Chase, RM14 3NS 15th/16th - Sports Fun - A selection of all sorts of games on the green. Including welly throwing, bat and ball games, running, jumping, stretching, learning how the body works and team games. 17th - Moneybox Painting - A fun packed art session where children can paint and then keep their own money box! £10 Roding Valley Nature Reserve, IG7 6DP 15th - Minibeast Safari - Explore a range of habitats with magnifying glasses, ID charts, and sweep nets, to discover the fascinating creatures that live in the meadow and woodland. £6 15th - Pond Dipping - How many creatures can you find and name across the session? £5 Royal Gunpowder Mills, EN9 1JY 15th - Wildlife Expedition - Making masks inspired by nature to use as camouflage. Set off on a tractor-trailer ride to seek out all the different creatures that live on site. £8 Thorndon Country Park, CM13 3RZ 16th - Woodland Pixies and Elves - Make your own wand, mix potions, build them little houses for them to live in, and more! £7 17th - Wildlife Superheroes - A wild afternoon of Wildlife Superhero challenges! £7 Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN 15th - Bushcraft - Build a shelter to protect you from the elements, learn how to use tools safely and light a fire. £7 17th - Family Forest Fun - Discover and play as we build dens and explore the area, before toasting a snack on our fire. £7 Wanstead Park, E12 5DG 17th - Peter Rabbit Outdoor Theatre - Join Peter and his naughty cousin Benjamin in Wanstead Park on their hair-raising adventures in Quantum Theatre's delightful adaptation of Beatrix Potter's much-loved Tales. From £11 Wat Tyer, SS16 4UH To pre-book call 01268 205267 between 10am-4pm. £6 per child, £4.30 siblings, £2 adults 14th - Cottage & Craft, Soft Archery 15th - Pond Dipping 16th - Cottage Tour 17th - Pond Dipping 18th - Pond Dipping, Hedgehog Trail Don't forget to check back for our "What's On in Essex" posts - EVERY month. School Holiday Events in Essex posted every half term and weekly during the summer holidays. See past event posts here. Check out our DIRECTORY for an A-Z of over 90 Essex Parks!

Here are some FREE activities and events happening at parks, playgrounds and nature reserves across Essex next week and beyond! EVENTS Outdoor Family Film Screenings Elmer Square, SS1 1NS 12th - Space Jam, 19th - Surfs Up, 26th August - Cars Outdoor Family Friendly Cinema Screenings at The Forum, taking over a refurbished Elmer Square! The outdoor screenings take place every Saturday in August at 3pm. Bring your own chair or blanket to sit on the pavement or grass, respectively. Free, no booking necessary. Wild Wednesdays Danbury Country Park, CM3 4AW 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th Child-led free play in the great outdoors, run by the Essex Country Parks Outdoor Learning Team. Activities and equipment available for children and families to use and enjoy include hammocks, den building, mud kitchen, water play, ID charts, squirrel trail and slacklines. This is an informal drop-in session between 11am and 2pm. Read, Count and Explore Cudmore Grove, CO5 8UE Great Notley Country Park, CM77 7FS Enjoy story times and sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge with Essex Libraries, take part in drop-in craft sessions with Park Rangers. Pick up an Animal Mysteries Summer Trail booklet, borrow a Read and Count Under a Tree book bag, and much more. Running from 10am to 2pm Family Fun Activities Hadleigh Park, SS7 2PP All activities run from 10.30 - 12.30pm. No booking necessary 8th - Womble Junk Trail & Modelling 9th - Gingerbread Decorating 10th - Just for Tots SUMMER TRAILS Animal Mysteries Summer Trail Weald Country Park, CM14 5QS Belhus Woods RM15 4XJ Thorndon CM13 3RZ Hadleigh Park SS7 2PP Cudmore Grove CO5 8UE Danbury Country Park CM3 4AW Great Notley Country Park CM77 7FS From 22nd July - 2nd September Help your children find the animals hiding in the parks, count up your answers and send them in to enter our prize draw to win a Colchester Zoo Animal Experience! Pick up a FREE Animal Mysteries Summer Trail booklet while stocks last, print at home or download the activities straight to your phone. Download the Trail HERE Nuts about Nature Trail Valance Park, RM8 3HT From 22nd July - - Enjoy the outdoor green spaces as you discover more about the natural world in this fun nature trail. Suitable for ages 3 and up.​ Drop in, FREE. MORE TRAILS The following trails are open all year! Gruffalo Trail - Thorndon Country Park CM13 3RZ Stickman Trail - Weald Country Park CM14 5QS Zog Trail - Thames Chase RM14 3NS Read More about the Three Julia Donaldson Trails we have in Essex HERE Peter Rabbit Trail - SS16 6EJ Read More about the Peter Rabbit Trail PLAYGROUNDS WITH FREE PARKING The following playgrounds all have free car parking! For over 90 parks, playgrounds and nature reserves head to our DIRECTORY! Abberton Reservoir, CO2 0EU Oaklands Park, Chelmsford CM2 0JJ Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN Runwell Park, Wickford SS17 7JG Bedfords Park, Romford RM4 1QH Chappel Viaduct, Chappel CO6 2DF Chelmer Park, Chelmsford CM2 8RL Coalhouse Fort Park, Tilbury RM18 8PB Pelican Playground, Chigwell IG7 6DP Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve, Grove Woods Playing Fields, Rayleigh SS6 8UQ Stanway Community Centre, Colchester CO3 ORH Belfairs Woods, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4LR Wat Tyler, Basildon SS16 4UH Tiptree Park, Tiptree CO5 0JL Southchurch Park, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2XB Priory Park, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6ND Hanningield, Billericay CM11 1WT Memorial Park, Wickford SS11 8JE Broomfield Park, Chelmsford CM1 7AH Frinton Park Playing Fields, Frinton-on-Sea CO13 0AN Gunners Park, Shoeburyness SS3 9QB Stoke-by-Nayland Park, Stoke-by-Nayland CO6 4QY

Here are some activities and events happening at parks, playgrounds and nature reserves across Essex in the first week of the summer holidays Abberton Reservoir CO2 0EU 4th - Artists in the Wild - Explore the nature reserve looking for wildlife and beautiful scenery to sketch. The team will provide some tips to help improve your drawing and try watercolours! £8 Bedfords Park, RM4 1QH 1st - Nature Tots Taster Session - Enjoy swinging in the hammock, crafts, digging in the mud kitchen, looking for minibeasts, and so much more! We will finish the session around the campfire. £7 2nd - We're Going on a Bear Hunt Storytime - Settle down in the story circle. Explore the woodland, and get creative with some themed crafts! £5 4th - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 Belfairs Woods, SS9 4LR 3rd - Woodland Explorers - Activities including slackline walking, bug hunting, woodland crafts, tool use, mud kitchen and more. £8 3rd - Marvellous Minibeasts - Be led into the woodland to try your hand at searching for all our creepy critters! Use equipment like bug pots and trays to explore. £5 4th - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 4th - Very Hungry Caterpillar Storytime - Settle down in the story circle. Explore the woodland, and get creative with some themed crafts! £7 Fingringhoe Wick, CO5 7DN 31st - Wild Survival - Do you have what it takes to survive in the wild? Build a den in the woods, create a tasty treat, navigate the reserve with a compass, design your own tribal flag and use tools to practice whittling. £8 1st - Wildlife Explorers - Use our special wildlife adventure kits to find what lives at Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve. Minibeasts, birds, pond creatures, tracks and poo from mammals are just some of the many exciting things we may stumble upon! £7 From 3rd - Summer Trails: Magnificent Mammels - Join us this holiday for a series of fun, fact filled trails, taking you exploring all round the reserve - on this trail discover fascinating facts about our familiar UK mammals! £3 Flatford, CO7 6UL 1st - Summer Nature Day - There will be craft activities to try, trails to follow and nature clues to hunt. The event is a collaboration between the National Trust, RSPB, Dedham Vale AONB, Field Studies Council and other local organisations. Free Hadleigh Park, SS7 2PP Free family activities this summer 1st - Outdoor games and sand pits 2nd - Songs and Stories Under the Tree 3rd - Family Fun Film Night Hanningfield, CM11 1WT 31st - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 2nd - Nature Journals - venture round the nature reserve looking for wildlife and flowers to provide inspiration. We will practice some drawing techniques, have a go with water colours and see what we can make. £8 2nd - Minibeast Safari - Drop in and spend some time hunting for the minibeasts that call Hanningfield their home. £5 3rd - Family Forest Fun - Build a den, climb a tree, hunt for minibeasts, create in the mud kitchen, woodland crafts, camp fire and much more. £7 Harlow Museum and Walled Gardens, CM20 2LF 5th/6th - Wind in the Willows Open Air Theatre - Meet all your favourite characters including loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and wise old Badger as they do their best to keep the mischievous Mr Toad out of trouble. Will they be able to stop the Wicked Weasel from taking over Toad Hall?! £16 Adults, £14 Children Hardie Park, SS17 0PB 3rd - Bounce Inflatables - Outdoor fun and frolics at Hardie Park. Purchase on the day, £5 Harold Wood Park, RM3 0LX 4th - Inflatable Fun - A wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Harrowlodge Park - RM12 4QU 2nd - Inflatable Fun - A wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Highwoods Country Park, CO4 5JR 2nd - Pixies and Fairies - Join the ranger in looking for signs of fairies and pixies in the woods. Create a pixie picnic, make a fairy wind chime and discover the wonders of these small magical folk. £5.50 Hyde Hall - CM3 8ET From 22nd - The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt family trail - Follow the trail around the garden and see if you can spot Lloyd the housefly and some of his friends along the way. Admission charges apply Langdon, SS16 6EJ 2nd - Family Forest Fun - Build a den, climb a tree, hunt for minibeasts, create in the mud kitchen, woodland crafts, camp fire and much more. £7 3rd - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 Markshall Estate, CO6 1TG 31st - 6th - Around the World Japan - Complete a treasure hunt to find facts about animals and plants native to Japan. Meet the storyteller in the Wild Wood who will share a traditional tale that will link to a traditional textile method – weaving. Take part in a weaving activity. Make a kite based on Keiko Koi. Try making a Suzu which is a traditional 17th century Japanese instrument. Make a fan decorated with images of flora such as the cherry blossom. Entry fees The Naze, CO14 8LE 3rd - Seaside Senses - Explore the coast on this 1km wander (distance approximate), with plenty of stops to play and investigate along the way. Find out more about the coast and it’s wildlife with games and activities to engage the senses. £6 Priory Park, SS2 6NB 5th/6th - Anglo Saxon Weekend - Take part in Anglo-Saxon themed crafts and activities, and get hands on with archaeological excavation! £8 adult £6.50 child. Promenade Park, CM9 5JQ 4th - U Fest - Live music, activities, stalls and events for the whole community, focusing on health, wellbeing and fun. Free Royal Gunpowder Mills, EN9 1JY 1st - All Abroad - Get ready for a session packed with train-rides and craft activities that will keep your little ones entertained. £8 Southchurch Park, SS1 2XB 1st - Inflatable Fun - A wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Thames Chase, RM14 3NS 1st/2nd - We Love Bee - We will be exploring the life of the bee and finding out all about their little secrets. There will be bee and flower crafts, stories and learning how to do that Waggle dance. Drop in 3rd - Make a Bug Hotel - Use a hammer and nails to construct your hotel, decorate your box and use of range of materials to make your hotel attractive to a range of small creatures. £15 4th - Circus Skills - Join the Rhythm and Balls Juggling and Circus team at Thames Chase Forest Centre, for a fun, engaging morning session learning circus skills. £8 Thorndon Country Park, CM13 3RZ 5th - Forest Fun for Neurodiverse Children - A day of exploration and play in a peaceful woodland setting awaits! For Neurodiverse children only, aged 5+. Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN 31st - Turn the Tide Tots - Discover and learn through a range of fun wildlife themed activities from bird watching and meadow sweeping to water play and natural crafts. £7 Wat Tyer, SS16 4UH To pre-book call 01268 205267 between 10am-4pm. £6 per child, £4.30 siblings, £2 adults 31st - Cottage & Craft, Hedgehog Hike, Soft Archery 1st - Kite Making, Cottage & Craft, Pond Dipping 2nd - Pond Dipping, Cottage & Craft, 3rd - Campfire Cooking, Soft Archery 4th - Pond Dipping, Cottage & Craft, Weald Country Park, CM14 5QS Belhus Woods RM15 4XJ Thorndon CM13 3RZ Hadleigh Park SS7 2PP Cudmore Grove CO5 8UE Danbury Country Park CM3 4AW Great Notley Country Park CM77 7FS From 22nd July - Animal Mysteries Summer Trail - Help your children find the animals hiding in the parks, count up your answers and send them in to enter our prize draw to win a Colchester Zoo Animal Experience! FREE Valance Park, RM8 3HT From 22nd July - Nuts about Nature Trail - Enjoy the outdoor green spaces as you discover more about the natural world in this fun nature trail. Suitable for ages 3 and up.​ Drop in, FREE. Don't forget to check back for our "What's On in Essex" posts - EVERY month. School Holiday Events in Essex posted every half term and weekly during the summer holidays. See past event posts here. Check out our DIRECTORY for an A-Z of over 90 Essex Parks!

Monday 24th July - Sunday 30th July Here are some activities and events happening at parks, playgrounds and nature reserves across Essex in the first week of the summer holidays Abberton Reservoir CO2 0EU 24th - Bramley Hedge Adventure - Listen to Brambly Hedge story before heading out to meet the mice and complete some challenges on the way. £7 24th - Big Butterfly Count - Use bug hunting nets to try catch butterflies for a closer look! Tick off all the butterflies you find and then make one of your own to take home. £5 Bedfords Park, RM4 1QH 26th - The Gruffalo Storytime - Settle down in the story circle. Explore the woodland, and get creative with some themed crafts! £5 27th - Pirate Adventure - Join us in the woods for a Swashbuckling afternoon of Pirate adventure challenges! £7 Belfairs Woods, SS9 4LR 28th - Drop Off Day - Make shelters, climb trees and use natural materials for crafts. Each group is led by an experienced Forest School leader. £30 28th - Big Butterfly Count & Walk - A walk in the woods and amongst the grassland following our special butterfly route. Learn what species frequent Belfairs Woods whilst taking part in the Big Butterfly Count. £7 28th - Drop in Butterfly Crafts - A butterfly themed, drop-in session. There is a small charge per craft. Fingringhoe Wick, CO5 7DN From 22nd - Summer Trails: Who did that Poo!? On this trail discover fascinating poo facts and try and guess - Who did that Poo!? £3 24th - Over 11s Drop Off Day - Set up tarp shelters and cook snacks on an open fire. The afternoon will be spent using tools and learning woodland crafts. £30 25th - Pollination Sensation - Look for bees, butterflies and other special pollinators using bug hunting nets. Use natural and reused materials to make something to help the pollinators in greenspaces at home. £7 25th - Pond Dipping - Swish special nets in the pond to discover which creatures live in the water. £5 26th - Teddy Bears Picnic - Use the mud kitchen to make the bears a yummy minibeast salad, explore the woods to build dens for the bears to fall asleep in and enjoy some bear-themed woodland craft. £7 Hadleigh Park, SS7 2PP Free family activities this summer 25th - Animal Trail and small farm animals 26th - Kite Making 27th - Family Fun Film Night Hyde Hall - CM3 8ET From 22nd - The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt family trail - Follow the trail around the garden and see if you can spot Lloyd the housefly and some of his friends along the way. Admission charges apply 24th - ZooLab minibeast workshops - Get up close to a range of amazing animals and bugs in these interactive handling workshops with ZooLab. Prebooking £6 24th - Aardman animation workshop - Make your own stop-frame animated film. Create a basic model and bring your stories to life with simple but effective animation techniques. Prebooking £12 25th - Aardman model making - Learn the art of model making with a step-by-step interactive demonstration by an Aardman expert model maker. Prebooking £12 25th - Story Telling - Set out on an interactive storytelling adventure around the garden 26th/27th - Craft Sessions - Get stuck in with our family craft sessions and create something to take home with you. Prebooking £2.50 26th/27th - Face Painting - Choose from a range of designs and transform your face into a character or design to brighten up any occasion. £5 Langdon, SS16 6EJ 26th - Lake Dipping - Hands-on wildlife fun with lake dipping, bird watching and a natural craft to take home. . £7 28th - Woodland Storytime Superworm - Join for a cozy story in the wood reading everyone’s favourite, Superworm! Then take part in some fun wild child activities. £7 The Naze, CO14 8LE 27th - Beach Clean -A guided litter pick along The Naze beaches and the edge of the John Weston nature reserve. Priory Park, SS2 6ND 25th Chalkwell Park, SS0 8NA 27th Ellis Leisure will yet again be hosting their Inflatable Fun Days,with a dedicated section for toddler (recommend ages of 1-3 years old). Providing a wide range of inflatables from 70ft assault courses, ginormous inflatable slides, large bouncy castles, large football dart board and a variety of inflatable games. From £5.50 Thames Chase, RM14 3NS 24th - Family Gardening - A good way to introduce children to gardening tools safely. Join in with weeding, watering and digging through compost for bugs. £3.50 25th/26th - Seaside Fun - Sandcastles to build, games to play, making a seaside flag and other crafts. Pebbles to paint, rock pools to plan, learning about and safety advice from the RNLI. £3.50 Thorndon Country Park, CM13 3RZ 26th - Brilliant Bug Hunting - Explore the woods with us to hunt for all sorts of creepy crawlies, and make your own to take home! £5 Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, SS17 0RN 26th - Family Fun - lay in a hammock, whittle your own stick for roasting marshmallows, strike a fire lighter, build a den or read a story in the cosy scandinavian yurt. £7 26th - Take a leisurely guided stroll around the Nature Park while searching for bats, moths and all things that go bump in the night. £5 Weald Country Park, CM14 5QS Belhus Woods RM15 4XJ Thorndon CM13 3RZ Weald Country Park CM14 5QS Hadleigh Park SS7 2PP Cudmore Grove CO5 8UE Danbury Country Park CM3 4AW Great Notley Country Park CM77 7FS From 22nd July - Animal Mysteries Summer Trail - Help your children find the animals hiding in the parks, count up your answers and send them in to enter our prize draw to win a Colchester Zoo Animal Experience! FREE Valance Park, RM8 3HT From 22nd July - Nuts about Nature Trail - Enjoy the outdoor green spaces as you discover more about the natural world in this fun nature trail. Suitable for ages 3 and up.​ Drop in, FREE. Don't forget to check back for our "What's On in Essex" posts - EVERY month. School Holiday Events in Essex posted every half term and weekly during the summer holidays. See past event posts here. Check out our DIRECTORY for an A-Z of over 90 Essex Parks!

What's on this month at parks across Essex? Check out these great events happening in Essex this summer! There are plenty of amazing events at Parks across Essex in July. Don't forget there will be a separate post for school holiday events, so check back soon! Forest Fun 1st July Bedfords Park, RM4 1QH Have fun in the woodland for the monthly weekend family forest fun. Watch the seasons change while playing, exploring and creating. Whittle a stick, make a mud pie, swing in a hammock, climb a tree, look for minibeasts. £7 Chelmsford Carnvival 2nd July Oaklands Park, CM2 9AQ Oaklands Park plays host to this years carnival finale. Welcome the parades final stop, followed by a afternoon of entertainment that includes Music, Dance, Performances, Stalls, Activities & Food. 2pm - 5pm. Thames Sailing Barge Match 7th July Thameside Nature Discovery Centre, SS17 0RN The Thames Sailing Barge Match, the second oldest organised sailing race in the world, will start around 8am from Mucking No.3 Buoy, just outside the Nature Discovery Centre. Colchester Sports Park Festival of Fun 8th July Colchester Sports Park, CO4 5YX There’ll be family-friendly activities ta8king place all day at the fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities, and you can explore the 76-acre open spaces, traverse the play area, bounce on inflatables (extra cost), get your faces painted (extra cost) and enjoy craft coffee all day. Sunset 90's Ibiza Anthems 14th July Hadleigh Park, SS7 2PP A live DJ sunset session of club anthems from the 90s and early 00s to spark nostagia! Free event, car parking charges apply. 90s Rewind Festival 14th July Harrow Lodge Park, RM11 1JU Taking you back to the 90s with some of your favourite acts of the decade; FIVE, 911, A1, Celena from The Honeyz. Plus a 90s Tribute Act and DJ playing all the top hits of the era! All money raised goes towards local mental health charity Mind in Havering, Barking and Dagenham. From £27.75 Ibiza Orchestra 14th July Castle Park, CO1 1UN Expect to be blown away by the live orchestra performances of unforgettable hits. Whether you’re a seasoned Ibiza veteran or a newcomer to the world of dance music, the Ibiza Orchestra Experience is an event not to be missed. From £24.99 Essex Family Festival 16th July Harrow Lodge Park, RM11 1JU Dick Whittington Pantomime, kids magic and comedy show, tribute shows, princess singalong, dinosaur show, dirds of prey show, Punch and Judy, funfair, petting zoo, reptiles, circus skills workshop, character meet and greets, local craft stalls. Toddler and parent Zone featuring soft play, play beach, kids disco, arts and crafts activities and bubbles! Advance tickets Adults £10, Children 3-7 £5, Under 3s free. Kite Festival 22nd/23rd July The Naze, CO14 8LE An amazing weekend of kite displays by the East Anglian Kite Flyers and kite decorating workshops. Kite decorating workshops £7. Booking essential. Colourscape 22nd/23rd July Castle Park, CO1 1UN Enter a fabulous new world of colour, light and music. Experience a unique tour through many spectacular, sun illuminated, coloured chambers and discover a silver performance Dome. Live music with unusual instruments from around the world can be discovered anywhere within the labyrinth leading you on a journey of the senses! Adults from £7, Children from £5 Feel Good in the Forest 22nd July Thames Chase, RM14 3NS A free day of activities for the whole family. FREE taster sessions of various activities including family yoga, cycle hire, meditation, wildlife walks, children's activities, artist sketch amd walk session, wellbeing and tree walks. Check out our DIRECTORY for an A-Z of over 90 Essex Parks!

Noak Bridge Nature Reserve is a small woodland and grassland reserve, great for dog walkers. The Reserve is home to fantastic wildlife including dragonflies, butterflies and birds. The Reserve is also home to a variety of pond life. 📍 Address Noak Bridge Nature Reserve Eastfield Road Noak Bridge SS15 5GT 🅿️ Parking No - on street parking only There is a small play area with a climbing frame, swings and roundabout. Facilities ☕ Cafe - NO ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop -NO 🚻 Toilets - NO ♿ Accessible - NO, although some solid, wooden paths but limited accessibility 🪑 Picnic Tables - YES 🏃‍♀️ Playground - NO 🐶 Dog Friendly - YES Basildon Council Website

What's on this month at parks across Essex? Check out these great events happening in Essex this month for children and adults alike! Classic Ibiza 9th June Promenade Park, Maldon, CM9 5JQ Get ready for some of the biggest dance anthems of the last 30 years brought to life by a 32 piece orchestra with live vocalists and DJs. Bars, Funfair Amusements, Glitter Makeup Stalls, Street Food & more. From £32.50 Chelmsford Festival - Big Lunch 10th June Central Park, CM2 0RW A great big community picnic to launch the start of Chelmsford Festival. This is a change to meet other local communities, share stories and maybe make a few new friends! Join us for some fun & games. Strong Women Trek 10th June Epping Forest Join the Stylist team for a scenic 22km charity hikes Bring a friend or meet a community of like-minded women and enjoy a day of walking, fresh air and fun. You be walking around lakes, hiking through woodland and meandering down river paths, while raising money for a great charity. All Treks end with a brilliant goody bag and a chance to relax at the event village with refreshments. From £36 Sunset Sessions 10th June Parndon Wood, CM19 4SF Sunset Sessions Live is returning to Parndon Wood Nature Reserve. Three acoustic acts will play sets on the night! £10 Forest Fun for Neurodiverse Children 10th June 17th June Thorndon Country Park, CM13 3RZ A morning of exploration and play in a peaceful woodland setting awaits! For Neurodiverse children only, aged 5+. Please email thorndon@essexwt.org.uk before booking to assess suitability of the session for your child's needs. £7 Beer Festival 16th June The Gibberd Garden, CM17 0NA Enjoy a wide variety of delicious craft beers, food and music in a beautiful outdoor setting. Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or just looking for a fun day out, there’s something for everyone at this festival. Don’t miss out on the fun. Adults £7.50 Outdoor Cinema 16th - 18th June Hylands Estate, CM2 8FS Adventure Cinema is bringing big screen favourites to the stunning grounds of the Hylands Estate. This spectacular open-air cinema tour has an eclectic mix of classics, musicals, big blockbusters and family favourites including Elvis, Encanto the Greatest Showman and Mama Mia. Adults from £15.50, Children £9.50 Nature in the Gardens 18th June Gardens of Easton Lodge, CM6 2BB Bug hunt, pond dipping, wildflower walks and owl pellet dissection lead by an experienced biologist. Beekeepers will show visitors about the life of their bees, with a show hive. Children will also enjoy hearing fairy stories from author Evelyn Foster and seeing the treehouse; and there will be a children’s trail and craft activities. Adults from £5.50 Folk Festival 22nd - 25th June Leigh Library Gardens, SS9 2DA The Leigh Folk Festival team return for the 31st edition this June 22-25 within the walls of picturesque Leigh Library Gardens and surrounding venues. 4 days of free entertainment including; music, dance, poetry, comedy, food, crafters, workshops. Essex Pride Central Park, CM2 0RW 24th June This is an event for the whole community, and its more than just a huge party. Pride inspires everyone to embrace equality, and demonstrates that people from all walks of life can join together and celebrate diversity. Food and Drink Festival Castle Park, CO1 1UN 24th - 25th June Have a picnic, listen to the music and stroll around the stalls trying some of the locally produced goodies. Adults £6, Under 14s Free Walkies at Hyde Hall 29th June Hyde Hall, CM3 8ET Explore RHS Garden Hyde Hall as we welcome visitors for a special Walkies at Hyde Hall evening with your four-legged friend. The garden is open between 5.30pm and 8pm so that you and your canine companion can enjoy the beautiful outdoor areas of the garden packed with horticultural delights. Adults £7, Children £4, Dogs Free. Don't forget to check back for our "What's On in Essex" posts - EVERY month. School Holiday Events in Essex posted every half term and during the summer holidays. See past event posts here.

Take a stroll in the deep, dark, wood at Thorndon Country Park in Brentwood. Saturday 20th May 2023 11am - 3pm 📍Address Thorndon Country Park Brentwood CM13 3RZ 🅿️ Parking Up to 1 Hour - £2.50 Up to 2 Hours - £3.80 Up to 4 Hours - £5.10 All day - £6.30 Meet the Gruffalo! There will also be woodland stories, bushcraft activities, circus skills, magicians and bird of prey displays. This event is hosted by Essex Wildlife Trust and Thorndon Country Park Explore Essex Website Gruffalo Trail The Gruffalo Trail consists of several wooden character figures from the Classic Gruffalo tale. Pick up a map from the Countryside Centre at Thorndon North for a small charge. The self guided trail takes around 30-45 minutes and is almost always muddy! More Thorndon Country Park Thorndon Country Park is the home to the Gruffalo trail. There are also wonderful woodland walks and biking trails at this fantastic country park. Facilities ☕ Cafe - YES ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop - YES 🚻 Toilets - YES - baby change and accessible toilets ♿ Accessible - YES - accessible parking, toilets, trail is not accessible 🪑 Picnic Tables - YES 🏃‍♀️ Playground - NO 🐶 Dog Friendly - YES