The river at Roding Valley Nature Reserve is home to wonderful wildlife. The nature reserve is great for dog walks, especially for dogs who love water. 📍Address Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve Grange Farm Centre, Grange Farm Lane Chigwell Essex IG7 6DP 🅿️ Parking There are two main car parks, one next to the reserve office at the Grange Farm Pavilion off the High Road, Chigwell and one next to the David Lloyd Centre off Roding Lane (IG7 6BQ). Facilities ☕ Cafe - NO ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop - NO 🚻 Toilets - YES accessible and baby change facilities ♿ Accessible - YES - accessible parking, there is a mix of un-surfaced and surfaced paths, some of which are suitable for wheelchairs throughout the reserve 🪑 Picnic Tables - YES 🏃‍♀️ Playground - YES 🐶 Dog Friendly - YES Essex Wildlife Trust Website

The Gibberd Garden have wonderfully maintained lawns, streams, an arboretum and wild gardens. 📍Address The Gibberd Garden Marsh Lane Harlow CM17 0NA 🅿️ Parking Free, admission charges apply Adults - £5 Concession (over 60s/Students) - £4 Children 5-16 years - £1 Under 5s - Free Facilities ☕ Cafe - YES ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop - YES 🚻 Toilets - YES - baby change and accessible toilets ♿ Accessible - YES - accessible parking, toilets, step-free access to tearoom and the House, level paths in immediate area around the House, gardens sloping 🪑 Picnic Tables - YES 🏃‍♀️ Playground - YES - tree house, climbing frame, slide, balance posts 🐶 Dog Friendly - NO The Gibberd Garden Website

The Three Shells Lagoon is very family friendly. The lagoon is always filled with water for splashing and the beach is sandy. There is a small playground most suitable for toddlers and preschoolers. There are toilets and showers close by. There are several beach front food stalls selling traditional seaside grub. 📍 Address Western Esplanade Southend SS1 1EE 🅿️ Parking Seafront Car Parking information Facilities ☕ Cafe - YES - Three Shells Restaurant close by, alongside other beachside stalls ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop - NO 🚻 Toilets - YES - baby change and accessible toilets ♿ Accessible - YES - accessible parking, toilets and beach front walks 🪑 Picnic Tables - YES - benches 🏃‍♀️ Playground - YES - slide, pulley system, climbing frame 🐶 Dog Friendly - YES No dogs are allowed on Southend’s beaches between 1st May and 30th September Visit Essex Website

Essex Wildlife Trust's Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discovery is in Hornchurch Country Park. There are trails for dog walking, cycling and running within the park. 📍Address Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discovery Centre Hornchurch Country Park Squadrons Approach Hornchurch RM12 6DF (Sat Nav RM12 6TS) 🅿️ Parking Free car parking Facilities ☕ Cafe - YES ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop - YES 🚻 Toilets - YES - baby change and accessible toilet ♿ Accessible - YES - accessible toilets. The Ingrebourne Valley Greenway is a hardened pathway 4km in length and is suitable for bicycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs. The trail runs through the site from Hornchurch Stadium, north of Hacton Lane, to Albyns Farm in Hornchurch Country Park. 🪑 Picnic Tables - YES 🏃‍♀️ Playground - YES - swings, climbing frame, roundabout, seesaw 🐶 Dog Friendly - YES but no dogs in discovery centre Essex Wildlife Trust Website