PR Trip Here at Parks of Essex we have tonnes of great play areas to inspire you. If you are looking for a day out in Essex, we have you covered! If you have animal loving kids, who also love a good playground, you need to check out Hasty's Adventure Farm ! We were kindly invited along to Hasty's to review the adventure farm and could not recommend it more! As well traditional farmyard animals and sweet animal feeding opportunities, the play areas at Hasty's are brilliant for children of all ages. Highlights include the large covered adventure playground suitable for school aged children to teenagers. There is also plenty of play areas for toddlers and preschoolers including sand play, water play, ride on vehicles, swings, slides and climbing frames.   Where is Hasty's Adventure Farm? Hasty's Adventure Farm is a top attraction in the seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea. The address is Hasty's Adventure Farm, West Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1AG Maps Link Animals at Hasty's Farm Firstly the animals! At Hasty’s Adventure Farm there are lots of friendly animals including alpacas, sheep and lambs, goats, pygmy goats, pigs, calves, guinea pigs, chickens and runner ducks. There is an inside barn, grassy paddocks and an animal contact zone where you can get up close and even feed them. Bags of animal feed can be purchased from the reception shop for £1.50.  Feed is for the goats, sheep and alpacas only.  Covered Adventure Play Park The majority of Hasty's is open farm land. Hasty's covered adventure playground is a great shelter from the rain and sun. The play structure inside the covered play area is particularly impressive! The play structure is one of the tallest we have seen and the entire wooden structure is linked. There are so many ways to play - several different rope climbs, balancing equipment, hammocks, tunnels and several tunnel slides. The covered play area is recommended for ages 7+. My six year old had no problem at all and my four year old enjoyed it with assistance. Play Areas at Hastys Other play areas at Hasty's include the large sandpit with several sand toys available to use including buckets, spades and plenty of diggers/construction vehicles. There is also a water pump and water run within the sandpit play area. The water runs down to moat area. The water play was very popular with children and adults alike. There is also a ride on tractor section, close to the sandpit. This tractor play area has several different types of ride on toys to suit toddlers to preschool aged children. For older children there are go-karts, which can pick up some speed. There are chariot style go-karts that smaller children can sit and be cycled around in. At Hasty's there is a small, indoor softplay suitable for children under 5 years old. Food and Drink at Hastys There is a takeaway snack kiosk at Hasty's which sells hot and cold drinks, ice creams, toasted paninis, toasted sandwiches, hot dogs, crisps and other snacks. Picnics are also permitted. There is lots of space for picnic blankets and also plenty of picnic benches throughout the park. If you are looking for somewhere covered to eat and drink, head to the large, covered adventure playground, where there are benches surrounding the play structure. Accessibility at Hastys The farm is accessible, being laid to short grass and gravely paths. There is a slope in the middle of the farm. There is a fully accessible toilet and there is a separate baby changing room. Entry prices Adults and Children aged 4 to 16 years from £9.95 off-peak and £12.95 peak, Toddlers aged 1 to 3 years from £6.95 off-peak and £8.95 peak. Book Tickets We had a great time at Hasty's! Hasty's Adventure Farm has the perfect mix of animals and play areas, great for playground loving kids.

Coggeshall Recreation Ground (known locally as The Rec) is a popular play area in the village of Coggeshall, between Braintree and Colchester. Coggeshall Recreation Ground has large playing fields and also a popular and well equiped, predominently wooden children's play park. The playground at the Rec in Coggeshall is suitable for all ages and has a nature theme. Where is Coggeshall Recreation Ground? 📍 Coggeshall Rec East Street Coggeshall Essex CO6 1SW Maps Link 🅿️ Parking  - Where to park for Coggeshall Recreation Ground There is free on street parking along East Street (opposite the Co-op). Play equipment at Coggeshall Rec The playground at Coggeshall Rec is a good size and the space has been fully maximised with a lot of play equipment. The play area is loosely divided into sections for toddlers and preschoolers and also play equipment for junior aged children. This is a great play area for families of children with differing ages and/or abilities as there really is play equipment to suit all! Play equipment for smaller children include a climbing frame, roundabout, seesaw and baby swings. Play equipment for junior aged children include a climbing frame, long swing, spinning swing and balancing equipment. There are a selection of balancing 'mushrooms', wooden insects and also fun, interactive boards including a maze and insect identification. The only accessible play equipment is the infloor trampoline. Are there Toilets at Coggeshall Recreation Ground ? There are no public toilets at Coggeshall Recreation Ground. THe closest pulic toilets are at 25 Stoneham Street, Coggeshall, Colchester, CO6 1UH - approximately 6 minutes walk away. Where to eat and drink near Coggeshall Recreation Ground There are no catering facilities at Coggeshall Recreation Ground. There is a Co-op Supermarket across the road from Coggeshall Recreation Ground. Other playgrounds close to Martello Play Area Check out the Parks of Essex MAP to find more playgrounds close by!   Check out the Parks of Essex Directory - A-Z of over 100 Essex parks   Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ❌ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌ 🚻 Toilets ❌ ♿ Accessible  ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ❌ ⏰ 30 minutes to 1 hour Last updated October 2025

Where to go Pumpkin Picking in Essex - Halloween 2025 Guide Essex is alive with Halloween spirit, showcasing a varied selection of events and trails appealing to all ages. From haunted houses and ghostly tours to vibrant pumpkin festivals, the options for celebration are endless. Whether you seek hair-raising thrills, spooky entertainment, or family-friendly fun, these Halloween events and trails in Essex promise unforgettable experiences. Parks of Essex have put together a list of The BEST Halloween and Half Term Events in Essex! Discover Halloween events including Essex pumpkin patches (including an Essex pumpkin patch with FREE entry. This guide also contains Halloween events, Halloween trails and free October half term events in Essex. So gather your family and friends, don your costumes, and embark on an adventure through the enchanting and eerie side of Essex this Halloween! Halloween events and Pumpkin Patches are often very popular. It is recommended you book well in advance. Our guide to Essex Pumpkin Patches features ticket prices (correct at time of publishing - September 2025) and links to book tickets. Please check with the organiser before you travel. More events will be added as the month goes on so make sure to check back regularly. Pumpkin Patches in Essex Visiting a pumpkin patch is more than just gathering pumpkins; it’s a full experience that celebrates the spirit of fall. Many patches offer a range of activities, from hayrides to corn mazes and petting zoos. Each activity adds to the fun, making it a memorable outing, especially for families. The Parks of Essex Pumpkin Patch Guide features pumpkin patches across Essex. Check out pumpkin patches, pumpkin fields and pumpkin forests in Basildon, Colchester, Bishops Stortford, Southend-on-Sea and Chelmsford. Some pumpkin patches also host SEN sessions and are labelled accordingly. There are even some great pumpkin patches which are NEW for 2025! Grab your family and friends and prepare for an adventure at the top pumpkin patches in Essex! Hatters Farm Takely, Bishop Stortford Hatter's Farm is a great Pumpkin Patch in Bishops Stortford. We visited Hatters Farm last Autumn and highly recommend! This year there is over 75 different varieties of pumpkin and squash at the Pumpkin Patch, As well as the large patch, there is also a hay bale mountain and maze, Hatter's haunted mad house, live actors and indoor farm play area. Extra paid activities include the pumpkin cannon, maize maze and face painting. There are also pumpkin nights events, which also include live music! Daytime pumpkin patch entry from £4.50 to £6.50. Pumpkin nights from £9.65. The patch opens for weekends starting from the 4th October and is also open throughout half term week. Pumpkin Patch Pumpkin Night Event Hatters Farm. Photo from 2024. Cobbs Farm FREE ENTRY Cobbs Farm is great pumpkin patch located just outside MaldonCobbs Farm is a working farm, which also grows all it's own pumpkins. Each year Cobbs Farm opens for a few days and has FREE entry to the Patch. This year the patch is open on 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th October and also from 24th to 31st October. There is also free parking and no booking required! Pumpkin Patch Prittlewell Pumpkin Patch Southend This autumn Priory Park in Essex is hosting a Southend pumpkin patch which is NEW for 2025! Visit on the 25th or 26th October to choose a pumpkin, meet some farmyard friends and complete the spooky scavenger hunt! There is also face painting, crafting, games, Halloween potion making and a children's trail. Adults £8, Children £6 plus booking fee. Under 3 go free. Pumpkin Patch SEN Friendly Sessions Cammas Hall Farm Hatfield Broad Oak Cammas Hall Farm is one of our favourite Essex Farms! In the Summer the farm has incredible pick your own fruit. In the autumn the farm is transformed for Halloween! Visit the world's only erupting Pumpcano at the Hatfield Broad Oak Pumpkin Patch. Cammas Hall also hosts SEN friendly sessions. Tickets from £6.95. Explore the Halloween Maize Maze! £6. Pumpkin Patch Nights Resurrected includes music tribute acts! Adults £14.95, Children £9.95. Halloween events start from 4th October. Pumpkin Patch SEN Friendly Sessions Pumpkin Night Event Scotts of Southend Rochford Scotts of Southend garden centre has a great indoor pumpkin barn. NEW for 2025 there is also an outdoor pumpkin farm. Halloween tickets include access to both and the maize maze. Each ticket includes one free medium pumpkin. The event is 100% dog friendly! There is also a twilight pumpkin party event! Weekends and Half Term £10 online, £15 on the door. Weekdays not in half term £7.50. Twilight Pumpkin Party tickets £12. The Halloween festivities start from 1st October at Scott's! Pumpkin Patch   Pumpkin Night Event Indoor Pumpkin Barn at Scotts of Southend. Photos from 2023. Hurley Pumpking Forest Battlesbridge Hurley's Farm in Battlesbridge is home to Hurley’s Christmas Tree Farm , Pumpkin Patch & Hurley’s Pumpkin Farm. Hurley's pumpkin farm is full of interesting squashes and gourds. Dates available throughout October weekends & Half-Term for Squash and Pumpkin Picking at the Pumpkin Farm. Tickets for up to 4 people from £12 - £20. Twilight sessions also available! Pumpkin Patch   Pumpkin Night Event The Green Barn Farm Pumpkin Field Benfleet The Halloween offering at The Green Barn Farm Pumpkin Field is bigger and better than ever this year! Access to the pumpkin field includes one pumpkin per person , access to the maize maze, live actors, tractor rides and entry to the haunted barn. Look out for live actors and stilt walkers. Adult tickets £13.04, Children £9.39, Family Ticket two adults two children £40.69. The patch opens for weekends starting from the 4th October and everyday during October half term. Pumpkin Patch   Foxes Farm Produce Colchester and Basildon Foxes Farm have two sites in Essex - there is a pumpkin patch in Basildon and another pumpkin patch in Colchester. As well as pumpkin picking, there is a pumpkin run and pumpkin nights running at the Colchester site. Tickets for up to 4 people from £25 to £28 plus booking fee. Tickets include 4 free munchkin pumpkins. Pumpkin nights from £7 to £9 per person plus booking fee. The patch opens for weekends starting from the 4th October and everyday from 18th - 31st October. Pumpkin Patch Pumpkin Night Event Farmer Scott's Farmer Scott's has a pumpkin patch in Brentwood, Essex. As well as a pick your own pumpkin patch, there is a maize maze and brand-new, huge indoor Pumpkin Barn filled with spooky themed displays, photo station and gift shop. Farmer Scott's is dog friendly. Tickets £10 each, includes one free medium pumpkin. Pumpkin Patch Otto's Patch Braintree The Otto's Braintree Pumpkin Patch is home to the pumpkin house, pumpkin free, games area and decorated f araway forest with a fun quiz. Otto's Patch opens on weekends from 4th October and every day from 23rd to 31st October. Pumpkin Patch   Lathcoats Galleywood, Chelmsford Lathcoats Farm hosts a great Pumpkin Festival! Access to the pumpkin festival includes outdoor games, plenty of photo opportunities and lots of pumpkins. Take part in the Halloween Hunt and stamp your Lathcoats Passport as you visit spooky locations. Booking details to be announced soon. Pumpkin Patch   Pumpkin Picking Village - Marsh Farm South Woodham Ferrers Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park is home to a large pumpkin picking patch this Halloween. SEN Friendly Pumpkin Picking and dog friendly pumpkin days and nights! Tickets from £3.50 - £7.50 per person. The patch is open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday starting from the 3rd October and everyday from 17th - 31st October. Pumpkin Patch Pumpkin Night Event Hasty's Pumpkin Week Clacton-on-Sea Hasty's Farm has it's usual farm offerings this Halloween with the addition of a toddler friendly pumpkin trail and patch! Tickets from Adult £10.95, Child £10.95, Toddler £7.45 VIP experience also available! Pumpkin Patch Old MacDonalds Farm  Halloween Festival from 25th October until 2nd November. Plenty to see and do... as well as the usual farm animals check out the haunted house, scary stories, ghost trail and Halloween tattoos, free pumpkin for every child. Admission applies. Pumpkin Patch   Book Event FREE (and £1) Halloween Events in Essex for 2025 Halloween Parade - Southend Seafront 25th The Seafront parade will feature exciting entries for the whole family including dance performances, a lighting spectacular and giant lit up puppets made by local artists. Spooky Trail - Various Country Parks - Belhus Woods, Great Notley, Danbury, Thorndon, Weald, Cudmore Grove 18th - 2nd Find the spooky characters and count them to help the rangers complete the spell to send the creepy characters home? Pick up or download a free Spooky Trail sheet. Halloween Trail - High Woods Country Park 25th - 1st Follow the trail map and find the eight ghosts of High Woods Country Park hiding out in the woods. They will reveal the secret word. Whisper the word to the staff at the Visitor Centre to claim your ghost hunters’ reward. Trail £1 from High Woods Visitor Centre). No booking required Halloween High-Jinks – Salary Brook 31st Join an Autumnal walk in the woods then make your own Witches or Wizards Broom from natural materials. Spooky Animal Trail - Garon Park The first ever Halloween Week at Wellbeing Garon Park! Join the trail and hunt for hidden animal skeletons along the woefully wicked walkway. Once found you can collect your Halloween certificate. Along the way enjoy photo opportunities and creepy crafts. There will be extra activities on Opening day Monday 27th October Including hot chocolate, face painting and spellbounding stories. No need to book. £1 minimum donation (£3 on opening day 27th which includes hot chocolate and extras. Autumn Activities - Hadliegh Park There are activities to suit all the family at Hadleigh Park including dog friendly walking trails, Hadleigh Park playground and horse riding. Hadleigh Park is also perfect for bike lovers. There is a mountain bike course, bike hire, bike workshop and bike wash. Free Autumn Activities include Autumn Suncatches (28th), Fir cone bird feeders (29th), litter pick and glow in the dark badge craft (30th). Halloween Pumpkin Hunt - Colchester City Centre 13 pumpkins are hiding in shops across Colchester, each with a secret letter. Collect them all, crack the mystery word and you could win a family ticket to Shrek the Musical at Charter Hall this Christmas. Trail runs from 25th October - 1st November. Email your code word to hello@ourcolchester.co.uk Family Half Term Activiites - Saffron Walden Town Hall 28th October at Saffron Walden Town Hall! Join members of the cast of Saffron Hall’s pantomime Dick Whittington for a fun-packed session; full of games, music, audience participation and much more! Storytime with Saffron Walden Library.  There willalso be free face painting and get creative with cat and dog mask making by Saffron Walden Castle Trick or Treat Trail - Ingatestone High Street Trick or Treat Trail along the High Street in Ingatestone between 10am and 4pm. There is a great play area just behind the High Street in Ingatestone at Fairfield Playing Fields . Make sure you stop by along the route! Ingatestone Play Area Shenfield Spooktacular - Hutton Road Shenfield 31st October between 3pm and 6pm. Festival of Frights - Brentwood High Street 1st November between 2pm and 5pm. Halloween Events in Essex Pets Corner Pets' Corner is a lovely little farm, which is located in the grounds of Harlow Town Park, Essex. It is FREE to enter Pet's Corner Farm , making this a great budget friendly day out in Essex. FREE day pout There are also two great play areas at Town Park - Pet's Corner Playground and the Playground at Town Park. Halloween Event - join the Ghost hunt, Halloween Crafts, Creepy Crawly Animal Experience. Full details, including prices to be announced soon via the Pets Corner Facebook Page . Danbury Country Park Spooky Forest School - 30th Enjoy amazing activities such as potion and broomstick making, cook ghoulish marshmallows on the camp fire, take part in a scary Scavenger Hunt. Sessions must be booked online in advance. £10 for first child, £6 for siblings. Book Event Bedfords Park 28th Nature Tots Autumn Special £8.80 28th Wizarding Wands - Follow the trail to the woodland, where wizards await!  Whittle your perfect autumn wand and craft a spell £5.60 Book Event Wizards, Witches and Wonder Chelmsford Museum at Oaklands Park 28th - 31st Make magnificent magic wands, spooktacular spell jars, ghastly origami ghosts and decipher ancient runes and more! Dress up like a Witch or Wizard and meet the Witchfinder General. £5 Members, £6 Non-members, one free adult per child, additional adults pay the museum admission fee of £4 unless they hold a membership. Book Event Belfairs Woods There are plenty of amazing ancient woodland to explore at Belfairs Woods in Leigh-on-Sea ! Children will love den building, splashing in the streams and puddles and also the challenging wooden adventure playground!   28th  Den Building for Families £5.70 29th  Belfairs Creepy Crawlies £5.70 30th  Woodland Wizards and Forest Fairies £8.80 31st  Wilder Holiday Club £37 Book Event Halloween at Audley End 25th - 2nd Follow the quest to so lve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. Join Audley End’s very own Victorian ghost hunters. Find out how the Victorians tried to speak with spirits from beyond the grave. Admission applies. Book Event Secret Lives of Pumpkins at Hyde Hall Pumpkin carvings, meet creepy-crawlies with Zoolab and explore the pumpkin trail, enjoy a magical autumn storytelling walk and take part in pumpkin-themed crafts. Entrance to the gardens Adults £15.85, Children £7.95, Under 5s Free 25th - 2nd Pumpkin Garden Trail - find giant pumpkin letters and see scarecrows showcasing different veggies used in the past for carving. 27th Ethical animal encounter and meet the likes of snakes, spiders and snails. £6 + admission - booking required 30th and 31st Pumpkin Crafts £2.50 + admission - booking required 29th Pumpkin carving demonstration Book Event The Guess How Much I Love You Trail is running throughout October at Hyde Hall Hanningfield Reservoir 29th - Hanningfield Sorcerer Seekers and Wand Whittlers £8.80 30th - Nature Tots Autumn Special £8.80 31st - Spooky Spells and Pongy Potion - A walk through the woods searching for spooky spell and pongy potion ingredients and the perfect wand! Look out for weird and wonderful wildlife, then make your wand and cast your spell. £5.60 Book Event Langdon Nature Discovery Centre 27th Halloween Spooktactular -Spooktacular fun this half term with spooky science experiments, tasty treats cooked on the fire, wand whittling, potion making, and creepy bug hunting! £11 27th Birds of Prey Evening £12 19th Autumn Family Forest Fun - look for mini beasts, get making in the mud kitchen, build dens, climb trees, be creative and enjoy a campfire £8.80 29th Halloween Tots Special £8.80 31st Wizarding Wands for Families £5.60 Book Event Colchester Zoo 17th, 18th, 24th, 25th, 27th, 29th, 31st Trail of Terror. Face your fears along a 1.5 mile route plus a train ride you won’t want to remember! Look out for clowns, zombies and creatures from the swamps of New Orleans, all put together by our CZS in-house team – Zoo team by day and scarers by night! Age 12+ recommended . Tickets from £25 Book Event Halloween at Southend Planetarium Planetarium shows suitable for all ages! 29th Journey into Space, Meet the Meteorites, Howl at the Moon, Monstrous Myths, from £7-£10 per person Book Event Halloween at Wat Tyler Country Park 31st and 1st Spooky Train Adventure! Includes creepy crawly experience. £7 per person 27th, 28th, 31st Holiday Half Hours - Badge Making £1.50, Pond Dipping £6.90, Soft Archery £6.90 29th 30th Watty Wood Activities - outdoor trail, make paper pumpkins, search for creepy creatures, make mini spiders webs. £8.05 per child Book Event Visit the FREE play park at Wat Tyler and take part in Halloween Activities including a trail and spooky train adventure Autumn Colours at Daws Hall Nature Reserve 26th and 2nd Entry by donation! Activities for children at this beautiful Nature Reserve. No booking required. Book Event Halloween at Thames Chase This Forestry England park has so much going on and is great for families. A new inclusive play area opened this year. Thames Chase is also home to a great Stick Man Trail 28th Creepy Halloween Crafts - Unleash your creativity with a range of creepy crafts perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit. Ideal for children and families! £3 29th Halloween Party with Party Monsters, This 2 hour party includes magic, bubbles, snow, games, puppet show, balloons and loads more! £10 31st Creepy Animal Encounters with Eden Oasis - This Halloween season, dare to get up close with the creepy, the crawly, and the curiously cool! £10, Under 3s £3 Book Event Fright Fantastic at Adventure Island Southend 25th - 31st Trick-o r-Treating, Halloween treasure hunt, eerie entertainment, free face painting, best-dressed competition with exciting prizes. Book Event Halloween at the Gardens of Easton Lodge 19th Fun for families, including a spooky trail and games. There will be plant and craft stalls and produce from the Gardens on sale. Adults £6, Kids FREE Book Event Thameside Nature Park Essex Wildlife Trust's Thameside Nature Park is amazing for families, walkers and little explorers. The reserve has nature hides to sit and observe birds and nature from, walking trails and a visitor centre with a viewing deck. Small children will love the boat themed playground and there is also a wooden assault course for bigger kids. Halloween in the Woods   29th Enjoy a twilight evening in the woods at Thameside! Venture through a haunted trail, craft your own ghostly lanterns, hunt for some creepy crawlies, and gather around the campfire* for a spooky storytime that will send shivers down your spine. £8.80 Woodland Witches and Wizards - 29th Craft your own magical wand, design a fairy house using nature-inspired materials, enjoy mixing up potions, listen to a story, and even have a campfire! £8.80 Book Event Epping Ongar Railway 25th, 26th, 29th, 30th 31st Ghost Trail - The Ghost Train service is planned to be operated by a steam locomotive from North Weird to Ongar and from Epping Forest to North Weird. A herita ge diesel locomotive will operate the train from Ongar to Epping Forest. Adults from £20, Children from £10 Book Event The Hive Nature School 31st Outdoor Play Halloween Special - spooky themed sensory play, nature crafts, potion making and plenty of time to explore outdoors in this beautiful setting. Suitable for children aged approximately 12 months up until 7 years old. £15 per child and £3 per each additional sibling. Book Event Autumn at Barleylands 25th - 2nd Halloween F estival - singing, dancing and a spellbinding story time with Skittleman, Barley and the Pumpkin. There will also be pumpkin decorating, a spooky maze, as well as all the usual farm favourites. From £13.95 per person, Under 2s £3.50 Spooky Nights - Skittleman disco, unlimited fairground rides, treat or treating around the Village, spooky maze, indoor play barn, creepy crawly critter shows, visit animals, Halloween-themed characters, Halloween light displays . £18.50 per person, £5 under 2s. Book Event Chigborough Halloween Maze   27th/28th Halloween themed six acre maize maze. The afternoon session will not be as scary as the evening session. Scary sessions features live actors and themed dark fairy tale zones. Adults £16.50, Children £15 Book Event The Naze The Naze nature reserve  has beautiful, coastal walking trails. It is the home of the iconic Naze Tower. The Naze cliffs are also brilliant for fossil hunting! Check out our Guide - Where to find Fossils in Essex . There are also great events held by Essex Wildlife Trust. 27th and 28thFamily Fossil Discovery £4.50 27th Nature Tots Special £8.80 28th Magic Wands and Potions £6.70 29th Seashore Science and Discovery £6.70 Book Events Halloween High-Jinks at High Woods Country Park 31st Join in our spooky Halloween craft activities and ghoulish ghost walk, all finished off with hot chocolate and marshmallows around the fire. £6.20 Book Event Abberton Reservoir 29th Wilder Holiday Club - Drop off event - f ire lighting to den building, natural crafts to tool use, pond dipping and animal tracking. £37 Book Event Hive in the Forest 25th Halloween and Hot Dogs - Make a nature lantern, follow a Halloween trail and enjoy some campfire treats. £12 per child and £6 per adult 31st Witches and Wizards Woodland Storytime, based on the beloved classic Room on the Broom £12 per child Book Event Adventure Cinema at Hylands House Screenings take place in the Writtle events field, behind Hylands Adventure Castle. Fancy dress encouraged! Also enjoy a spooky soundtrack before the film, featuring creepy classics and Halloween anthems. 17th Scary Movie (18) 18th Hocus Pocus (PG) 19th The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) Book Event Museum of Power 31st Arts, Crafts and other Spooky Activities. The Miniature Railway will be running a night train (charge of £2 per adult and £1 per child) and the Steam Pump Tea Room open for food and refreshments. As well as free entry to the Model Village, there is free entry to the Museum and free car parking. Adults £8, CHildren £5, Under 3s £1 Book Event Halloween Train 31st Spooky and fun-filled Halloween train ride from Manningtree to Harwich Town. Departs Manningtree at 4:00pm and arrive at Harwich Town at 4:22pm. After some eerie activities and a most inventive costume competition, return to Manningtree at 4:48pm. Each child will receive a special Halloween-themed goodie bag. Book Event Fingringhoe Wick 27th Spooktacular Fun - Carve a pumpkin and try a delicious pumpkin treat cooked over the fire. Whittle a magical wand. Mix and grind smelly, natural ingredients to concoct a magic potion of your own. Explore the reserve to find all the hidden wooden pumpkins. £13 30th - Wilder Holiday Club - Drop off event - f ire lighting to den building, natural crafts to tool use, pond dipping and animal tracking. £37 Book Event Nuclear Wild Forest 28th 30th October Just Get Over It 90 minutes of land and water obstacles. Hot chocolate and marshmallow treat. £22 plus booking fee Book Event Hedingham Castle 24th Tales in the Tower: Ghost Stories by M. R. James. Suitable for 14+ £18 Book Event Plants Galore Spooky Maze! Halloween fun with mini golf, giant games and a fantastic magic show. Every ticketed child receives their very own pumpkin. Children £14.99 Adult £4.99 Book Event L ee Valley Animal Adventure Park Halloween Festival - Put on your spookiest costume and explore our devilishly decorated farm. Enjoy thrilling LIVE shows. H aunted walk-throughs, pumpkin picking patch, adventure play area, arts & crafts, farm yard fun. From £11.99 Book Event Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex

NEW for Autumn 2025! There is a BRAND NEW wooden character trail! Parks of Essex has all the details including where to find the NEW Brambly Hedge Trail, where to park for the Brambly Hedge Trail, how long the trail is and facilities nearby. This guide has everything you need to know about the Epping Forest Brambly Hedge Character Trail. But did you know that as well as the London/Essex Brambly Hedge Trail, there is also a Brambly Hedge Trail at Abberton Reservoir ? The trail at Abberton Reservoir is smaller, with 7 characters from the book series to find. The author of the classic Brambly Hedge stories is Jill Barklem. Jill Barklem spent a lot of time in and around Epping Forest and the beautiful woodlands inspired the Brambly Hedge tales. There are seventeen carved, wooden sculptures to find along the route of the Brambly Hedge Trail. All seventeen sculptures are hand-carved from sustainably sourced wood. Where is the Brambly Hedge Trail? The Brambly Hedge Trail has now opened in Epping Forest. The Brambly Hedge Trail starts at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre in Chingford. Chingford is a London Borough and the Visitor Centre is based just outside of Essex. The address for the Epping Forest Visitor Centre is - 6 Ranger's Road, Chingford E4 7QH. Epping Forest is a LARGE forest and there are several visitor centres, so make sure you navigate yourself to the right one! Maps Link Here . The trail can be followed between the Epping Forest Visitor Centre and Connaught Water. There is an easy access, circular trail around the lake at Connaught Water - the Willow Trail. Where to Park for the Brambly Hedge Trail There are several parking options for the Brambly Hedge Trail. There is accessible parking bays for blue badge holders in front of the Epping Forest Visitor Centre - 6 Ranger's Road, Chingford E4 7QH. There are also a few car parking spaces for permit holders only. There is a larger car park opposite the visitor centre, with 120 parking spaces - Barn Hoppit Car Park, Rangers Road, Chingford, E4 7QH. Car park charges - 1 Hour - £1.75, 2 Hours - £3, 3 Hours - £4.50, 6 Hours - £7. Pay via RingGo - Location Code: 36109 How Much Does the Brambly Hedge Trail Cost? The Brambly Hedge Trail is FREE at entry! Follow the path from the Epping Forest Visitor Centre to Connaught Water. Trail maps and a trail pencil is available to buy from Epping Forest Visitor Centre for £3. The map includes a tick list for each sculpture. Once all 17 sculptures have been found, children can collect a Brambly Hedge sticker from the Epping Forest Visitor Centre. How long is the Brambly Hedge Trail? The trail is 1.5 miles long and predominantly flat. Is the Brambly Hedge Trail Accessible and Buggy Friendly? The Brambly Hedge Trail follows the Gloucester Ride between the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Chingford and Connaught Water. The trail is generally flat with a short incline close to Connaught Water. The path around the lake is flat. though once there you’ll find a surfaced path around the lake. The pathway around the lake can be be muddy in wet weather. Each of the wooden characters feature their names in braille. There is also a wooden tactile panel at the back of each sculpture. Epping Forest Visitor Centre The Epping Forest Visitor Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. The Epping Forest Visitor is closed on Mondays. The visitor centre is dog friendly. The visitor centre has several free exhibitions exploring the wildlife and history of Epping Forest. There is also a small gift shop at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre. The visitor centre is based on two floors with lift access to galleries on the first floor. There are great views of the forest from the covered balcony on the first floor. Are there toilets at the Brambly Hedge Trail There are accessible toilet and baby change facilities in the Epping Forest Visitor Centre. Where to eat and drink at the Brambly Hedge Trail There is a hotel/pub next to the Epping Forest Visitor Centre - The Royal Forest. Chingford High Street is a few minutes drive away where there is a Co-op supermarket, Costa Coffee, Tesco Express, Caffe Nero, various takeaway options and independent restaurants. More Character Trails in Essex.. . Guess How Much I Love you Trail Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park Stick Man Adventure Trail at Thames Chase Gruffalo Trail Peter Rabbit Trail Wind in the WIllows Trail Arty's Sculpture Trail

Eastcliff Recreation Ground is in a great seaside location in Clacton-on-Sea. The Recreation Ground has lots of open space, including cricket and football pitches. Eastcliff Recreation Ground is a popular location for dog walkers. There is a playground suitable for children from toddlers to teenagers at Eastcliff Recreation Ground. Where is Eastcliff Recreation Ground? 📍 Eastcliff Recreation Ground Fourth Avenue Holland-on-Sea Clacton-on-Sea CO15 5HP Maps Link 🅿️ Parking  - Where to park at Eastcliff Recreation Ground There is off street parking available in the roads surrounding Eastcliff Recreation Ground. The surrounding roads are mainly residential so please do park considerately. What play equipment is there at Eastcliff Recreation Ground Play Park?   There is a good variety of play equipment at Eastcliff Recreation Ground. There are two climbing frames - one for junior ages children and one for toddlers. There is also balancing and swinging equipment. There are several swings including baby swings. There are also lots of interactive play boards. The play park at Eastcliff Recreation Ground is enclosed and there are benches and picnic benches inside the play area. Toilets at Eastcliff Recreation Ground The closest public toilets are at Lyndhurst Road , CO15 5H (across the road from Hazelmere car park). There are accessible toilets at the Lyndhurt Road public toilets. Other playgrounds close to Eastcliff Recreation Ground Martello Play Area, Clacton-on-Sea Halstead Road Play Area, Frinton-on-Sea Frinton Park Playing Fields , Frinton-on-Sea Bath House Meadow Playground, Walton-on-the-Naze   Check out the Parks of Essex Directory - A-Z of over 100 Essex parks   Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ❌ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌ 🚻 Toilets ❌ ♿ Accessible  ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ✅ (playing fields only) ⏰ 30 minutes - 1 hour Post last updated October 2025 Tendring Council Website

The Martello Play Area can be found along the seafront at the popular Essex seaside town of Clacton-on-Sea, where there are plenty of family friendly things to do!. Although the play area at Martello Play Park is small, the equipment is creative and fun! Parks of Essex definitely recommends stopping by if you are looking for free things to do in Clacton-on-Sea. Martello Towers The play area is named after the Martello Towers, which are a short walk away from the Martello Play Area. The Martello towers are circular, brick, artillery forts constructed along coastlines in the 19th century with the purpose of defending against invasion . Martello Tower E is a short two minute walk away. There is an information board with lots of intertesting history about how the Tower has been utilised throughout history. Did you know that Clacton was previously a Butlin's Holiday Park? Martello Tower E Where is Martello Play Area in Clacton-on-Sea? 📍 Marine Parade Way Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1XB Maps Link 🅿️ Parking  - Where to park for the Martello Play Area There is free on street parking along Marine Parade Way Closest car park - Martello Coach & Car Park - West Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1AH Play equipment at Martello Play Area The play area at Martello Play Area is enclosed. There are two pieces of play equipment at the Martello Play Area. There is a large climbing frame with slide, which may be based upon a light house. There are fun lookout holes. The slide is accessed by either a climbing wall on the outside of the climbing structure, or a ladder rope which accesses the inside of the structure. There is also a climb upon boat with some steps inside and rope climbs. Are there Toilets at Martello Play Area? The closest public toilets - West Greensward - Marine Parade Way, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1ND. There are baby change faciltiies in the female toilets. There are accessible toilet and also changing places facilities including hoist, bed, shower facilities, toilets and underfloor heating. Where to eat and drink at Martello Play Area There are plenty of places to eat and drink along the seafront. There are two independent cafes and a Toby Carvery close to the Martello Play Area. Other playgrounds close to Martello Play Area Check out the Parks of Essex MAP to find more playgrounds close by!   Eastcliff Recreation Ground, Clacton-on-Sea Halstead Road Play Area, Frinton-on-Sea Frinton Park Playing Fields , Frinton-on-Sea Bath House Meadow Playground, Walton-on-the-Naze   Check out the Parks of Essex Directory - A-Z of over 100 Essex parks   Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ❌ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌ 🚻 Toilets ❌ ♿ Accessible  ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ❌ 🐶 Dog Friendly ❌ ⏰ Less than 30 minutes Post last updated October 2025.

The restorations to the Basildon Miniature Railway at Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea have finished! As of Summer 2025, the NEW Basildon Miniature Railway is open and ready for passengers. The Railway was first constructed in 1988 and extended in 2012. The Basildon Miniature Railway has not run for 6 years, since 2019. Therefore, a lot of work has gone into restoring the railway to it's former glory! In July 2024 a plea for volunteers to help restore the Miniature Railway at Wat Tyler Park was made on the Basildon Miniature Railway Facebook page. Work started on the railway in Autumn/Winter 2024. Work included replacing railway sleepers and cutting back overgrown weeds. Where is the Basildon Miniature Railway 📍Wat Tyler Country Park Pitsea Hall Lane Pitsea Basildon SS16 4UH Maps Link 🅿️ Parking - Where to park at Wat Tyler Country Park? Free car parking in car park When is the Basildon Miniature Railway reopening? The Basildon Miniature Railway reopened in July 2025. Where is the train station at Basildon Miniature Railway The station is located close to the main entrance for the park. How much does the Basildon Miniature Railway cost? Tickets for the Basildon Miniature Railway cost £4 per person. No need to pre-book, you can turn up and pay. Cash and card payments are accepted. How long is the train journey on Basildon Miniature Railway? Train journeys on the Basildon Miniature Railway last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. When is the Basildon Miniature Railway open? Basildon Miniature Railway operates everyday during the school holidays and on weekends between April and the end of September. The Basildon Miniature Railway is open between 11am and 4pm. It is best to check the Basildon Miniature Railway Facebook Page before travelling for the most up to date opening information. On occasions the Basildon Miniature Railway may open slightly later for private events or essential railway maintenance. What else is there to do at Wat Tyler Country Park? Adventure Playground! 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. The playground has a huge variety of swings and swinging equipment incuding accessible swings. Other equipment includes a roundabout and zipwire. There are plenty of things to balance on or jump off. There is a sandpit area with diggers at Wat Tyler Country Park. This area is most suitable for smaller children. The Playground at Wat Tyler Country Park is inclusive! Accessible equipment includes swings, sensory equipment, roundabout and there are also ramps throughout the play area. There is also a sensory area. Toilets at Wat Tyler Country Park The toilets at Wat Tyler are located inside the visitor centre. Where to eat and drink at Wat Tyler Country Park There is a cafe at Wat Tyler Country Park. The cafe at Wat Tyler is accessed through the entrance for the visitor centre. There is also a covered food stall outside in the barn area serving hot drinks and takeaway food. You can often find an ice cream van at Wat Tyler during the holidays. More Miniature Railways in Essex Fairlop Waters Miniature Railway Hainault Forest Express

Mersea Barns is a shop with a restaurant attached. There is indoor and outdoor seating and an outdoor play area for children. 📍 Mersea Barns East Road East Mersea CO5 8TQ 🅿️ Free Parking Mersea Barns Play Area ⏰️ Mersea Barns Opening Hours Winter Opening Times (October to Easter) Monday and Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday to Sunday 9am - 4pm Breakfast 9am – 11.30am Lunch 12.00 – 3.30pm Cakes, snacks and drinks served all day 🛍 Mersea Barns Shop The shop sells deli goods, gifts and a small selection of children's toys and books. 🍟Food at Mersea Barns The food was fantastic. Everyone's breakfast was great, a special mention for the French toast. There is also a children's lunch menu. Kids toasties from £6.50 and hot meals from £8. The coffee was also great. 👧 Service at Mersea Barns The service was... mixed. That being said our waitress was super friendly and gave good service. 🛝 Play Area at Mersea Barns The play area is sand based. There are a number of balancing beams, logs and ropes. Good for balancing and also good for playing with vehicles. There were a few diggers and spades available to play with. There is also a sand table. It's easy to keep an eye on the children from the seating area. There is a grassy space next to the sandpit area. Mersea Barns 🎨 Messy Play at Mersea Barns Play Barn CURRENTLY CLOSED There is also a covered Messy Play space with a messy kitchen, dino world and playdoh station at Mersea Barns. We didn't try out the messy play so I can't comment on it. Children £6.50, Adults £2. Eating out with kids is hard! Kid-friendly places often don't have great food. The food and coffee were so good at Mersea Barns, making it a Parks of Essex recommendation. Facilities ☕ 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ✅ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ✅ 🚻 Toilets ✅ ♿ Accessible ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ ⏰ 30 minutes - 1 hour Post Updated October 2025

Exploring the outdoors with your family can create unforgettable memories, especially when it includes characters from beloved children's stories. Essex is home to several character trails that invite families to explore forests, parks, reservoirs and nature reserves. In this guide, we will highlight some of the best family-friendly trails in Essex. Essex is home to character trails based on wonderful children's stories. We have character trails based on tales by Beatrix Potter, Jill Barklem and more Julia Donaldson trails than can shake a Stick (Man) at! Free Character Trails in Essex Many of these character trails are FREE , with options to buy activity packs or printed maps if you wish. Parking charges may apply. We have full reviews, parking details and everything you need to know about each trail in designated blog posts. Just 'Read More' about the trail that interests you. This post features the following family friendly trails in Essex (click to scroll to the trail): NEW   Guess How Much I Love you Trail Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park NEW Stick Man Adventure Trail at Thames Chase Gruffalo Trail Peter Rabbit Trail Wind in the WIllows Trail Brambley Hedge Trail Arty's Sculpture Trail Guess How Much I Love You Trail at RHS Hyde Hall The Guess How Much I Love You Trail is a NEW Essex character trail. The Guess How Much I Love You trail arrived at RHS Hyde Hall in February 2025, in time for half term. This charming trail invites families into the world of Little Nutbrown Hare and his friends amid beautifully landscaped gardens. As you follow the trail, children can engage in interactive storytelling, and participate in nature-themed activities inspired by the story. There are also beautiful photo opportunites. Admission charges apply for RHS Hyde Hall Read More about the Guess How Much I Love You Trail Stick Man Sculpture Trail at Weald Country Park FREE  Car Parking Charges Apply Weald Country Park is home to the Stick Man Sculpture Trail . There are a series of wooden, sculptures positioned in a loop trail around the lake at Weald Country Park. You can find classic Stick Man characters, with amazing attention to detail. Stick Man Sculpture Trail at Weald Country Park The trail starts close to the car park and visitor centre. There is also two great play areas, one located close to the car park and the other along the route of the Stick Man Trail. Play Park at Weald Country Park At Weald Country Park there is also a deer enclosure, with friendly deer who love being fed. This is a great day out with children in Essex Read More about the Stick Man Sculpture Trail NEW Stick Man Activity Trail at Thames Chase FREE  Car Parking Charges Apply A fantastic new addition to Essex’s character trails is the Stick Man Activity Trail  at Thames Chase. Based on Julia Donaldson’s beloved character, this trail encourages families to connect with nature through fun and engaging activities. As you walk the forest path, children can find various interactive stations that relate to Stick Man's adventures. Kids are encouraged to create their own stick creations.7 Read More about the Stick Man Activity Trail The Gruffalo Trail at Thorndon Country Park FREE  Car Parking Charges Apply The Gruffalo Trail  at Thorndon Country Park is a captivating experience for families. This trail brings the popular children's book to life with a delightful woodland walk. As path winds through the woods you will encounter life-sized sculptures of the Gruffalo and his friends. Gruffalo Trail at Thorndon Country Park For an extra layer of fun, be sure to grab a Gruffalo map at the visitor centre for a very reasonable price! Read More about the Gruffalo Trail Peter Rabbit Trail at Langdon Nature Discovery Centre FREE  and Free Car Parking. Donations welcome. Hop over to the charming Peter Rabbit Trail at Langdon Nature Discovery Centre. Here, families can join Peter and his friends on a fun-filled journey through beautiful landscapes of woodlands, meadows, and around ponds. This trail features sculptures from the Beatrix Potter story including Benjamin Bunny and Jemima Puddleduck. Families can immerse themselves in tales inspired by Beatrix Potter's classics while enjoying the picturesque surroundings. Read More about the Peter Rabbit Trail Wind in the Willows Trail at Hanningfield Reservoir FREE  and Free Car Parking. Donations welcome. The Wind in the Willows Trail at Hanningfield Reservoir is a must-visit. This scenic trail allows families to engage with the beautiful reservoir while meeting characters from Kenneth Grahame's cherished story. The trail is designed to be family-friendly and buggy accessible, making it easy for families with younger children to join in. T here are a series of wooden sculptures and brass rubbings along the woodland trail at the Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre, There is also a garden area outside the visitor centre with Mr Toads caravan and other photo opportunities. Bird-watching enthusiasts will also appreciate the opportunity here. There are lots of family friendly nature hides. Read More about the Wind in the Willows Trail Brambley Hedge Trail at Abberton Reservoir FREE  and Free Car Parking. Donations welcome. The Brambley Hedge Trail at Abberton Reservoir presents a wonderful way for families to connect with nature. As you follow the scenic route, you’ll come across markers illustrating scenes and tales about the friendly field mice and their adventures. Don’t forget to bring binoculars, as the reservoir is a hotspot for birdlife. There are even plenty to see from across the water at the visitor centre. Read More about the Brambley Hedge Trail Arty's Sculpture Trail at Eastbrookend Country Park FREE  and Free Car Parking If you’re looking for an artistic adventure, the Arty's Sculpture Trail at Eastbrookend Country Park is a fantastic option. This trail blends art with nature by featuring various sculptures designed to spark children's creativity. The park provides a perfect backdrop for kids to run, jump, and explore. Following your walk, consider having a family picnic; this allows everyone to relax while soaking in the artistic atmosphere around you. Read More about Artys Sculpture Trail Family Adventures Await! Whether it’s the adventurous spirit of Peter Rabbit, or the charm of Stick Man, Essex’s character trails offer a wealth of opportunities for family fun. So pack your walking shoes, grab the kids, and set off on a family adventure through Essex’s enchanting trails, where stories truly come to life! Happy exploring!

Great Dunmow Rec is home to a children's playground, a great skate park, toilets and very big playing fields. The play equipment at Great Dunmow Recreation Ground is very retro, but thats why we love it! Where is Great Dunmow Recreation Ground? Great Dunmow Recreation Ground Great Dunmow CM6 2AA Maps Link 🅿️ Parking at Great Dunmow Play Park Free parking in car park ⁣ 50 Parks and Playgrounds with Free Parking Great Dunmow Rec Playground Great Dunmow has a children's play park. The playground is enclosed but there is still plenty of space inside the play area. Play equipment at Great Dunmow Rec includes a large climbing frame with climbs suitable for toddlers as well as school aged children. There are a variety of other metal climbing structures (including a vehicles) and wooden climbing equipment. There are different animal ride on play equipment, a seesaw and roundabout. There are several different types of swings including a nest swing and baby swings. The play area is mainly grass with some tarmac areas. Great Dunmow Skate Park Great Dunmow is a great place to scooter, skate and ride bikes. Great Dunmow Recreation Ground has a great skate park! The skate park is huge. There is a variety of ramps to suit all ages. There are a number of challenging ramps including a half pipe. There are also many different types of rails and ledges at Great Dunmow Rec. Great Dunmow Skate Park Where to eat and drink at Great Dunmow Rec There are no catering facilities at Great Dunmow Recreation Ground. Are there toilets at Great Dunmow Rec There are toilets close to the car park at Great Dunmow Recreation Ground. Other playgrounds close to Great Dunmow Rec Felstead Recreation Ground Rayne Park Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Great Notley Country Park Check out the Parks of Essex MAP to find more playgrounds close by!   Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ❌ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌ 🚻 Toilets ✅ ♿ Accessible ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ✅ ⏰ 30 minutes - 1 hour Last Updated September 2025

Weald Country Park is a large park in Brentwood, which consists of over 500 acres of land. The country park is full of trails and perfect for dog walking. Weald Country Park is popular with Essex families as it is the home of the "Stick Man" trail, based on the Julia Donaldson classic. There are also two themed play areas for children. Weald Park is also home to deer! There is an enclosed deer park where deer can be fed through chutes. 📍Where is Weald Country Park Weald Country Park Weald Road Brentwood CM14 5QS Maps Link 🅿️ Parking at Weald Country Park Up to 1 hour £3 Up to 2 hours £4.20 Up to 4 hours £5.30 All day £6.30 Pay via MiPermit - Code 702104 Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park The Stick Man Trail is one of the most popular character trails in Essex. The sculpture trail has many Stick Man characters to spot. For more information about the Stick Man Trail, check out our comprehensive guide - Everything You Need to Know about the Essex Stick Man Trail. Play Area at Weald Country Park There are two play areas at Weald Country Park. Neither play area is enclosed. The first play area is next to the car park. There are baby swings, a nest swing, a sand area and a stoney area with lots of balancing equipment. Is best for children up to 10 years old. There is a further play area on the opposite side of the lake. It is best suited for children 4 years old and older due to the height of the equipment. There is balancing equipment and a challenging climbing frame with a large slide. Deer at Weald Country Park Visit the Deer at Weald Country Park! The deer are located at the bottom of the play area, which is close to the car park. You can buy deer food from the cafe for £1 to feed the deer through the chutes provided. Cafe and Visitor Centre at Weald Country Park The Visitor Centre at Weald Country Park is located close to the main car park. The visitor centre has a cafe and small gift shop. The gift shop sells Stick Man merchandise, duck and deer food and other nature toys for children. The Café at Weald Country Park is open from 10am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 3.45pm on weekends. The café offers light refreshments such as ice creams, hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks, as well as paninis and sausage rolls all subject to availability. The Cafe is dog friendly. Are there toilets at Weald Park? There are toilets at Weald Country Park. The toilets at Weald Country Park are located next to the cafe, close to the car park. ⁣ Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ✅ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ✅ 🚻 Toilets ✅ ♿ Accessible ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ✅ ⏰ 1 hour+ Last Updated September 2025 Explore Essex Website

Bedfords Park is large, Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve consisting of over 200 acres of parkland. There are lots of things to do at Bedfords Park, Romford including country walks, exploring the play area and feeding the red deer! It is free to enter Bedfords Park and car parking is also free, making this a great family friendly free day out in Essex. There is an Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Visitor Centre at Bedfords Park with good facilities including toilets, a cafe serving hot and cold food and shop with brilliant gifts. The local artwork on display throughout the centre is very impressive. There are also views across Essex and London from outside the visitor centre. Where is Bedfords Park 📍 Bedfords Park Romford RM4 1QH Google Maps Link 🅿️ Parking at Bedfords Park There is Free Parking at the large car park ⁣at Bedfords Park. If you are looking for more free days out in Essex check out our Guide - 50 Parks and Playgrounds with Free Parking Playground at Bedfords Park The playground at this park is great, particularly for kids who love climbing. There are plenty of things to climb on and jump off. There is balancing equipment and a large wooden climbing frame. There isn't much for toddlers and preschoolers but there is a small maze, baby swings and a nest swing. The playground is not enclosed. There is lots of space around the playground for picnics and running around! Feed the Deer at Bedfords Park The friendly deer at Bedfords Park are a real highlight of the park. The Red Deer are fenced off but come right up to the fencing. The deers can be fed through the fences - bring your own carrots or you can buy deer food from the visitor centre for £2. Feeding the deer at Bedfords Park is a particularly popular activity at Christmas time and it can get busy! Bedfords Park Walled Gardens Next to the Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre is the Walled Gardens. The gardens are maintained by volunteers. You can buy seasonal flowers and produce grown at the garden. The Bedfords Park Walled Gardens are currently open Tuesdays and Thursdays. Keep an eye out for special event days. Next event - Apple Day on 6th October. For up to date information of the Bedfords Park Walled Gardens check out the Facebook Page . Where to eat and drink at Bedfords Park - Cafe at Bedfords Park Food and drink are available from the Nature Discovery Visitor Centre Cafe at Bedfords Park. The cafe serves light refreshments and snacks. Winter opening hours 10am – 4pm. Summer opening hours 10am – 5pm. There are beautiful views over East London and Kent from the Nature Discovery Centre. Are there toilets at Bedfords Park There are toilets close at Bedfords Park. The toilets at Bedfords Park are located Inside the visitor centre are toilets. There are accessible toilets and baby change facilities. ⁣ Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ✅ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ✅ 🚻 Toilets ✅ ♿ Accessible ❌ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ✅ ⏰ 30 minutes - 1 hour Last Updated September 2025 Essex Wildlife Trust Website