You can find amazing Thames Estuary views at Hadleigh Country Park. The country park is situated between Benfleet and Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. 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 perfect for bike lovers. There is a mountain bike course, bike hire, bike workshop and bike wash. Where is Hadleigh Park? 📍 Hadleigh Country Park Chapel Lane Benfleet SS7 2PP Maps Link 🅿️ Parking - Where to park at Hadleigh Park Car Park Fees at Hadleigh Park: Up to 1 hour 3 Up to 2 hours £4.20 Up to 4 hours £5.30 All Day £6.30 MiPermit Code - 702107 Hadleigh Park now operates a pay and stay car park. Car parking must be paid on arrival (instead of exit). Cycling at Hadleigh Park Hadleigh Park has great bike facilities. Did you know the 2012 London Olympic Games mountain biking were held at Hadleigh Park? Hadleigh Park has cycle hire, mountain biking facilities, a bike wash and bike workshops. Cycle confidence courses for adults and children are also available. Hadleigh Park is home to a great mountain bike course. The Park is also great for beginners and children. There is a large pump track and a smaller pump track suitable for preschoolers. Beginners Pump Track at Hadleigh Park Guide: Where to Hire Bikes in Essex There are great options for cycle hire at Hadleigh Park. Cycle Hire at Hadleigh Park is available from 9.30am - 4.30pm Tuesday to Sunday, also open Mondays in school holidays and bank holidays. Find out more via the Hadleigh Park Cycles website. Playground at Hadleigh Park Hadleigh Play Park has play areas suitable for toddlers up to junior aged children. The play area contains predominantly wooden apartatus. There is a large, castle themed climbing frame with slides and lots of different climbs. There is also a preschooler climbing frame, baby swing and little play house. Hadleigh Park Playground is split into two areas, which are close together. One play section has a lot of wooden balacning equipment. Where to eat and drink at Hadleigh Park The Hub Café can be found at Hadleigh Park. The cafe at Hadleigh Park is run by the Salvation Army. The Hub be found close to the play area and is open everyday between 9.30am and 4pm. The Hub Café offers homemade food including salads, graze boxes, hot pastries and pies, sandwiches, soups and cakes. There are also breakfast rolls and pastries available. Barista coffee is served at The Hub. There is also a good range of vegetarian and vegan options. Facilities   🛝 Playground ✅   ☕ Cafe ✅   ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌   🚻 Toilets ❌✅   ♿ Accessible ❌   🪑 Picnic Tables ✅   🐶 Dog Friendly ✅   ⏰ 1 hour+ Post last updated June 2025

If you're searching for a family adventure that blends nature and storytelling, look no further than the magical Julia Donaldson trails in Essex. Famous for her captivating stories such as The Gruffalo, Tiddler, Superworm, the Smeds and Smoos and Stick Man, Julia Donaldson has created a world where children can step right into her enchanting tales. Did you know there are currently three characters trail based upon Julia Donaldson classics at parks across Essex? Essex has seen it's fair share of Julia Donaldson Trails over the years including the Zog Trail and the Gruffalo Party Trail . At present you can find Julia Donaldson trails at Thames Chase Forest Centre, Weald Country Park and Thorndon Country Park. These trails are FREE, although car parking charges apply. There are also optional trail maps and activity packs available to enhance the experience. Gruffalo Trail at Thorndon Country Park Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park Stick Man Adventure Trail at Thames Chase Forest Centre. The Gruffalo Trail at Thorndon Country Park 📍 Thorndon Country Park ,  The Avenue, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3RZ The Gruffalo Trail  at Thorndon Country Park is an iconic Essex character trail. 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. The Gruffalo Trail invites families to embark on an adventure following a tiny mouse as he cleverly navigates the woods. Along the way, you'll encounter life-sized sculptures of unforgettable characters like the Gruffalo himself and the fox, owl, and snake. The Gruffalo Trail consists of several wooden character figures from the Classic Gruffalo tale. The trail starts at the Countryside Centre. The trail is Free, although you can also pick up a map from the visitor centre for a small charge. The self guided trail takes around 30-45 minutes and is almost always muddy! Read more about The Gruffalo Trail... Stick Man Sculpture Trail at Weald Country Park 📍 Weald Country Park , Weald Road, Brentwood, CM14 5QS Close to the Gruffalo Trail in Brentwood, lies the Stick Man Trail. The Stick Man Trail was revamped in May 2023. The Stick Man trail features a series of wooden, sculptures, mostly located around the lake at Weald Country Park. The wooden sculptures are very well done and make good photo opportunities. Stick Man Trail Weald Country Park Playground There are also two play areas at Weald Country Park. The first play area can be found close to the car park. The second play area is located on the other side of the lake. The second play area has more challenging climbs and slides. There is plenty to do at Weald Country park including feeding the deer! Read more about The Stick Man Trail... NEW Stick Man Activity Trail at Thames Chase 📍 Thames Chase Forest Centre , Pike Lane, Upminster, RM14 3NSREE Essex has a brand new Stick Man Trail, based on the Julia Donaldson classic tale! You can find the newest Stick Man Adventure Trail at Thames Chase Forest Centre ,  Upminster. Thames Chase is a Forestry England Site. As with all Forestry England Trails, this trail provides lots of information about trees and wildlife, as well as being fun for children. 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. Read More about the Stick Man Activity Trail... Helpful Tips for Visiting the Julia Donaldson Trails To ensure a fantastic visit to the Gruffalo and Stick Man trails, keep these tips in mind: Plan your visit : Check the weather forecast to dress appropriately for outdoor fun. Arrive early : Beat the crowds by arriving early, especially on weekends or school holidays. Pack essentials : Bring water, snacks, and a picnic to enjoy at the designated spots. Capture the moments : Don’t forget your camera or smartphone to document your family adventure. Check out our Guide: Ultimate Guide to Character Trails in Essex Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex

PYO Fruit and PYO Flowers - 2025 Guide Pick Your Own Farms let visitors gather flowers, fruits, or vegetables straight from the source. In Essex we have lots of great farms perfect for exploring in the Summer! PYO Farms are great for families and many offer space to play as well as child friendly events. If sunflowers are your favourite, Essex has you covered! Sunflowers, known for their cheerful yellow petals, are a favourite pick during the late summer months. Sunflowers bloom from mid-July to early September. Each farm has a unique schedule, so be sure to check their websites or social media for updates. Foxes Farm Produce FLOWERS OPENS AUGUST 📍Foxes Farm Produce, Colchester, CO6 3PR In the summer Foxes Farm Produce in Colchester have a great Sunflower Patch and Corn Maze. You can pick your own Sunflowers and also explore the giant corn maze at this Essex farm. PYO Sunflowers cost £1 per stem. Bring your own secateurs as there are only a limited amount of secateurs available to borrow for a deposit. You can pay pay by cash or card. Pick Your Own Sunflower Patch The Pick You Own Sunflower Patch is a great family day out in Essex. There is plenty of space to explore and a great play area! You can find ride on tractors,a slide, large tyres for climbing/jumping, tubes for rolling in, tunnels for climbing through, hay bales, football shoot out, beanbag toss and sack races. There is also wooden and metal equipment for older children to climb on. There is also a very big sandpit which has buckets, spades and diggers.There are deck chairs around the sandpit. There are also picnic benches and lots of grassy space. The play area has equipment for toddlers and there is also plenty for teenage children. Entry to the Sunflower Patch must be prebooked. Tickets cost £7 per person, children under 1 year go free. You can purchase four tickets for £25. The Foxes Farm Essex Sunflower Patch is currently closed until Summer 2025. Keep an eye on the Foxes Farm Socials  to check the Sunflower progress and when they will be open for the season. Writtle Sunflowers FLOWERS OPENS JULY 📍 Writtle Sunflowers, opposite: Pooty Pools Farm, Radley Green RoadRoxwell, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4NW Writtle Sunflowers, located just outside Chelmsford City, have been farming Sunflowers for over 20 years. Writtle Sunflower Field is home to masses of beautiful Sunflowers as well other blooms perfect for picking. Writtle Sunflowers is very child friendly - there is plenty of space to explore, covered seating areas and picnics are welcome. There are lot of great events held at Writtle Sunflower Farm including a Sundowner event, yoga, flower arranging, photography lessons. Writte Sunflowrs is currently closed until Summer 2025, expected to open when the flowers bloom in mid/end-July for around a month.  If you are looking for make a day of it, there are two great play areas close to Writtle Sunflowers! Both of these play areas are 10 minutes drive away... Paradise Road play area has a great enclosed play area and skate park. Hylands Park on the Hylands Estate is a large country park. There is a big play area, which includes a wooden play fort, Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex

The Essex May Bank Holiday Half Term Guide 2025 The late May Bank Holiday falls on Monday 26th May 2025. Essex Schools break up for the May Half Term on Friday 23rd May and return on Monday 2nd June 2025. If you are looking for things to do to entertain the kids this May Half Term, Parks of Essex has you covered. On Parks of Essex you can always find seasonal, school holiday event guides. Here you can find the best family friendly events in Essex this May, including May Bank Holiday Events in Essex. If you are looking for free days out in Essex , we have tonnes of great playgrounds listed. Our D irectory has over 100 Parks in Essex including the our favourite playgrounds in Chelmsford , Southend-on-Sea , Walton-on-the-Naze , Braintree , Wickford and Mersea Island . If you are looking for family friendly days out in Essex, keep reading for over 70 events. You can find days out at farms and zoos in Essex, as well as kid friendly museums and other attractions in Essex. The Ultimate Indoor Playground Guide - Soft Plays and Kid's Cafes In Essex Playgrounds are great for letting children burn some energy and sometimes you just need an indoor playground. Indoor play areas are great if you are looking for things to do on a rainy or cold day in Essex. Our Guide has over 30 listed by area. Free Things to do in Essex this May Half Term Parks of Essex is the place to find the BEST parks. Playgrounds make for a great FREE day out in Essex. All of our park posts details park facilities and contain parking information (that's where to park and how much parking costs!). If you are after a totally free day out in Essex, check out our guide to Over 50 playgrounds which have FREE PARKING . Peter Rabbit Trail Visit the Peter Rabbit Trail ! The trail is a permanent feature at Langdon Nature Discovery Centre. The Peter Rabbit Character Trail features several beautifully carved wooden sculptures. You can find all your favourite Peter Rabbit characters on this nature reserve! The Trail is FREE and so is parking. Free Things to do in Essex - Peter Rabbit Trail Wind in the Willows Trail You can find the Wind in the Willows Trail at the beautiful Hanningfield Reservoir. There 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. Stick Man Trail You can find The Stick Man Trail at Weald Country Park, Brentwood. There are a ser ies of wooden, sculptures located close to the car park and around the lake at Weald Country Park. There are also two play areas and you can also feed the deer at Weald Country Pa rk. Visit Pets Corner Farm Pets' Corner is a lovely little farm, which is located in the grounds of Harlow Town Park, Essex. A NEW Africa Enclosure was opened in February 2025. There are also two great play areas at Town Park. This great farm is FREE to enter, donations are welcome to support the running of this farm. Free Things to do in Essex - Pets Corner Farm Free Events in Essex May Half Term Rock the Park - Harlow Town Park 24th and 25th May Harlow Town Park is a family favourite. There are two playgrounds, a skate park, seasonal paddling pool and free farm ! There are plenty of great, community events lined up for 2025 including music festivals! Rock the Park  is a FREE family festival taking place over May Half Term! Check out the main stage, bar, food stalls and acoustic tent. Wild Woodland Fun and The Great MIni Beast Hunt Salary Brook, Greenstead, CO4 5YR 27th and 28th May 27th - Wild Woodland fun - Enjoy crafts and woodland games amongst the trees. Make the most of the great outdoors! 1.30pm - 3pm 28th  - The Great Mini Beast Hunt and Pond Dipping - Swish through the long grass with sweep nets or see what you can find in ponds. Drop in between 1.30pm - 3pm Sunflower Planting - Scotts of Southend 26th - At Scott’s of Southend kids can roll up their sleeves and plant their very own sunflower, completely FREE! Gloves recommended (but not provided). No booking needed – just turn up.  Limited stock – first come, first served!  Free Family Fun - Hadleigh Park Join in with FREE family activities at Hadleigh Park in May Half Term. Activites run on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10am and 12pm. No booking required, drop in. 27th - Foil Hearts 28th - Jigsaw Hearts and Litter Pick 29th - Pom Pom Pals A-Z OF EVENTS The following events are listed A - Z by location. Click the location for more information on the park/attraction , including parking costs and facilities guide. Click Book Event for a direct link to book tickets, where advanced tickets are required. More events will be added as the month goes on so make sure to check back regularly. Abberton Reservoir Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir  is a great Nature Discovery Park. There is a permanent Bramley Hedge woodland character trail and great natural play area. Essex Wildlife Trust Abberton Reservoir has lots of family friendly school holiday events. 28th - Wilder Holiday Club (Drop off Day) £37 30th - Pond Dipping £6 Book Events Audley End Enjoy a day out exploring the spacious grounds and estate of one of England’s grandest mansions, English Heritage Audley End. Adults £24, Children £15 24th - 1st - Get ready for a fun-filled outdoor adventure at Audley End with hands-on activities this May half term. Challenge your family and friends to giant jenga, test your skills on the balance board or test your cunning with a classic chess game. Enjoy fun and games in the fresh air! Book Events 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!  This May 26th - Nature Tots Special £8 26th - Family Forest Fun £8 30th - Wilder Holiday Club £37 Book Events Adventure Playground at Belfairs Woods Braintree Village 23rd - 26th - Open Air Cinema - Head over to Braintree Village film festival this May. Tickets from £5, films include Moana 2, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Barbie, Wicked, Shrek, Mama Mia, Toy Story, the Greatest Showman and Harry Potter. Book Events Cammas Hall 27th - 31st - Jurassic Trail - Stomp aboard the Tractor and Trailer ride, which will transport you deep into the wilds of Cammas woods. Explore the woods and keep a lookout for ancient artifacts as you make your way along the trail. Check out roarsome outdoor games area, where themed activities promise fun prehistoric play for everyone. Children and Adults £8.95 Castle Park ( Lower Castle Park Footbridge) Colchester Castle Park has so many fantastic facilities - a great playground, cafes, a traditional bandstand, boating lake and gardens. There are also attractions including crazy golf, museums and of course Colchester Castle. 26th - Bark In The Park - Dog Show! Show off your furry friend's talents! Meet other dog lovers, shop and enjoy delicious treats. Also expect funfair Rides, face Painting, bouncy castle, shops and games. Entry £5 per adult. Book Events Chelmsford Museum at Oaklands Park Chelmsford Museum is a super child friendly museum located in Oaklands Park. There are also two playgrounds within the beautiful park grounds. The gardens here are beautiful and there is lots of space to explore! 27th - 29th - History Heros Saxon Week - Step back into Saxon times this May half term! Weave like a Saxon, make your own brooch, solve riddles and decode runes, explore real and replica objects, dress up like a Saxon. Activities are designed for ages 6+. Book Events Chelmsford Museum and two play areas can be found at Oaklands Daws Hall Daws Hall is a 25 acre private nature reserve on the Essex/Sussex Border. Daws Hall regularly run school holiday events. 28th  - Holiday Activities - Minibeast hunting, pond dipping with a picnic and marshmallows by the fire at Lunchtime. £8 per child Book Events Fingringhoe Wick There are amazing birdwatching opportunites at this Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. Explore bird hides with estuary views. There is a great play area and there are regular family friendly events hosted by EWT. 28th - Geocaching and Navigating £8 29th - Wilder Holiday Club £37 30th - Wilder Adventures £7 Book Events Flatford 31st and 1st - The Bourne Valley Crafters return to Flatford with their summer craft fair. Browse from a beautiful range of crafts, including ceramics, jewellery, art, fabric work and wood work. Book Events Garons Park Garon Park in Southend-on-Sea home to Southend cricket ground, a swimming pool  and other great facilities. Several family events are hosted at Garon Park throughout the year. 30th - Mega Fun Day- Garon Park will be transformed into a huge inflatable arena. There will also be children’s entertainer. Early Bird Tickets from £7.99 Book Events Great Holland Pits Nature Reserve 1st - Pond Dipping A longstanding annual event for families with children to enjoy supervised pond dipping in a variety of the reserve’s ponds. No Booking. Discretionary fee. Book Events Hainault Forest H ainault Forest Country Park is great for a family day out - there are so many things to do! You can find Foxborrows Farm (which is free  to enter), the Hainault Thomas Train Ride  and a great adventure playground at Hainault Country Park. 27th - Minibeast Hunt - Explore the forest to find some of the creatures that crawl, buzz and wiggle. All equipment will be provided for you to gently search, capture and view some minibeasts. £5 28th and 1st - Pond Dipping - Explore what creatures live underwater in Hainault Forest. Use pond dipping equipment to find out what creatures live in the lake. £5 28th 29th 1st - Feed the Farm - Take a morning tour around Foxburrows Farm, discover the animals that live here, and help to give some of them their breakfast. £5 Book Events Adventure Playground at Hainault Country Park Hanningfield Reservoir Hanningfield Nature Reserve has fantastic woodland walks around the reservoir. There is a Wind in the Willows  themed nature sculpture trail which children will love.   There are some great holiday events this year.: 28th - Family Forest Fun £8 28th - Woodland Evening Adventure £8.80 29th - Nature Tots Summer Special £8 Book Events Read More about the Wind in the Willows Trail HERE Harlow Town Park Harlow Town Park is a family favourite. There are two playgrounds, a skate park, seasonal paddling pool and free farm ! The Park has several beautiful, unique gardens (including a sensory garden), nature reserves and a wonderful bandstand. There are plenty of great, community events lined up for 2025 including music festivals! 24th 25th - Rock the Park - FREE family music festival! Check out the main stage, bar, food stalls and acoustic tent. Hedingham Castle Hedingham Castle is great for a family day out. There is plenty of history! The keep is nearly 900 years old and the House now over 300 years old. There are plenty of family events at Hedingham Castle throughout the year. 25th - Knights of Royal England Joust - Explore the ancient Castle and stunning gardens, as well as experience many medieval pursuits including archery, axe throwing, birds of prey and much more. Juniors £16, Under 4s Free, Adults £21.50 28th - Owl by Candlelight Book Events High Woods Country Park High Woods Country Park is perfect for family walks due to the wonderful meadows, lakes and woodlands. High Woods Country Park also has nature inspired children's play areas. 28th  - The Great Mini Beast Hunt - Join the rangers for the Great Mini Beast Hunt at High Woods Country Park and discover some of the millions of creatures who call High Woods home. £6.20 per child (pre-booking is essential) 31st - Pond Dipping - Join the education rangers for a pond dipping session at High Woods Country Park and discover what creatures hide under the surface. £6 per child (pre-booking is essential) Book Events Hopefield Animal Sanctuary Bank Holiday Family Festival! Bouncy castles & inflatables, fairground rides, meet and sing along with the Ice Sisters (Monday only), kids crafts, soft play, pony cycles. Tickets include general admission to the sanctuary. Book Events Hyde Hall 24th - 1st - Great Game-a-thon - Get ready for a week of fun, laughter, and friendly competition as we celebrate the joys of spring. Gather your family and friends for an unforgettable day of exhilarating games and activities in the great outdoors. 24th - 1st - Giant Games 24th - 1st  - Grass Labyrinth 24th - 1st  - Veg Olympics 27th - Storytelling Walk Entrance to the gardens Adults £15.85, Children £7.95, Under 5s Free Book Events Guess How Much I Love You Trail NEW  for 2025! The Nutbrown Hare family from the beautiful Guess How Much I Love You book series has hopped over to RHS Hyde Hall . The Guess How Much I Love You Trail is a series of sweet, informative activity boards and photo opportunities. The trail is included with admission to the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens. You can find out all the details by checking out our blog post on the NEW Guess How Much I Love You Trail! Guess How Much I Love You Trail - RHS Hyde Hall Ingrebourne Nature Park (Hornchurch Country Park) 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, as well as a great play area. There are also great family events held at Hornchurch Country Park 29th - Family Fun £6 30th - Wilder Holiday Club £37 Book Events Langdon Langdon Nature Reserve has so many family friendly events! Firstly, Essex Wildlife Trust Langdon Nature Discovery Centre is home to the Peter Rabbit wooden sculpture trail! There is also a Half Term trail and the following events: 24th - 1st - Half Term Trail - Pick up a map from inside the Nature Discovery Centre and venture outside to complete the May trail. Once you've completed It head back to the centre to collect a prize! £4 per child. No booking required. 28th - Nature Tots £8 28th - Family Forest Fun £8 28th - Birds of Prey Evening - £12 29th - Wilder Holiday Club - ££7 Book Events Read More about the Peter Rabbit Trail HERE Markshall Estate Explore the Arboretum and stunning landscapes at Markshall! Markshall Estate is home to trees from across the world, inspiring gardens and ancient woodland. Entry Adults £11, Child over 3 £6.30, Under 3 free entry. Until 23rd May  - Tree Rubbing Trail - Included with general admission Book Events 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. 26th - The Naze Nature Tots £6 30th  - Naze Family Fossil Discovery £5 Book Events Attend a Fossil Hunting Event or do your own hunting at the Naze Nuclear Races 27th and 29th  - Just get over it - Are you ready to beat the wall, climb walls, swing on the mighty monkey bars. £23 per child Book Events Old MacDonalds Farm 24th - 1st - Magical Mayhem - the usual Farm Fun plus silliness! Admission applies. Book Events Priory Park Priory Park is a great park. There is lots to do here and there is a large, fenced off playground suitable for toddlers and bigger kids. The circus is coming to Priory Park this half term! 22nd - 26th - Circus Zyair - Fearless acrobats and daredevil stuntmen guarantee maximum thrills by risking life and limb daily for your entertainment. The dazzling combination of high energy, jaw dropping talent and electric atmosphere promises a magical and unforgettable experience for the whole family. Book Event 27th - Inflatable Fun Day Book Event Promenade Park This popular river side park is situated on the river Blackwater. Promenade Park has something for everyone. The park hosts several playgrounds including The Valley Play Area and the Secret Garden Inclusive Play Area .There is also a petting zoo, adventure golf, skateboard park, BMX track, model boating lake and an amazing seasonal splash park. 4th  - Mud Run! - Maldon's unique Mud Race sees 300 fund-raising competitors plough through the River Blackwater's famous mud and chilly water from Promenade Park to the other side of the river at Heybridge and back. The park will be packed, with DJs, entertainment, stalls and food, plus giant TV screens to help visitors capture every moment. Entry is now closed but you can still attend to support those mud racing for charity! Find out more about this Event The Maldon Splash Park reopens for the season this May! Check out our Essex Splash Pad Guide 26th - Craft in the Park - Fun outdoor play and stations that incorporate nature, sensory experiences, wellbeing and arts and crafts! By @thehappyhealthyminds 24th - 1st - Downs Steam Fair - A traditional vintage steam fair opening daily to entertain visitors with vintage rides from days gone by. Rides include Steam gallopers/carousel, big wheel, chair-o-planes & Helter Skelter. Plus children’s rides & games. Ride prices vary, tokens purchased onsite. Find out more about this Event Roding Valley Nature Reserve 26th - Family Forest Fun - look for mini beasts, get making in the mud kitchen, build dens, climb trees, be creative with our craft, and enjoy a campfire (weather permitting - we will send an email of food suggestions for toasting after booking)! This event is suitable for children aged 3+. Please come dressed for the weather as we will be outside for the whole se ssion.  Book Events Tiptree Heath Nature Reserve 28th - Forest Fun - Build dens, swing in a hammock, search for minibeasts, climb trees, create natural crafts, cook a tasty treat on the fire (weather permitting), and discover lots more! Advanced booking is essential and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Book Events Thames Chase Forest Centre,RM14 3NS This Forestry England park has so much going on and is great for families. A new inclusive play area opened at Thames Chase in February 2025! 27th - Clay Creations: Make A Trinket Dish £4 28th - Crafty Wednesday: Trees, Wings and Butterflies £4 Book Events Thurrock 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. There are also great seasonal events! 23rd - Birds of Prey Evening - £12 30th - Family Forest Fun £8 30th - Wild Evening Out £6 Book Events Wat Tyler Country Park Wat Tyler Country Park has fantastic opportunities for wildlife spotting, great country walks and an huge inclusive children's play park. 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th - Pond Dipping £6.90 28th - Butterflies at Wat Tyler £8.05 29th - Bees at Wat Tyler £8.05 30th  - Out n Back Orienteering £8.05 27th and 30th - Soft Archery £6.90 Book Events Playground at Wat Tyler Country Park - Half Term Events include Pond Dipping and Butterfly Fun! Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex

Barking Park is a beautifully maintained park in a busy town. There are great facilities including a cafe, playground and skate park. There are also seasonal attractions including a Splash Pad, the Magical Unicorn Lake (unicorn pedalo boats) and Bounsea (giant inflatable castle). If you want to see more about Barking Park - you can check out the Barking Park Reel on Instagram - Watch the Barking Park Reel on the Parks of Essex Instagram Page    Where is Barking Park 📍 Barking Park Barking IG11 8TA Google Maps Link 🅿️ Parking - Where to park for Barking Park Long Bridge Road  Car Park IG11 8TA - enter through the main Barking Park gates. Two hours free parking - use pay by phone App. Barking Park Playground Barking Park Playground The play area at Barking Park is primarily sand based. The playground has a boat theme. There are several large wooden climbing structures with different climbs - nets, steps etc. There is also a lot of sand play tables with different pulleys. There is a large slide on a hill. There are also a few small pieces of play equipment just outside of the sandpit area, on the grass. There is a small baby swing and ride of equipment. Barking Park Playground What else is there to do at Barking Park? There is a skate board park at Barking Park Barking Park Splash Park Barking Splash Pad is open from May. They offer 90 minute sessions which start at 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Children over 2 from £8, Adults from £5. Magical Unicorn Lake You can hire unicorn pedalo boats too! You can hire for either 20 or 40 minute slots. The Magical Unicorn Lake is open weekends and school holidays from February half term. The Magical Uniform Lake is currently open! Magical Unicorn Lake Find out more about Barking Park Splash Pad, Magical Unicorn Lake and Bounsea HERE on the Barking Splash Pad Website. Where to eat and drink at Barking Park There is a cafe at Barking Park - The Big Friendly Coffee. It is located next to the playground and lake. The cafe sells hot and cold drinks, ice cream and other sweet treats. They also serve pizza. Are there toilets at Barking Park There are toilets are Barking Park. They are located close to the lake and cafe. Barking Park Playground Sandpit Other playgrounds close to Barking Park 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 - 1 hour Last Updated May 2024

Gloucester Park is a large park located in Basildon. As well as lots of open space, there is a large lake (full of ducks!), pathways through the park and a children's play park. The park is also close to leisure facilities at Basildon Sporting Village. Gloucester Park Play Park Where is Gloucester Park? 📍 Gloucester Park Cranes Farm Road Basildon SS14 3DE Google maps link   🅿️ Parking  - Where to park at Gloucester Park There is a car park with free parking on Cranes Farm Road. From the car park on Cranes Farm Road, it is a 5-10 minute walk through the park to the playground. 🛝 What playground equipment is at Gloucester Park ? The playground at Gloucester Park is enclosed. The play area is most suitable for smaller children up to the age of 10. Play equipment includes several climbing frames, balancing equipment, spinning equipment ride on equipment, swings and a zip line. The flooring is a mix of grass and tarmac. What else is there at Gloucester Park There is a variety of outdoor gym equipment throughout the park. Skate Ramp at Gloucester Park There is an impressive skate and scooter park at Gloucester Road. The ramps range in ability and suit even advanced skaters. Skate Ramp at Gloucester Park Are there toilets at Gloucester Park ? No toilet facilities Where to eat and drink in Gloucester Park ? No catering facilities inside the park. There are plenty of places to eat nearby at Festival Leisure Park including Five Guys, McDonalds, Pizza Hunt, Nandos, Wagamama, Starbucks and Toby Carvery. What else is there to do close to Gloucester Park? Basildon Sporting Village is in the ground of Gloucester Park. Basildon Sporting Village has a gym, swimming pool and climbing wall. Also close by is Festival Leisure Park ,  which is home to lots of leisure activities including Mr Mulligans Golf, Hollywood Bowl and 360 Play Soft Play. If you are looking for more indoor play ideas check out our guide: The Ultimate Indoor Playground Guide . Other playgrounds close to Gloucester Park Check out the Parks of Essex MAP to find more playgrounds close by! Northlands Park Victoria Park, Basildon   Howard Park, Basildon   Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ❌ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌ 🚻 Toilets ❌ ♿ Accessible ❌ no accessible parking, facilitates, limited accessible play equipment 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ✅ ⏰ Spend 30 minutes - 1 hour

Braintree District Park and Playground Guide There are tonnes of great days out in Braintree! Things to do in Braintree for families include a visit to Braintree Distict Museum, Cressing Temple Barns, walk or cycle the Flitch Way or head to Braintree Designer Outlet. If you are looking for free things to do in Braintree, there are tonnes of great play areas! Here we have chose our favourite free play parks in Braintree. Here is your next FREE day out in the district of Braintree, Essex! Where applicable, we have also included some great pubs and cafes close to the parks and playgrounds, so you are set for day out Braintree. Each park has a designated blog post with full reviews, parking details, toilets, photos and more information! Just 'Read More' about the park that interests you. This Braintree Playground Guide features the following playgrounds (click to scroll to the playground) : Great Notley Country Park Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens Brain Valley Park John Barr Playground Fisher Field Play Area Great Notley Country Park 📍 Great Notley Country Park⁣ Braintree⁣ CM77 7FS⁣ Great Notley is a great Country Park in Braintree! There are plenty of things to do at Great Notley Country Park including fishing, walking and cycling. In the holidays, Children can enjoy the 'Sky Ropes' attraction and there are regular seasonal events and trails. Our favourite thing about Great Notley Country Park is the brilliant play trail . The trail is a 1.2km loop and the pathways are accessible and buggy friendly. Along the route there is lots of different play equipment such as climbing frames, swings, a zip wire, seesaws and slides. The play trail is FREE! Read More about the Great Notley Play Trail⁣... Great Notley Country Park has a visitor centre where there are toilets (including baby change and accessible toilets). Inside the visitor centre there is a cafe serving drinks, snacks, ice cream and prepackaged sandwiches. There is lots of space for picnics around the country park too. Read More about Great Notley Country Park If you are looking for somewhere for a hot meal, we recommend a trip the very family friendly The Astronomer Pub , which is only a short 2 minute drive away. The Astronomer is a Hungry Horse pub with an outdoor play area. Our Guide to Pubs with Play Areas in Essex has over 40 listed! Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens 📍Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens 43 Bocking End Braintree CM7 9AE Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens are home to beautifully maintained gardens. The Gardens stretch over almost five acres and include a lovely fountain and pond, nature hide, grassy areas and children's play park. There are also tennis courts available to hire for a small fee. There is also a brilliant park cafe at Braintree and Bocking Gardens - Coffee House in the Gardens. The cafe serves very good coffee and other hot and cold drinks. There is a varied breakfast and lunch menu. Our favourites were the home made cakes and kids lunch boxes. There are some great family events held Braintree at Bocking Public Gardens in the summer months. In June there is The Little Legs Festival and there is also The Festival in The Gardens in the summer. For the latest festival dates and to fin out more about, check out our Guide to Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens . Brain Valley Playground 📍Brain Valley Play Park Mill Park Drive Braintree CM7 1GP The Brain Valley Playground was newly built in 2024. For a relatively small play ground, the equipment is good! There is some unique play equipment and lots of sensory play. This playground isn't suitable for a whole day out but I definitely recommend a visit if you're local or passing through. The playground is only few minutes drive from Braintree Freeport Designer Village, so a good spot to wear the kids out before hitting the shops. This new playground is suitable for preschoolers to junior aged children. There are climbing frames with slides and climbs to suit all ages. There is also ride on equipment. The highlight is the climbing cube, never seen one like that before! There are a variety of swings including a nest swing, baby swings, long swing and tandem swing. There is a surface trampoline and sensory activity boards. Read More about Brain Valley Park John Barr Playground 📍 John Barr Playground Queens Garden Panfield Braintree CM7 5AH You can find the John Barr Playground in Panfield village, Braintree District. This playground is a little tucked away but is worth a visit for the great quality equipment. There is also a great country pub nearby! The play area at John Barr Playground is mainly grass based. There is play equipment for all ages. Play equipment includes a large climbing frame with two slides including an enclosed tube slide and a smaller climbing frame with a slide for toddlers and preschoolers. There is also a large pyramid climbing frame, ride on equipment and a spinning pole. There are a variety of swings including seat swings, baby swings and a nest swing. Read More about John Barr Playground There is plenty of space for picnics at John Barr Playground. If you are after a hot meal, The Bell Inn Panfield  is a short walk away. The Bell Inn is a Greene King pub serving food. The Bell Inn has a beer garden and small children's play area. If you are after a pub garden with a children's play area, check out our guide: 40+ Family Friendly Pubs with Play Areas in Essex . Fisher Field Playground 📍 Fisher Field Play Area Braintree Essex CM7 9TA The Fisher Field playground in Braintree is a brightly coloured play area situated in a residential area. The playground is enclosed and has lots of space inside. There is also surrounding play fields with a football goal. This playground in Braintree has swings (including baby swings and a nets swing) two climbing frames, a roundabout, seesaw, balancing equipment including a balance board. Read More about Fisher Field Playground Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex.  Over 100 parks and playgrounds are listed

Doddinghurst in Brentwood District is home to a great village playground! As well as the enclosed play area, there is also a basketball hoop and large playing fields. Where is Doddinghurst Playground? 📍 Doddinghurt Village Playing Fields Church Lane Doddinghurst Brentwood CM15 0NG Maps Link 🅿️ Parking - Where to park Doddinghurst Playground Free Parking at outside Doddinghurts Village Hall Doddinghurst Park Play Area Play equipment at Doddinghurst Playing Fields includes swings, slides, roundabout a climbing frame and zipwire. The play area in enclosed and here are benches inside the play area. There is also a basketball hoop located next to the playground. Where to eat and drink at Doddinghurst Park There is no cafe at Doddinghurst Playground. There are a few takeaway restaurants located opposite the playing fields, there is also a Tesco Express convenience supermarket. Are there toilets at Doddinghurst Park There are no public toilets at Doddinghurst Playground Other playgrounds close to Doddinghurst Park Check out the Parks of Essex MAP to find more playgrounds close by! Fairfield Playground, Ingatestone   King Georges Playing Fields, Brentwood Weald Country Park Thorndon Country Park Mountnessing Park Check out the Parks of Essex Directory - A-Z of over 100 Essex parks

Parks of Essex has been curated to help you find parks, playgrounds and nature reserves to explore with your family and friends in Essex. Parks of Essex is a resource which combines information on parks, playgrounds and nature reserves across Essex, all in one, easy to navigate place. ⁣⁣We have guides to parks across Essex including the best playgrounds in Chelmsford , Southend-on-Sea  and Braintree . Playgrounds & Parks with Free Parking in Essex! Are you looking for a kid friendly FREE DAY OUT in ESSEX? Playgrounds are great for a free or low cost day out in Essex! Here are over 50 brilliant parks and playgrounds in Essex that have free car parking! This post features playgrounds and parks with designated car parks for easy car parking This guide features parks and playgrounds with free car parks across the whole of Essex. Click the park for more information  including playground description and facilities such as cafes and toilets (click to scroll to the area): Colchester Frinton-on-Sea Saffron Walden Braintree District Dunmow Billericay Wickford Basildon Chelmsford Rayleigh Brentwood Barking Romford Chigwell Upminster Harlow Stanford-le-Hope Tilbury Southend-on-Sea Hockley Rochford North East Essex Parks with free parking in Colchester Abberton Reservoir Abberton Reservoir is home to an Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. Kids will also love the Bramley Hedge woodland character trail and woodland themed playground. Abberton Reservoir Stanway Community Centre The Stanway Lakelands Community Centre has great faculties including a cafe, inclusive playground, sensory room and full Changing Places facility. There are regular family events held at the Stanway Centre including bbqs and the softplay bus. Stanway Lakelands Centre Chappel Viaduct A playground overlooking the beautiful Chappel Viaduct, what a view!  Chappel is a great spot for a day out, interesting photos and the playground is a huge bonus. Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve Fingringhoe Wick is the sit of the first Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. The nature reserve has great birdwatching opportunities over the estuary from the bird hides. There is a wooden playground and regular family friendly events hosted by Essex Wildlife Trust. Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve Boxted Playground Boxted Village has an excellent children's park. You can find an enclosed playground for toddlers, play equipment for older children, a large skate ramp and open playing fields. Boxted Playground features on our guide: The Best Playgrounds for Toddlers in Essex . Boxted Playground Tiptree Park Grove Road playground in Tiptree has facilities for infants to teenagers. There is a unique balance obstacle course. The skate park is also a highlight of the park. It is also a short distance from the Tiptree Jam Tearoom! Stoke-by-Nayland Park Stoke by Nayland playground is a local play area with playing fields and a good playground. The grassy playground is enclosed. Ardleigh Milennium Green Ardleigh Millenium Green is home to a great children's playground including a sand play area and obstacle course.   Ardleigh Millenium Green is also next to the mainline railway, so a great playground to head to if your child is a train enthusiast.   Parks with free parking in Frinton-on-Sea Frinton Park Playing Fields Frinton Park Playing Fields has a children's play ground with fun equipment and lots of space. There is also plenty of open space in the nearby playing fields. Frinton Park Playing Fields North West Essex Parks with free parking in Braintree Rayne Park Rayne park is in the beautiful village of Rayne. The wooden playground has lots of interesting equipment and suits toddlers to junior aged children. There are also large playing fields. Rayne Park Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens The gardens and fountain at Braintree and Bocking Gardens are so well maintained. There is also a small children's play park conveniently located next to a lovely cafe. Parks with free parking in Dunmow Felsted Recreation Ground Felstead Park is one of the most beautifully maintained parks we have come across in Essex! There are great facilities including a large, enclosed playground, basketball courts and great pubic toilets. Felsted Recreation Ground Mid Essex Parks with free parking in Billericay Norsey Woods, Billericay If you love a woodland walk, you will love Norsey Wood! There are great family friendly walking trails and a covered picnic area. Hanningield Waterside Park Hanningfield Waterside Park has beautiful views across Hanningfield Reservoir and is a great spot for feeding the ducks. There is a playground and cafe. You can also walk through the woodlands to reach the Essex Wildlife Trust Centre based at Hanningfield Reservoir. Hanningfeld Reservoir Hanningfield Reservoir is home to an Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. There are great bird hides throughout the nearby woodland. The highlight is the Wind in the Willows Trail . Free Parking at the Essex Wind in the WIllows Trail Lake Meadows, Billericay There are great facilities at Lake Meadows Park including two playgrounds, cafe, swimming pool, fishing, mini golf, playground, basketball and tennis courts. There is free parking outside of school drop off and pick up time. Lake Meadows, Billericay Parks with free parking in Wickford Runwell Park Runwell Park is good for children of all ages! There are two great play areas close to each other and a car park with free parking. One play area is enclosed and has climbing frames suitable for toddlers and small children, a roundabout and swings. Outside of the enclosed play area, there is more play equipment. There is a rope bridge between two hills, and a large slide. Runwell Park Wickford Memorial Park Wickford Memorial Park is great! The park has a great playground with two areas to suit children all ages. There is a cafe with large menu and wonderfully maintained gardens with plenty of seating. The Wick Country Park The Wick Country Park has a playground, easy access trails and beautiful lake. A great spot for cycling and scooting! The Wick Country Park, Wickford Parks with free parking in Basildon Langdon Nature Discovery Cenrte Langdon Nature Reserve is maintained by the Essex Wildlife Trust. The Reserve is also great for dog walkers due to the vast landscape of woodland, meadows and lakes. It is the home of the Essex Peter Rabbit character trail . Free Parking at the Essex Peter Rabbit Trail Wat Tyler Wat Tyler Country Park is one of the best parks in Essex with free parking. The country park has a huge, inclusive children's play park. Wat Tyler Country Park Westley Heights Westley Heights is a beautiful nature reserve, which also has a small natural play woodland play area. There are also great walking trails. Langdon Hills Recreation Ground Langdon Hills has a wonderful recreation ground, where you can find a large playground with equipment for all ages, football pitches, basketball courts and a playing fields. Langdon Hills Recreation Ground Northlands Park Northlands Park was refurbished in March 2023. It's a great space with a playground, outdoor gym, skate ramp, cafe and beautiful lake full of ducks. Northlands Park, Basildon Parks with free parking in Chelmsford Paradise Road Playground Paradise Road playground in Writtle has an enclosed playground, playing fields and skate ramp! There is lots of great, interesting equipment for toddlers in particular including sensory boards and a sit on train. Oaklands Park Oaklands Park is home to Chelmsford Museum, a super child friendly museum. There are also two seperate playgrounds within the beautiful park grounds. The playgrounds have equipment for children of all ages. The gardens here are beautiful and there is lots of space to explore! Oaklands Park, Chelmsford Great Baddow Recreation Ground Great Baddow Recreation Ground has lots of facilities - footbalk, basketball, netball, table tennis and tennis courts.The Rec also contains two playgrounds, making it suitable for toddlers as well as older children. Great Baddow Recreation Ground Compass Gardens Compass Gardens has a great playground. The equipment is brightly coloured and in great condition. You can also find rugby and cricket pitches, a skate park, basketball court and outdoor gym equipment. Compass Gardens, South Woodham Ferrers Chelmer Park Chelmer Park has a large, free car park. There are vast playing fields and two play areas. One playground is a small, enclosed playground with two individual baby swings and a climbing frame suitable for children up to two. The larger playground has lots of climbing equipment. Don't forget to check out the twisty slides! Treat with caution. Chelmer Park, Chelmsford Broomfield Park There is a brilliant playground at Broomfield Park. The playground has a variety of equipment, the star being the large pirate ship with climbs and multilevel play. The playground is overlooked by a great cafe! Parks with free parking in Rayleigh Grove Woods Playing Fields There are two great play areas at Grove Woods in Rayleigh. The play area closest the car park consists of a large stacked wooden climbing frame and one other piece of climbing equipment. The other play area has plenty of equipment including several climbing frames with slides, seesaws, swings, zipwire and interactive play equipment. Parks with free parking in Brentwood District Coronation Playing Fields Mountnessing Visit this Essex Playground with beautiful views over Mountnessing Mill! Coronation Playing Fields is home to Mountnessing Mill and also Mountnessing playground. The village playground on the outskirts of Brentwood is great for children of all ages and there is plenty of space to play! Coronation Playing Fields Mountnessing Fieldfield Playing Fields Ingatestone Fairfield Playground is located in the village of Ingatestone, in the Brentwood District. This park is located behind a beautiful, striking church, just behind Ingatestone High Street. The High Street has great independent shops and places to eat, perfect for taking a picnic to the large playing fields. The park also has a pond and skate park. Fairfield Playing Fields in Ingatestone West Essex (/East London Border) Parks with free parking in Barking Barking Park Barking Park is a beautifully maintained park in a busy town. There are great facilities including a cafe, playground and skate park. There are also seasonal attractions including a Splash Pad, the Magical Unicorn Lake (unicorn pedalo boats) and Bounsea (giant inflatable castle). Barking Park Parks with free parking in Romford Bedfords Park Bedfords Park is home to an Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Discovery Centre. There are great views across Essex and London from outside the visitor centre. Kids will love the wooden playground and feeding the deer! There is plenty of open space and woodland areas for walking. Eastbrookend Country Park Eastbrookend Country Park is great for a family day out. There is a great playground to suit a variety of ages, a sculpture trail and sweet tea room. Eastbrookend Country Park, Romford Parks with free parking in Chigwell Pelican Playground Pelican Playground in Chigwell has a sand pit playground with a nautical theme! There is also lots of grassy space around the sand pit. Pelican Playground, Chigwell Parks with free parking in Upminster Ingrebourne Nature Discovery Centre, Hornchurch Essex Wildlife Trust's Ingrebourne Valley Nature Discovery is in Hornchurch Country Park. There is a great play area close to the visitor centre. There are trails for dog walking, cycling and running within the park. Parks with free parking in Harlow Town Park Harlow Town Park is a family favourite. There are two playgrounds, a skate park, seasonal paddling pool and Pets Corner Farm for children. The Park has several beautiful, unique gardens (including a sensory garden), nature reserves and a wonderful bandstand. Town Park Harlow Pets Corner Playrgound Pets' Corner Playground can be found at Harlow Town Park. We love this playground because it is suitable for children of all ages and most importantly it is one of the most inclusive play areas in Essex. Visit this FREE Farm at Pets Corner Pets Corner Playground, Harlow Parndon Woods Nature Reserve Set in Harlow, this nature reserve is also a bit of a hidden gem. Parndon Wood Nature Reserve is home to beautiful ancient woodlands. There is so much for children including den building, minibeast hunting, walking trails, nature hides and regular school holiday events. Parndon Woods Nature Reserve, Harlow South Parks with free parking in Stanford-le-Hope Thurrock Thameside Nature Park Essex Wildlife Trust's Thameside Nature Park is amazing for families, walkers and little explorers. The reserve has nature hides. 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. Thameside Nature Park, Stanford-le-Hope Parks with free parking in Tilbury Coalhouse Fort Park If you like a park with some history, the impressive Coalhouse Fort was built in the 19th century to protect the Thames Estuary. The Fort and moat are unique and interesting structures. There is also a small, basic playground. South East Parks with free parking in Southend-on-Sea Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea Chalkwell park is a great park in Southend-on-Sea. There are two separate play areas to suit children of all ages, beautiful gardens and lots of open space on the playing fields. Blenheim Park, Southend-on-Sea Blenheim Park is great for families. There is plenty of open space on the playing fields and a good playground. Belfairs Woods, Leigh-on-Sea Belfairs Woods are an Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. There is plenty of amazing ancient woodland to explore! Children will love den building and splashing in the stream within the woods. There is a large, linked wooden climbing frame structure set within the woods. Adventure Playground at Belfairs Woods, Leigh-on-Sea Southchurch Par k Southchurch Park is located only a stones throw away from Thorpe Bay Beach. The Park has several pitches and courts, a model boating lake and gardens. The large play ground has equipment for toddlers and big kids too. Shoebury Park Shoebury Park is a brilliant Southend park with so many facilities - a playground, big skate ramp, playing fields, gardens and basketball courts. Shoebury Park is a great spot to feed the ducks. Shoebury Park, Southend-on-Sea Priory Park Priory Park in Southend is a great park for all ages. There is lots to do including a large, fenced off playground suitable for toddlers and bigger kids, duck pond, walled gardens and the historic Prittlewell Priory. Gunners Park Toddler Playground This small playground is perfect for toddlers. There are unique and interesting play equipment including a scoop pulley system and lots of educational interactive equipment. The playground is close to the car park and a great cafe. Gunners Park Toddler Playground Gunners Park This spacious, fenced off playground has lots of play equipment suitable for biggest kids. There are wooden climbing and balance apparatus, a large climbing frame with slide, swings and a zipwire Jones Memorial Recreation Ground Jones Memorial Recreation Ground in Southend-on-Sea has lots of open space, making it good for dog walking. There are grassy football pitches, which are used by local weekend teams. There is a small fenced-in play ground conveniently located close to the free car park. Parks with free parking in Hockley Hockley Woods Hockley Woods are beautiful and vast. Visit in the Summer to see the bluebells! There is a great woodland playground and free parking on weekends. Hullbridge Recreation Ground Hullbridge has a great  nautical themed playground overlooking the River Crouch. There is equipment for all ages and a shaded area perfect for the summer. Parks with free parking in Rochford Cherry Orchard Country Park Cherry Orchard Country Park is huge! There is a mix of woodland, open fields and streams. There is a recently resurfaced flat, accessible pathway which is also suitable for bikes, scooters and buggys.⁣⁣ Magnolia Park Plenty of wildlife can be seen in the woods and surrounding the pond at Magnolia Park. Children can feed the ducks. There is also a playground suitable for smaller children. The play park has climbing frames, slides, swings and a rocking horse. King George's Playing Field There are three play areas at King Georges Park in Rochford, as well as and lots of open space to play! There is a sand area with tyre swing and there is an enclosed play area with climbing frames, slides, ride on play equipment, roundabout, swings. There is also an open play area with zipwire, slide and climbing frame for older children, trampoline, nest swing. King Georges Playing Fields Rochford For over 100 parks, playgrounds and nature reserves head to our DIRECTORY!

Roding Valley Recreation Ground is a short distance from Loughton Station. This large recreation ground has playing fields, paved walking trails, tennis courts, football cage, an enclosed children's play park and an outdoor gym. There is also a beautiful lake, full of ducks. Where is Roding Valley Recreation Ground? 📍 Roding Valley Recreation Ground 194 Roding Road Loughton IG10 3LQ Maps Link 🅿️ Parking - Where to park Roding Valley Recreation Ground? Free Parking in car park (j unction of Avondale Drive and Roding Road) Playground at Roding Valley Recreation Ground? The playground at Roding Valley Recreation Ground in enclosed. There are two climbing frames, one for toddlers and preschoolers and the other suitable for children up to junior age. There are a variety of swings including baby swings a nest swing. There is spinning equipment and a seesaw. There is an inverted climbing arch. Are there toilets at Roding Valley Recreation Ground? There are no toilets at Roding Valley Recreation Ground Where to eat at Roding Valley Recreation Ground? There are no catering facilties or cafe at Roding Valley Recreation Ground. Other playgrounds close to Roding Valley Recreation Ground Roding Valley Nature Reserve Pelican Playground, Chigwell 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 hours Last Updated May 2025

Harlow Town Park is a family favourite. There are two playgrounds, a skate park, seasonal paddling pool and Pets Corner Farm for children (which is FREE to enter!). The Park has several beautiful, unique gardens (including a sensory garden), nature reserves and a wonderful bandstand. There are often family friendly seasonal events throughout the school holidays. Where is Harlow Town Park? 📍Town Park Mandela Avenue Harlow CM20 2HW Maps Link Adventure Playground at Harlow Town Park 🅿️ Parking - Where to park for Harlow Town Park This is a large park with several parking options depending on which attractions you would like to visit Netteswell Cross Car Park, School Lane, CM20 2QB Free parking for 2 hours on Saturday and Sunday. 2+ hours £1.25 Monday- Friday Up to 1 hour FREE 1 - 5 hours £1.10 5+ hours £6.20 Payment via Cash or MiPermit Location Code 737808 Playgrounds at Harlow Town Park There are two, great play areas at Harlow Town Park. There is a large adventure playground, which has plenty of climbing frames to suit all ages,. The majority of play equipment is metal including the seesaw, roundabout and spinning poll. There is also a zipwire, climbing wall and giant climbing pyramid, making this play area suitable for junior ages children and teenagers. Playground at Harlow Park There is also a separate playgrou nd at Pets' Corner, next to the FREE farm. The play area is great. It is suitable for all ages and accessible! Equipment includes a large climbing frame with various slides, a rope bridge, mound with tunnel, spinning and musical equipment. The entire playground is enclosed. To read all about Pets' Corner Playground check out our Pets Corner Playground Guide Pets' Corner Farm at Harlow Town Park Pets' Corner Playground is also located close to Pets' Corner Farm. You can find all the farm favourites including sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys chickens and guinea pigs. You can also find a tropical area with fish and reptiles, as well as a variety of birds. A NEW African enclosure was opened in 2025.  For more information about Pets' Corner check out our Guide to Pets Corner Pets Corner Farm is a FREE Farm located at Harlow Town Park Sensory Garden and Walled Garden There are several beautiful gardens in Town Park. The Sensory Garden was first opened in 1984 as a Scented Garden for the Blind. It was restored and reopened in 2015. Are there toilets at Harlow Town Park? There are toilets at Town Park including baby change and changing places toilets. There is s toilet block between Pets' Corner and the Walled Garden, near the Pets' Corner play area. There is a disabled toilet within the block. There is also a Changing Places toilet next to the main Pets' Corner entrance. Where to eat and drink at Harlow Town Park ⁣⁣Spurriers Cafe - located next to Pets Corner Serves hot and cold food and drink including- breakfast, pizza, hot dog, burgers, chips, soup, sandwiches, cake. Kids meals available. Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex Facilities 🛝 Playground ✅ ☕ Cafe ✅ ℹ Visitor Centre/Shop ❌ 🚻 Toilets ✅ ♿ Accessible ✅ 🪑 Picnic Tables ✅ 🐶 Dog Friendly ✅ ⏰ At least1 hour Post last updated May 2025

Pets' Corner is a lovely little farm, which is located in the grounds of Harlow Town Park , Essex. This great farm is FREE to enter, donations are welcome to support the running of this farm. You can find all the farm favourites including sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys chickens and guinea pigs. You can also find a tropical area with fish and reptiles, as well as a variety of birds. NEW for 2025 In February 2025 the NEW Africa enclosure opened at Pets Corner! The Africa exhibit features meerkats and a tortoise. Where is Pets' Corner, Harlow Town Park? 📍Town Park Mandela Avenue Harlow CM20 2HW Maps Link Where to park for Pets' Corner? Closest car park (5 minutes walk away) Netteswell Cross Car Park, CM20 2QB Free parking for 2 hours on Saturday and Sunday. 2+ hours £1.25 Monday- Friday Up to 1 hour FREE 1 - 5 hours £1.10 5+ hours £6.20 Payment via Cash or MiPermit Location Code 737808 How much is entry at Pets' Corner? FREE, donations welcome When is Pets' Corner open? Pets Corner is open every day - Monday to Sunday. Pets Corner is closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day Pets Corner is open from 11am to 4pm. What animals are there at Pets' Corner? There are a variety of farm animals including sheep, goats, pigs, horses, donkeys chickens and guinea pigs. You can also find a tropical area with fish and reptiles, including snakes, turtles, toads snails. There is also a variety of birds. Our favourite was the owl! Can you feed the animals at Pets' Corner? No, you cannot feed the animals at Pets' Corner. There are regular keeper talks throughout selected school holidays. Are dogs allowed at Pets' Corner? Dogs are not allowed into Pets' Corner, they are however allowed within Harlow Town Park. Are there toilets at Pets' Corner? There are toilets at Town Park including baby change and changing places toilets. There are toilets located close to the entrance of Pets Corner. Is there a playground at Pets' Corne r? There are two play areas at Town Park. There is an adventure playground located centrally in the park. Adventure Playground at Harlow Town Park There is a playground located at Pets' Corner, next to the farm. The play area is great. It is suitable for all ages and accessible! To read all about Pets' Corner Playground check out our Guide to the Pets Corner Playground Pets' Corner Playground Volunteering at Pets' Corner There are volunteering opportunities available at Pets Corner. For more details contact Harlow Council - details HERE. Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex