Are you looking for the perfect outdoor space to explore with your family in Essex? From ancient woodlands and coastal walks to wildlife rich reserves and adventure playgrounds, Essex is blessed with an incredible variety of country parks. As a local mum who's visited most of these parks with my children, I've put together this comprehensive guide to help you discover the best parks Essex has to offer.

Whether you're planning a peaceful nature walk, a family picnic or an active day out with your children, this guide covers everything you need to know about Essex's most beautiful outdoor spaces. Check out the map at the end to help discover what is near where you are (or click here to jump straight to the map).

Explore the best parks in Essex

Contents

The Best Country Parks And Outdoor Spaces In Essex

Abberton Reservoir

Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester CO2 0EU
Website

One of the largest freshwater bodies in Essex, Abberton Reservoir is a haven for wildlife and bird watching. The Essex Wildlife Trust Discovery Centre offers panoramic views across the reservoir. 

Features include:

• Discovery Centre with café open daily 9am-5pm (February-November) and 9am-4pm (November-February).
• Middleditch wild play area (can be very muddy and closed in winter).
• Brambly Hedge wooden sculpture trail (map available from Discovery Centre).
• Bird watching hides.
• Some wheelchair accessible paths including the Brambly Hedge trail.
• Toilets available when Discovery Centre is open. 
• No dogs allowed on the reserve or visitors centre.
• Free entry, but donations encouraged.
• Free parking.

Abberton Reservoir Discovery Centre

Bedfords Park

Broxhill Road, Havering-atte-Bower, Romford RM4 1QH
Website

A beautiful 215-acre park combining open meadows and woodland.  The park is owned and managed by the London Borough of Havering with an Essex Wildlife Trust Discovery Centre. 

Features include:

• Discovery Centre with café open daily 10am-5pm (February-November) and 10am-4pm (November-February).
• Play area.
• Enclosure with red deer which are normally easily visible.
• Toilets available when Discovery Centre is open. 
• Dogs allowed (except in the visitors centre).
• Free entry.
• Free parking.
• Car park open 8am to dusk.

There is lots to explore at Bedfords Park and you can talk to the deer

Belfairs

Eastwood Road North, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 4LR
Website

A large ancient woodland park, described as a living landscape. Some of the woodland is over 1000 years making it some of the oldest recorded woodland in Essex. The Woodland Centre (or Discovery Centre) is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. 

Features include: 

• Discovery Centre managed by Essex Wildlife Trust with cafe and shop open daily 10am-5pm (February-November) and 10am-4pm (November-February).
• Play area.
• Toilets available when Discovery Centre is open. 
• Dogs allowed (except in the visitors centre).
• Free entry
• Free (but limited) parking.
• Open from dawn to dusk.

Belhus Woods Country Park

Romford Road, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4XJ
Website

Set in over 300 acres in Aveley, South Essex, Belhus Woods Country Park offers a mix of ancient woodlands, fishing lakes and meadows to explore. Remnants of the 18th century park can be found alongside features such as the music-themed play area with climbing logs, rope swings and balance beams to enjoy, as well as being surrounded by short grassland for nearby picnics. Children can also feed the ducks at the lake and there are flat cycle paths making them ideal for families to explore.

Features include:

• A visitors centre with café is open everyday 10am-4pm.
• Large play area.
• Cycling paths.
• Toilets.
• Dogs allowed.
• Free entry.
• Chargeable parking, download MiPermit app in advance for easy payment (or get the Explorer Pass from Explore Essex)
• Fishing (with permit)
• Car park open 8am to roughly dusk, see entrance boards for exact times.

Read our review and tips for visiting here.

There is a large play area to explore at Belhus Woods

Chafford Gorges Nature Park

Drake Road, Chafford Hundred, Grays RM16 6RW
Website

A unique landscape formed by chalk quarrying, now a haven for wildlife. There are gorges, lakes and cliffs to explore.

Features include:

• Discovery centre and toilets currently closed (Essex Wildlife Trust manage these so check the website to see if they have reopened)
• 4 trailst to explore around the site ranging from 1.75km to 7km (view them here).
• Shortest trail is wheelchair accessible in dry weather.
• Dogs allowed (max of 4 per person).
• Free entry.
• Free parking open until 5pm.

Cudmore Grove Country Park 

Broman's Lane, East Mersea, Colchester CO5 8UE
Website

Located on Mersea Island, this coastal park overlooks the Colne and Blackwater Estuaries. 

Features include:

• Kiosk offering refreshments 9am to 3.30pm most weekends and holidays.
• Play area.
• Sandy beach (check tide times) where you can sometimes find fossils.
• Walk along the sea wall past the remains of a 17th century blockhouse and WW2 pillboxes can be seen. 
• Wildlife and bird watching hides.
• Toilets next to the car park and kiosk.
• Chargeable parking, download MiPermit app in advance for easy payment (or get the Explorer Pass from Explore Essex).
• Open daily all year round. Car park open from 8am until dusk.

Danbury Country Park

Woodhill Road, Danbury, Chelmsford, CM3 4AW
Website

Set in the grounds of a former palace Danbury Country Park features formal gardens, wildflower meadows, ancient woodland (with 500 year old oak trees) and three lakes, perfect for feeding ducks or enjoying a peaceful stroll. For children there are regular forest school and home education sessions to book, as well as the opportunity to view historic structures such as a Ha-ha (sunken boundary) and ice house, used as storage before refrigerators were invented. 

Features include:

• There is no visitor centre or cafe, but at peak times there is often an ice cream van.
• Search for the surviving historic structures including a Ha-ha and ice house.
• Surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• Toilets next to the main (lakes) car park open all year round, toilets next to the smaller Woods car park are open in summer only.  
• Dogs allowed.
• Fishing (with permit).
• Free entry.
• Chargeable parking, download MiPermit app in advance for easy payment (or get the Explorer Pass from Explore Essex).
• Open 8am to dusk. 

Read more about what to expect when visiting in our review here.

Get back to nature at Danbury Country Park

Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve

South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Colchester CO5 7DN
Website

Features include: 

• An Essex Wildlife Trust visitor's centre with café is open 10am-4pm in Winter and 10am-5pm Summer.
• There is a small play area next to the centre with a couple of tunnels and a balance beam. 
• There are 3 short marked trails and footpaths.
• Bird and wildlife hides.
• There are animals grazing, wildlife and adders so it is recommended to stick to paths.
• There are toilets in the visitor centre.
• Dogs are not allowed onto the reserve or in the centre, but there is a dog walking route along the edge of the site.
• Free entry.
• Free parking.

Great Notley Country Park

Great Notley, Braintree, Essex, England, CM77 7FS
Website

This park just outside Braintree has plenty for families of all ages with its Sky Ropes Adventure Course (book in advance), selection of slides, climbing frames and playhouses. It even boasts Essex’s longest play trail, featuring a particularly popular giant seesaw that can be moved by running along it. Spanning over 100 acres, it offers plenty of quieter space for picnics, walks and cycling with a fishing lake and wildflower meadows to explore. 

Features include:

• Café with toilets open 8.30am to 3.30am weekends and holidays. There is also normally an ice cream van.
• The play trail sees play areas stretched out over 1.2km with a range of equipment for all ages and ending in a large sandpit.
• There is a cycling and horse riding route across the top and westside of the park.
• Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leads around the playtrail. 
• Fishing is allowed in the large lake (with permits).
• Free entry.
• Chargeable parking, download MiPermit app in advance for easy payment (or get the Explorer Pass from Explore Essex). 
• Open 8am to dusk.

The play trail covers over a kilometre at Great Notley Country Park

Gunpowder Park

Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey, EN9 3GP
Website

Originally a munitions testing ground for the Ministry of Defence, it is now transformed into varied landscapes including grassland and marsh.

Features include:

• There is no visitors centre or café.
• There is no play area.
• The main paths around the site are well surfaced making them good for wheelchairs, pushchairs, cycling and scooting.
• There are toilets next to the car park.
• Dogs welcome.
• Free entry.
• Chargeable parking. Pay by card on site or using the Parking Eye app (Evology location 806338)
• Open everyday.

Explore grassland and marsh at this former munitions testing ground

Hadleigh Country Park

Chapel Lane, Benfleet, SS7 2PP
Website

This 300-acre park in Benfleet is home to one of the largest green spaces in Essex. It is a great place to try mountain biking as the trails of differing difficulty were used in the 2012 Olympics. It also boasts a Skills Area and Pump Track for cyclists of all ages. If walking make sure you stick to the footpaths and be careful with cyclists.

Features include:

• The Hub cafe is run by The Salvation Army (normally open 9.30am to 4pm).
• There is a play area suitable for children up to age 9.
• The most popular activity at Hadleigh Country Park is cycling, it has a great range of trails for all abilities.
• There are walking trails which were recently resurfaced ranging from 1.5km to a 9km loop of the park.
• See grazing goats, cows, sheep and a herd of red poll cattle - dogs must be on a lead in these areas.
• Toilets are available from 8.30am to 4pm.
• Dogs allowed.
• Free entry.
• Chargeable parking, download MiPermit app in advance for easy payment (or get the Explorer Pass from Explore Essex). 
• Open 8am to dusk.

Hainault Forest Country Park

Fox Burrow Road, Chigwell, IG7 4QN
Website

This large forest is on the edge of Essex and the London Borough of Redbridge. It is run as a partnership between The Woodland Trust, London Borough of Redbridge and Vision RCL. There are car parks on the Essex side of the park, but for children the best place to head to is the main car park off Romford Road next to the small farm, playground, visitors centre and cafe.

Features include:

• Woodland Trust visitors centre and shop (Thursday to Sunday 11am to 3pm)
• Cafe 1856 (9am to 4pm) has a good amount of seating, the smaller Global cafe is nearer the entrance on Foxburrow Road and ice cream van open at peak times.
• Play area. 
• Small free farm (donations encouraged) closed Mondays in term time.
• Land train runs peak times (chargeable)
• Craft courtyard has a couple of workshops including Pottery in the Park (pottery painting).
• There are lots of way marked trails around the Forest.
• Main toilets available in Cafe 1856, there are also some toilets near Global Cafe, but these are more of the public toilety type of toilets.
• Dogs are welcome in the forest (but not in the playground or farm).
• Chargeable parking, payment by the RingGo app only.
• Opening hours of main car park 8am to roughly dusk, but there are pedestrian entrances around the forest.

Hainault Forest Country Park on the border of Essex and London has plenty to explore

Hanningfield Reservoir Discovery Park

Hawkswood Road, Downham, Billericay CM11 1WT
Website

Run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, Hanningfield Reservoir in Billericay is a haven for families who enjoy exploring nature. It overlooks the 870 acre reservoir and is home to the popular The Wind in the Willows Trail.  

Features include:

• An Essex Wildlife Trust Discovery centre with café is open 10am-4pm in Winter and 10am-5pm Summer.
• There is no playground at this location however you can walk round the reservoir to Hanningfield Waterside Park which has a playground (about an hour's walk each way or a 5 minute drive).
• The Wind in Willows sculpture trail (1.2km) has wooden carvings from the book and you can make brass rubbings at each location of the related animal.
• There are a couple of other longer marked trails, although it's worth noting that while close to the reservoir you generally can't see the water from the paths due to foliage in the way.
• There are several bird hides looking out over the reservoir including an accessible bird hide. You can also look out over the reservoir from the Discovery Centre.
• There are toilets in the Discovery Centre and at the Waterside Park.
• No dogs are allowed on the reserve (accept assistance dogs)
• Free entry, but donations encouraged. Access to the reserve is via the Discovery Centre (so only within the opening hours)
• Free parking. 

Find the Wind In The Willows characters at the Hanningfield Reservoir Trail

Hatfield Forest

Bush End Road, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford CM22 6NE
Website

A rare example of a medieval royal hunting forest managed by the National Trust.  

Features include:

• A Visitor's Hub and cafe are available near the lake. The opening hours of the hub and cafe vary so it's worth checking on the website before visiting.
• There is no play area for children.
• Rowing boats are available from May at weekends and school holidays (12.00pm to 4.00pm. 5 max in a boat, £10 for 30 min, card only payment).
• Check out the Shell House (a Georgian picnic shelter covered in shells).
• Toilets are next to the cafe.
• Dogs are welcome, but should be kept on leads near livestock.
• Free entry.
• Car parking is free for National Trust members, or £9 for non-members (PayByPhone app to pay for parking or pay by card at the gate). 
• There are 3 car parks, the grass car park is closed in Winter. Parking is limited when the grass car parks aren't open. 
• Check the National Trust website before visiting for opening hours of the car parks and facilities. They are not open every day (especially out of season).

High Woods Country Park

High Woods Country Park, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JR
Website

This 150 acres country park in Colchester is just to the North of the City Centre. It has a combination of fields, woodland and lakes. 

Features include:

• There is a visitor centre at the Turner Road entrance which sells refreshments. Open 10-4 everyday. 
• There are play areas spread over 3 areas for a range of ages.
• There are waymarked routes taking from 30 minutes to 2 hours, as well as a shorter nature trails. You can get maps at the visitors centre.
• Many of the paths are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
• The toilets are next door to the visitors centre and are open 9.30-4.30.
• Dogs are welcome and can be off lead in some areas.
• Fishing allowed (with permit).
• Free entry.
• There are two car parks, the one at Turner Road is pay and display and the Chanterelle car park is free. They are open dawn til desk.
• There are pedestrian entrances around the park which are always open. 

Hornchurch Country Park

Hornchurch Country Park, Squadrons Approach, Hornchurch RM12 6DF
Essex Wildlife Trust Ingrebourne Valley website (for the Visitors Centre)
Havering council Country Park website (for general park information)

The larger Hornchurch Country Park includes Ingrebourne Valley Discovery Centre, a partnership between Essex Wildlife Trust and Havering Council. The Country Park is managed by Havering Council

Features include:

• Essex Wildlife Trust Visitors Centre with cafe open 10am-4pm in Winter and 10am-5pm Summer.
• There is a children's play area including a model spitfire as a nod to the areas history as an RAF airbase in both world wars.
• There are toilets in the Visitors Centre.
• Dogs allowed (except in the Visitors Centre).
• There are two free car parks: one at Squadrons Approach and a second smaller one off of South End Road at Albyns Farm. Car parks are open 8am to dusk.
• There is no restriction to pedestrian access.

Hylands Estate

London Road, Chelmsford CM2 8WQ
Website

The 574 parkland surrounding the Grade II* listed house is open to the public with a combination of parkland, woodland and formal gardens. In the summer months there are events which sometimes close some or all of the Estate so check the website before visiting. 

Features include:

• A cafe in the Stables area as well as a food concession near the playground.
• In the Stables area there are toilets, a bookshop, artist studios and a shop selling the artist products.
• There is a large castle themed play area next to the car park off Greenbury Way.
• The Chelmsford branch of Go Ape is located at Hylands Estate.
• There are paths around the Estate, some of which are wheelchair accessible.
• There are toilets in the Stables area, by the playground and in the House (only accessible during the free monthly open day on the 3rd Sunday of each month).
• Dogs are welcome across the Estate, except in the Stables area and playground.
• The Estate is free entry apart from when there are events on.
• There are 3 car parks, 2 can be accessed via the London Road entrance (signposted Hylands House) and the other via Greenbury Way (signposted Hylands Estate or Go Ape). Parking is chargeable, with a discount for Chelmsford residents via the MiPermit app.
• Gates open at 7.30am and close at dusk. Parking charged between 9am and 6pm.

Hylands Estate has large open spaces, woodland, formal gardens and a great playground

King George's Playing Fields

Ingrave Road, Brentwood CM13 2FD
Website

This park in Brentwood has lots of space to run around as well as a whole range of activities (inside and out) making it a great place to visit with children, but it can get expensive.

Features include:

• Hartswood Pavillion houses many of the activities (including TAGactive and soft play) as well as a cafe and toilets.
• Outside there are paid for activities including a splash pad (seasonal), a playground and mini golf.
• There are also free activities including another play area and the skate park.
• There are footpaths through the wider area of the park including one that runs through Hartswood to Thorndon Country Park (see below)
• There are toilets in the pavillion as well as near the splash pad.
• Dogs are welcome around the park, but not inside any of the activity areas.
• Entry to the playing fields and country park is free, but many of the activities have to be booked and paid for.
• There are 4 car parks, 3 of which can be accessed from Ingrave Road and the other from Hartswood Road. They are all chargeable and have different opening hours.

Find out more in our review here.

King George's Playing Fields has plenty of activities

Langdon Nature Reserve 

Lower Dunton Road, Basildon SS16 6EJ
Website

Langdon Nature Reserve offers 461 acres of wonderfully diverse habitats perfect for families looking to connect with nature. The site features ancient woodland, flower rich meadows and a large lake that creates a haven for wildlife throughout the year.

Features include:

• The Discovery Centre with cafe is open everyday 10am-5pm Summer, 10am-4pm Winter.
• There used to be a play area, but it has been removed.
• Pick up a map from the Discovery Centre (£) for the Peter Rabbit wooden sculpture trail (1.2km).
• There are a couple of other short trails that are a good distance for children including round the lake (also suitable for pushchairs/ wheelchairs, but they can get muddy in places)
• There are toilets available in the visitors centre.
• Dogs are welcome on the reserve, but not in the visitors centre.
• Free entry, but donations encouraged.
• Free parking

Read more about visiting in our review here.

Maldon Promenade Park

Promenade Park, Park Drive, Maldon, Essex, CM9 5JQ
Website 

Maldon Promenade Park offers a perfect day out for families with its mix of traditional seaside activities and modern amenities. Set alongside the Blackwater Estuary, this historic park combines natural beauty with family entertainment. 

It is very popular in the summer so arrive early or expect to park further out.

Features include:

• A splash park (seasonal, book here).
• A new adventure playground next to the splash park. There is also a small playground near the church.
• A sandpit.
• Model boating lake.
• Waterside walking trails where you can enjoy seeing boats in the quay
• Next to the park there is Pirates Bay Adventure Golf and Maldon Petting Zoo (both chargeable).
• There are lots of food concessions (including a great place for seafood next to the sandpit).
• Public toilets.
• Accessible paths.
• Throughout the year there are some festivals and fairs eg Food and Drink Festival held annually (2025 dates: April 20th-21st).
• Parking at the park is available 7am to 9pm Summer, 7.30am to 6pm Winter.
• Parking costs £1.70 for an hour, £3.40 for 2 hours or £8 all day. You can pay by card or on the RingGo app. Car parks in the town centre are cheaper, but further to walk to the park.

Markshall Estate

Marks Hall Road, Coggeshall, CO6 1TG
Website

Covering over 200 acres this arboretum and gardens has lots of different areas to explore. You can take a wander through Europe, South America, North America and Asia (or at least their plants). Unlike most of the parks in this list, you need to pay for entry to the Estate.

Features include:

Check out our guide to visiting here.

Markshall Estate has plenty to explore for both adults and children

Marsh Farm Country Park

Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5WP
Website

Not to be confused with Marsh Farm Adventure Park, which is a separate family attraction in the same area.  Marsh Farm Country Park is on the banks of River Crouch. Great for walking, running (including South Woodham Ferrers Park Run), cycling, dog walking and bird watching.

Features include:

Parndon Wood Nature Reserve

Parndon Wood Road, Harlow CM19 4SF
Website

Ancient woodland that is a Special Site of Scientific Interest due to the plant life. Previously run on behalf of the council by ECCO who ran various events, which no longer take place. 

Features include:

• There is a centre which had toilets, but this was run by Ecco so they are probably not currently open.
• There is a 1.5km trail as well as other tracks and paths.
• There are wildlife hides where you may spot muntjac deer or green woodpeckers
• Dogs are allowed in the picnic area but not on the woodland trails.
• Limited opening hours (currently Thursday 2 to 7pm, Friday 11am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm).

Thurrock Thameside Nature Park

Mucking Wharf Road, Stanford-le-Hope SS17 0RN
Website

With views over Mucking Flats and the Thames Estuary this park is a bird watchers paradise, but it was once a landfill site. With a play area and visitors centre it is a lovely place to visit.

Features include:

• A visitor centre with panoramic views and cafe. Open everyday 10am-5pm Summer, 10am-4pm Winter.
• Play areas for older and younger children. 
• Regular bookable activities for children organised by Essex Wildlife Trust.
• Explore the trails around the park, or connect with footpaths cycle ways nearby including the Thames Estuary path route which is 27 miles from Tilbury to Leigh on Sea.
• Enjoy the wildlife from the paths, bird hides or rooftop of the visitors centre.
• Toilets available in the visitors centre in opening hours.
• Dogs allowed on leads and under control (there are grazing animals and nesting birds).
• Free entry.
• A small car park is open 8.30am to 4.30pm near the turn off with a larger car park for 80 cars down the track near the visitors centre.  

Check out our tips for visiting here.

Enjoy the view from the roof of Thurrock Thameside Discover Centre

Thames Chase

Thames Chase Forest Centre, Pike Lane, Upminster RM14 3NS

Thames Chase Forest Centre is managed by the Thames Chase Trust
Thames Chase is managed by Forestry England.

A community forest next to the M25. While the sound of cars can be heard in the distance there is a nice visitors centre, a friendly cafe and a choice of short trails. 

Features include:

• The Forest Centre includes a Tea Room which is open 10am to 4pm in Summer and 10am to 3pm in Winter (subject to variation). The centre closes an hour later.
• A new children's play area with accessible features has been opened Spring 2025.
• There are several short trails through the woodland.
• One of the trails is The Stickman Trail which has a number of signs to spot with activities on. You can also get a trail pack with stickers, lanyard and other activities in.
• Dogs are welcome.
• Regular events and activities take place at the centre.
• Toilets available in the visitors centre. 
• Car parking costs £2 peak, £1 off peak (November to mid March).

The Forest Centre at Thames Chase

Thorndon Country Park

Thorndon Country Park, Brentwood, Warley CM13 3RZ
The Country Park is managed by the council and the Essex Wildlife Trust manages the Discovery Centre. 

Set in over 500 acres, Thorndon Country Park is known for its popular Gruffalo Trail, which brings characters from the beloved storybook to life through hand-crafted carvings hidden along the pathways (maps are 80p from the Countryside Centre at Thorndon North). The park’s mix of woodland and open parkland offers something for everyone, and there are plenty of picnic tables and a café for refreshments as well as a dog activity course for any furry family members.

Features include:

• Visitors centre and cafe run by the Essex Wildlife Trust (open 9.30am to 4pm Winter, 10am to 5pm Summer)
• There is no play area at this location.
• Explore the Gruffalo Trail to find wooden sculptures of characters from the Julia Donaldson book (and the Gruffalo's child too). When open you can buy a map (and a whole host of Julia Donaldson merchandise in the Visitor's Centre.
• There are other marked trails including a 5 mile loop and a Bridleway. There is also a Heritage Trail route from Thorndon South.
• Toilets available (separate to visitors centre)
• The car parking for the visitors centre and Gruffalo Trail is at Thorndon North Car Park with an additional car park at Thorndon South.
• Car parks open from 8am to dusk. Chargeable from £2.80 for 1 hour to £6.30 for all day. 

Read about visiting the Gruffalo Trail here.

Meet the Gruffalo and friends at Thorndon Country Park, Essex

Wat Tyler Country Park

Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, Basildon SS16 4UH
Website
Also check out their Facebook page for events.

A unique park combining natural beauty with industrial heritage. It covers 165 acres and is a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  

Features include:

• There is a kiosk for food and a cafe in the visitors centre. Visitors Centre is open 10am to 4.30, but food concessions may be open shorter hours.  
• There is a great playground which has a number of accessible options. 
• The miniature railway has been closed for years, but it should be open again from May 2025. It's called Basildon Miniature Railway, check them out on Facebook for updates.
• There are a number of trails including a sculpture trail, you can find the routes here.
• There are bird hides and a RSPB Wildlife Garden.
• Toilets available in the visitors centre.
• Dogs on leads welcome.
• Free parking.
• Winter opening hours 9am to 5pm (play area closes 30 minutes before), Summer closing time is later.

Read more about visiting in our review.

Wat Tyler Country Park has a brilliant playground and plenty more to explore

Weald Country Park

Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, England, CM14 5QS
Website

Weald Country Park is a family favourite, covering over 500 acres of woodlands, wildflower meadows, and open grassland. Families will enjoy the Stick Man sculpture trail, the playgrounds and feeding the deer and ducks. 

Features include:

• The Wiggly Bush Cafe and shop open 9.30am to 3.45pm at weekends and 10am to 3.30pm weekdays. There is also often a food or ice cream van in the main car park.
• There are two play areas: one near the playground which is better suited to younger children and includes a small sand pit, and another on the far side of the lake which is better for older children. There is also a great area for den building next to this.
• There is a wooden sculpture trail with characters from the Stick Man story (Julia Donaldson) around the lake.
• There are also longer trails including a Heritage Trail, you can see information here. 
• You can buy food for the deer (feed through chutes) and ducks from the cafe.
• Fishing allowed with the right permits.
• Dogs welcome.
• Free entry.
• There are multiple car parks, when visiting with children the easiest is the main one next to the cafe.
• Parking can be paid by card or via MiPermit. It costs £3 for up to one hour to £6.30 all day. 
• The park is open 8am to dusk.

Enjoy the play areas, walks and Stickman sculpture trail at Weald Country Park

Whether your children love climbing, wildlife spotting or picnics, Essex’s country parks truly offer something for everyone. With their well maintained facilities and natural beauty, these parks promise endless possibilities for family days out and new adventures every time you visit.

Find which parks are near you on this map