Halloween at the Essex Country Parks
For a spooktacular experience this half term holiday head to the Essex Country Parks.
Posted on 27th September 2023
Monster Mysteries Trail
Head to the Essex Country Parks this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail.
Count the curious creatures lurking in the park. Find the magic numbers and help the rangers to create a spell to send the monsters home!
Available at:
- Belhus Woods Country Park
- Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Danbury Country Park
- Great Notley Country Park
- Thorndon Country Park (North)
- Weald Country Park
Running from Saturday 14 October to Tuesday 31 October.
Find the individual listings at the bottom of this page.
- Download the trail PDF straight to your phone
- Download the Monster Mysteries trail sheet to print at home
- Download more Halloween Mysteries to print at home
- Download Halloween Activities to do at home
Discover how to enter the prize draw to win an Explorer Pass below.
Trails are funded by the Essex Year of Numbers.

Spooky Forest School Sessions
*These sessions are currently fully booked*
To add your name and email to a waiting list please contact: Education.rangers@essexoutdoors.com
Please include the following information: Childs name, age, AM or PM session and a mobile number.
Enjoy amazing activities such as potion and broomstick making, cook ghoulish marshmallows on the camp fire, take part in a scary Scavenger Hunt and so much more (activities may vary depending on the site and weather!).
Running on Monday 23 October at Thorndon, Wednesday 25 October at Danbury and Friday 27 October at Great Notley Country Park, at 10am to 12pm and 12.30pm to 2.30pm.
Sessions must be booked online in advance.
(Please note that in order to provide a high-quality experience and materials, we won't be able to accommodate drop-ins on the day.)
Sessions are funded by the Essex Year of Numbers.

Monster Mysteries Trail Prize Draw
Complete the Monster Mysteries Trail and encourage your children to add up their answers to find the 'magic number' to help complete the spell to send the monsters back to where they came from.
Email in your magic number total to: Explore-Essex@essex.gov.uk to enter our prize draw.
You could win an Explorer Pass (worth £85) and a goody bag or Sky Ropes voucher.
Good luck!
These activities are both supported by the Essex Year of Numbers, a countywide campaign that aims to inspire a love of learning, with a focus on numeracy.


Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Autumn has arrived and the parks are brimming with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.
- Dates: September 21 - December 31, 2023
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price:

The Deepenings Trail at Cudmore Grove
Enjoy this walking trail as you explore The Deepenings.
- Dates: October 12, 2023 - April 30, 2024
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Jane Stewart: Essex Birds
'Essex Birds' is an exhibition of work by all female, or female identifying Essex based artists, curated by Jane Stewart.
- Dates: November 4 - December 17, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Great Notley Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part

Cudmore Grove Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Weald Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Autumn has arrived and the parks are brimming with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.
- Dates: September 21 - December 31, 2023
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price:

The Deepenings Trail at Cudmore Grove
Enjoy this walking trail as you explore The Deepenings.
- Dates: October 12, 2023 - April 30, 2024
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Jane Stewart: Essex Birds
'Essex Birds' is an exhibition of work by all female, or female identifying Essex based artists, curated by Jane Stewart.
- Dates: November 4 - December 17, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Great Notley Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part

Cudmore Grove Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Weald Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free