Animal Mysteries Summer Trail
Explore, count and have fun in the Essex Country Parks with these free, family friendly trails
Posted on 25th May 2023
Calling all mini explorers, it’s time for a thrilling adventure with our Animal Mysteries Summer Trail.
Find the animals hiding in the parks, enjoy the fun activities and explore the wonders of nature. Plus, there is a chance for one lucky explorer to win a Colchester Zoo Experience.
Pick up a FREE trail booklet (while stocks last) print at home or download our new Animal Mysteries Summer Trail. Enjoy our selfie boards and share photos #EssexExplorers @exploressex. See what you can spot, tell us about your finds, and enjoy further activities in the park and at home.
Help your children to add up their answers and email us for the chance to win a Colchester Zoo Animal Experience! Find out how to enter and read our full terms and conditions here.
Participating Essex Country Parks:
Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Danbury, Great Notley, Hadleigh, Thorndon (South CM13 3LW) and Weald.
- Download the Trail to your phone here
- Print the Trail at home here
- Print the Summer Spotters Guide here
Part of the Essex County Council Year of Numbers.

You might also like our free Read, Count and Explore in the Parks events taking place in association with Essex Libraries and TLC this summer.
Read more here.

Archive Explorers Club: Essex Record Office
Come along to our free stay and play session for parents, carers and under-fives for an opportunity to meet other parents, enjoy a hot drink, and look through a selection of historic records.
- Dates:
- November 12, 2026
- November 26, 2026
- December 10, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Free

Chai Lates at Colchester Arts Centre
A masala blend like no other; Chai Lates is a series of four unforgettable cabaret-style evenings at Colchester Arts Centre, packed with performances which will leave you craving another cup.
- Dates: November 13, 2026
- Times: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £5.00

North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley
North Essex Astronomical Society is one of the larger astronomical societies in the UK with over 200 members. They are also one of the few providing members with access to a full-sized observatory at a dark-sky location
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part

Parkrun: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Hadleigh Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Archive Explorers Club: Essex Record Office
Come along to our free stay and play session for parents, carers and under-fives for an opportunity to meet other parents, enjoy a hot drink, and look through a selection of historic records.
- Dates:
- November 12, 2026
- November 26, 2026
- December 10, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Free

Chai Lates at Colchester Arts Centre
A masala blend like no other; Chai Lates is a series of four unforgettable cabaret-style evenings at Colchester Arts Centre, packed with performances which will leave you craving another cup.
- Dates: November 13, 2026
- Times: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £5.00

North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley
North Essex Astronomical Society is one of the larger astronomical societies in the UK with over 200 members. They are also one of the few providing members with access to a full-sized observatory at a dark-sky location
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part

Parkrun: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Hadleigh Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Archive Explorers Club: Essex Record Office
Come along to our free stay and play session for parents, carers and under-fives for an opportunity to meet other parents, enjoy a hot drink, and look through a selection of historic records.
- Dates:
- November 12, 2026
- November 26, 2026
- December 10, 2026
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Free

Chai Lates at Colchester Arts Centre
A masala blend like no other; Chai Lates is a series of four unforgettable cabaret-style evenings at Colchester Arts Centre, packed with performances which will leave you craving another cup.
- Dates: November 13, 2026
- Times: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £5.00

North Essex Astronomical Society at Great Notley
North Essex Astronomical Society is one of the larger astronomical societies in the UK with over 200 members. They are also one of the few providing members with access to a full-sized observatory at a dark-sky location
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part

Parkrun: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Hadleigh Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- November 14, 2026
- November 21, 2026
- November 28, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- December 12, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
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