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.
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
The Gruffalo and Friends 25th Birthday Colouring Competition
Win £50 of goodies every month with our colouring competition
- Dates: February 3 - August 31, 2024
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free to enter
Jaywick Martello Tower: Growing up, digging deep: The story of Scouts, food and farming
Food is central to our lives. We all eat it, talk about it and most of us have a go at cooking or even growing it.
- Dates: March 2 - April 28, 2024
- 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
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
The Gruffalo and Friends 25th Birthday Colouring Competition
Win £50 of goodies every month with our colouring competition
- Dates: February 3 - August 31, 2024
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free to enter
Jaywick Martello Tower: Growing up, digging deep: The story of Scouts, food and farming
Food is central to our lives. We all eat it, talk about it and most of us have a go at cooking or even growing it.
- Dates: March 2 - April 28, 2024
- 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
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
The Gruffalo and Friends 25th Birthday Colouring Competition
Win £50 of goodies every month with our colouring competition
- Dates: February 3 - August 31, 2024
- Venue: Thorndon Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free to enter
Jaywick Martello Tower: Growing up, digging deep: The story of Scouts, food and farming
Food is central to our lives. We all eat it, talk about it and most of us have a go at cooking or even growing it.
- Dates: March 2 - April 28, 2024
- 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