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.

Autumn Winter Scavenger Hunt
Autumn has arrived and the parks are bursting with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.
- Dates: September 10, 2025 - January 31, 2026
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price:

Essex Libraries: Winter Reading Challenge
Join the Pawfessionals for a winter of reading and fun!
- Dates: January 10 - February 22, 2026
- Times: 12:00pm - 12:00pm
- 4 to 12-years-old
- Price: Free

Parkrun Junior: Great Notley Country Park
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- January 25, 2026
- February 1, 2026
- February 8, 2026
- February 15, 2026
- February 22, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 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:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 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:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Autumn Winter Scavenger Hunt
Autumn has arrived and the parks are bursting with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.
- Dates: September 10, 2025 - January 31, 2026
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price:

Essex Libraries: Winter Reading Challenge
Join the Pawfessionals for a winter of reading and fun!
- Dates: January 10 - February 22, 2026
- Times: 12:00pm - 12:00pm
- 4 to 12-years-old
- Price: Free

Parkrun Junior: Great Notley Country Park
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- January 25, 2026
- February 1, 2026
- February 8, 2026
- February 15, 2026
- February 22, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 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:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 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:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Autumn Winter Scavenger Hunt
Autumn has arrived and the parks are bursting with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.
- Dates: September 10, 2025 - January 31, 2026
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price:

Essex Libraries: Winter Reading Challenge
Join the Pawfessionals for a winter of reading and fun!
- Dates: January 10 - February 22, 2026
- Times: 12:00pm - 12:00pm
- 4 to 12-years-old
- Price: Free

Parkrun Junior: Great Notley Country Park
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- January 25, 2026
- February 1, 2026
- February 8, 2026
- February 15, 2026
- February 22, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 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:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 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:
January 24, 2026- January 31, 2026
- February 7, 2026
- February 14, 2026
- February 21, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Tagged with
Related blogs

12 reasons to visit the 8 Essex Country Parks in 2026
Get out more this New Year to feel good. Invest in the Explorer Pass and visit all year round. Buy in January and get one month free: 13 months for the price of 12.
Posted on 23rd December 2025
Read article
5 festive fun ideas at the Essex Country Parks and places
Enjoy the free family Elf Trail and more at the Essex Country Parks and Places this December.
Posted on 20th November 2025
Read article
Make at Home: Simple Stick Man cookies
These simple Stick Man cookies are sure to brighten up a cold winter’s day for any fans of Julia Donaldson’s and Axel Scheffler’s picture books.
Posted on 10th October 2025
Read article