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.

Butterfly Trail at Belhus Woods Country Park
Take the new butterfly trail at Belhus Woods Country Park - suitable for everyone.
- Dates: May 1 - August 31, 2026
- Venue: Belhus Woods Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- 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:
- June 21, 2026
- June 28, 2026
- July 5, 2026
- July 12, 2026
- July 19, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Guided Wildlife Walk at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Join BirdAware for a free wildlife walk through Cudmore Grove Country Park.
- Dates: June 21, 2026
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 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:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 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:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Butterfly Trail at Belhus Woods Country Park
Take the new butterfly trail at Belhus Woods Country Park - suitable for everyone.
- Dates: May 1 - August 31, 2026
- Venue: Belhus Woods Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- 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:
- June 21, 2026
- June 28, 2026
- July 5, 2026
- July 12, 2026
- July 19, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Guided Wildlife Walk at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Join BirdAware for a free wildlife walk through Cudmore Grove Country Park.
- Dates: June 21, 2026
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 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:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 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:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Butterfly Trail at Belhus Woods Country Park
Take the new butterfly trail at Belhus Woods Country Park - suitable for everyone.
- Dates: May 1 - August 31, 2026
- Venue: Belhus Woods Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- 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:
- June 21, 2026
- June 28, 2026
- July 5, 2026
- July 12, 2026
- July 19, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Guided Wildlife Walk at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Join BirdAware for a free wildlife walk through Cudmore Grove Country Park.
- Dates: June 21, 2026
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 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:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 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:
- June 20, 2026
- June 27, 2026
- July 4, 2026
- July 11, 2026
- July 18, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
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