Summer Events: Read, Count and Explore in the Parks
Free family summer fun days at the Essex Country Parks with Essex Libraries, TLC, ACL and our very own Education Rangers
Posted on 19th June 2023
Come and join us for FREE* family fun at the Essex Country Parks this summer and ‘Read, Count and Explore in the Parks’ this school holiday.
Enjoy story times and sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge with Essex Libraries, take part in drop-in craft sessions with ACL and our Park Rangers.
Pick up an Animal Mysteries Summer Trail booklet, borrow a Read and Count Under a Tree book bag, and much more.
Bring a blanket and join the teddy bear’s picnic!
Running from 10am to 2pm at various Essex Country Parks from Monday 31 July to Friday 11 August.
These events are part of the Essex County Council Year of Numbers initiative and Year of Reading legacy.
*Car parking charges apply
Read, Count and Explore in the Parks
The events will run from approximately 10am to 2pm on the following dates.
Monday 31 July: Hadleigh Country Park
Thursday 3 August: Thorndon Country Park
Monday 7 August: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Friday 11 August: Great Notley Country Park
![Illustration of large yellow butterfly and three children sitting around a tree.](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/masthead/_720xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/RCE-events-Social-media-square.jpg)
Plan your visit
Plan your visit to Hadleigh Country Park.
Plan your visit to Thorndon Country Park.
Plan your visit to Cudmore Grove Country Park.
Plan your visit to Great Notley Country Park.
Good to Know:
Car parking charges apply at all Essex Country Parks.
Cafes, kiosks or vans serving light refreshments available at all sites.
Toilets open at all sites.
Look out for the Read, Count and Explore Gazebo and come join in the fun.
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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
![Social Media Square](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/Social-Media-Square_2023-07-11-135804_abps.jpg)
Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Hadleigh Country Park
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
- Dates: July 20 - September 1, 2024
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free
![Social Media Square no logos no roundel Copy](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/Social-Media-Square-no-logos-no-roundel-Copy_2024-07-09-155209_luxx.jpg)
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- Dates:
- July 20 - September 1, 2024
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
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- Price: Free
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
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
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
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
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
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