Summer Magic at Essex Country Parks
Make it an enchanted summer at the Essex Country Parks with our free trail and more
Posted on 29th June 2026
Summer Magic Trails
Our Rangers are sure that magical creatures, including fairies, trolls and maybe even unicorns and dragons live deep in the hidden corners of the parks.
But some children seem to have stopped believing in them!
Can you find and count the magical creatures on our Summer Magic trail, to help make the magic stronger?
Pick up a free trail activity sheet from participating sites, or download and print at home.
You can also pick up or print a family summer spotter's sheet.
Running throughout the school summer holidays, from Saturday 18 July 2026 at:
- Belhus Woods Country Park
- Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Danbury Country Park
- Great Notley Country Park
- Thorndon Country Park
- Weald Country Park
- and Cressing Temple Barns
The Summer Magic trail is supported by Essex Year of Numbers.
A Bugs and Butterflies trail is running at Hadleigh Country Park summer 2026.
NB: Car parking fees apply at all sites except for Cressing Temple Barns.
Make your own woodland wand
Make your own woodland wands and bring them when you visit to make magical memories.
Find out how in Essex Explorer magazine.
You might also like FREE Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park. Wild Wednesdays run throughout August.
JMT: Coastal Open 2026
Step into a celebration of creativity at the Coastal Open 2026!
- Dates: September 12 - November 1, 2026
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
JMT Autumn Talk: New Hall, Essex’s unknown Royal Palace
Join Tony Tuckwell for this talk about Henry VIII’s royal palace of Beaulieu.
- Dates: October 9, 2026
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £3.00
Family Forest School: Danbury Country Park
Don’t let the children have all the fun, connecting with nature is beneficial for everyone. Come and join us at our Family Forest School sessions.
- Dates:
- October 10, 2026
- November 7, 2026
- December 5, 2026
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £10 for the first child. £6 for siblings. Accompanying adults Free. Under 18 months free.
Sky Ropes and Sky Ropes Junior at Great Notley
Your family adventure starts here!
- Dates:
- October 10, 2026
- October 11, 2026
- October 17, 2026
- October 18, 2026
- October 31, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:30pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Adult £13.50 Young person (8-17) £13.50, Under 8 £13.50
Parkrun Junior: Great Notley Country Park
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- October 11, 2026
- October 18, 2026
- October 25, 2026
- November 1, 2026
- November 8, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free
Apple Day: Cressing Temple Barns
Join The Friends of Cressing Temple for Apple Day!
- Dates: October 11, 2026
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £4.00 for adults, children (under 18-years-old) free
Great Greyhound Walks: Great Notley Country Park
Greyhound Walks are for sighthounds, greyhound and lurcher owners who meet on a Sunday morning for an hour's stroll.
- Dates:
- October 11, 2026
- November 8, 2026
- December 13, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 10:30am - 11:30am
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- October 10, 2026
- October 17, 2026
- October 24, 2026
- October 31, 2026
- November 7, 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:
- October 10, 2026
- October 17, 2026
- October 24, 2026
- October 31, 2026
- November 7, 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:
- October 10, 2026
- October 17, 2026
- October 24, 2026
- October 31, 2026
- November 7, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Parkrun: Marsh Farm Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- October 10, 2026
- October 17, 2026
- October 24, 2026
- October 31, 2026
- November 7, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Marsh Farm Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Parkrun: Weald Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- October 10, 2026
- October 17, 2026
- October 24, 2026
- October 31, 2026
- November 7, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
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