Summer Magic at the Essex Country Parks
Make it an enchanted summer at the Essex Country Parks with our free trail and more!
Posted on 8th July 2024
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.
Download the Summer Magic trail sheet, choose Unicorn or Dragon.
Running throughout the school summer holidays, from Saturday 20 July 2024 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.


Jaywick Martello Tower: Joy in Colour – Glenda Wakeman
Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of "Joy in Colour".
- Dates: April 3 - 27, 2025
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

ERO Presents: Discovering the Industrial Revolution in Essex
Join the Essex Record Office to celebrate John Booker’s legacy and his past, present and future.
- Dates: April 26, 2025
- Venue: Essex Record Office
- Times: 9:30am - 1:00pm
- For adults
- Price: Tickets from £11.50

Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park
Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.
- Dates:
- April 28, 2025
- June 2, 2025
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Now booking for 2025. Call to book for March 2025 sessions spaces available.

Home Education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park
Aimed at home educated children, this series of six sessions at Danbury Country Park includes nature activities, forest crafts, imagination, physical play and building things.
- Dates:
- April 28, 2025
- June 2, 2025
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Now booking for March 2025. Sibling discounts available.

*Sold Out* Extraordinary Essex Film Screening: 'Don’t Fight The Land That Feeds You'
The film follows the journey from soil to kitchen, featuring recipes from around the world made with locally grown ingredients in Essex.
- Dates: May 2, 2025
- Venue: High Street
- Times: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

The Essex Ways with James Lawrence: The Coast
Essex-born storyteller, James Lawrence, is walking an epic 400km across the county to research, record and perform a collection of stories that celebrate the spirit of Essex.
- Dates: May 3 - 15, 2025
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For adults
- Price:

Cressing Temple Barns: Willow workshop garden decorations
Join our workshop and create wonderful willow dragonflies and bulrushes for your garden
- Dates: May 3, 2025
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £70 to 80

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
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

Parkrun: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Hadleigh Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Marsh Farm Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Marsh Farm Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free

Parkrun: Weald Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
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