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 3rd July 2025
Summer Magic Trails: Updated for 2025!
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 19 July 2025 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.
NB: A Bugs and Butterflies trail is running at Hadleigh Country Park summer 2025.


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.

Jaywick Martello Tower: Great Arcana Journey
Discover the timeless wisdom and symbolism of the Major Arcana through stunning collages by Josie Staessen, inspired by the classic tarot Rider-Waite-Smith deck.
- Dates: February 18 - March 8, 2026
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

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:
- March 7, 2026
- April 11, 2026
- May 2, 2026
- June 6, 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.

Parkrun Junior: Great Notley Country Park
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- March 8, 2026
- March 15, 2026
- March 22, 2026
- March 29, 2026
- April 5, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free

Great Notley Country Park: Great Greyhound Walks
Greyhound Walks are for sighthounds, greyhound and lurcher owners who meet on a Sunday morning for an hour's stroll.
- Dates:
- March 8, 2026
- April 12, 2026
- May 10, 2026
- June 14, 2026
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 10:30am - 11:30am
- For the whole family
- Price: Free

Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park
Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.
- Dates:
- March 9, 2026
- March 16, 2026
- March 23, 2026
- April 13, 2026
- April 20, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Now booking for the New Year 2026

Forest School sessions for Home Ed: 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:
- March 9, 2026
- March 16, 2026
- March 23, 2026
- April 13, 2026
- April 20, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Now booking for the New Year 2026. Sibling discounts available.

The Lock Climbing Wall: Give it a go sessions (Adults)
If you want to see what all the fuss is about and want to try climbing for the first time, then this is the course for you. No experience required, just a desire to give it a go!
- Dates:
- March 12, 2026
- March 12, 2026
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
- Times: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
- For adults
- Price: £24.00 (course fee includes all tuition and kit hire).

Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates:
- March 7, 2026
- March 14, 2026
- March 21, 2026
- March 28, 2026
- April 4, 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:
- March 7, 2026
- March 14, 2026
- March 21, 2026
- March 28, 2026
- April 4, 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:
- March 7, 2026
- March 14, 2026
- March 21, 2026
- March 28, 2026
- April 4, 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:
- March 7, 2026
- March 14, 2026
- March 21, 2026
- March 28, 2026
- April 4, 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:
- March 7, 2026
- March 14, 2026
- March 21, 2026
- March 28, 2026
- April 4, 2026
- (continued …)
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Tagged with
Related blogs

3 spring flower walks to awaken the senses
Explore early spring flowers with our walks to awaken your senses and put a spring in your step.
Posted on 18th February 2026
Read article
Exciting investment in kid's play at Essex Country Parks in Spring 2026
Improvements to Belhus Woods, Great Notley and Hadleigh Country Parks children's play areas will take place during spring 2026.
Posted on 1st February 2026
Read article
4 Romantic Park Walks in Essex
Discover romantic spots in the Essex Country Parks with panoramic views for Valentine's Day and beyond.
Posted on 29th January 2026
Read article