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:

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.

Summer Magic illustration of wizard, fairy and troll

child in tutu skirt holding a wand doing a star jump against the sun and sky

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.

Events

Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Autumn has arrived and the parks are bursting with colour. See how many of these seasonal sights you can spot on your next trip to an Essex Country Park.

Dates: September 10, 2025 - January 31, 2026
Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
For the whole family
Price:

Find out more

Events

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:
- ~~November 24, 2025~~
- December 1, 2025
- December 8, 2025
Venue: Danbury Country Park
Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
For under 5s
Price: Now booking for September and November 2025. Six weeks for £51. Sibling discounts available.

Buy tickets Find out more

Events

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:
- November 24, 2025
- December 1, 2025
- December 8, 2025
Venue: Danbury Country Park
Times: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Primary School aged children
Price: Now booking for September 2025. Six weeks for £51. Sibling discounts available.

Buy tickets Find out more

The Lord Lieutenant Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst unveiling the plaque to Katherine Mina Courtauld Colne Engaine 13 May 2023 artwork by Juliet Townsend Brian Fleming

Events

Essex Record Office Presents: Essex Women's Commemoration Project

Join speaker Dr. James Bettley for this talk and learn about the project to identity distinguished Essex women who have not received the public recognition they deserve.

Dates: November 25, 2025
Venue: Essex Record Office
Times: 10:30am - 12:00pm
For adults
Price: £6.50

Buy tickets Find out more

Events

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:
- November 27, 2025
- December 18, 2025
Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
Times: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
For adults
Price: £24.00 (course fee includes all tuition and kit hire).

Buy tickets Find out more