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Check out amazing activities and exciting events at our unique collection of Essex Country Parks and heritage places. From Forest School to parkrun there are lots of ways to make the most of the amazing places on your doorstep and beyond.

Browse our blogs for ideas on what to do and where to go.

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Autumn Spotters Guide 2025 1

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 about Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0431

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 for Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Woodland Play under five's Forest School: Danbury Country Park
Shutterstock 303586721

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 for Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Forest School sessions for Home Ed: Danbury Country Park
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 for Essex Record Office Presents: Essex Women's Commemoration Project Find out more about Essex Record Office Presents: Essex Women's Commemoration Project
Lo res EO Lock Oct24 095 2

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 for The Lock Climbing Wall: Give it a go sessions (Adults) Find out more about The Lock Climbing Wall: Give it a go sessions (Adults)
Lo res EO Lock Oct24 090 1

Events

The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb (Two evenings)

This course is recommended for those who want to learn the fundamentals of climbing and how to stay safe in a climbing wall. The course covers all the basics you will need to be able to climb unsupervised in an indoor climbing wall.

  • Dates:
    • December 1, 2025
    • February 2, 2026
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
  • For adults
  • Price: £78.00 course fee includes all tuition and kit hire plus wall membership (approx. £20.00) to make climbing at The Lock even easier.
Buy tickets for The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb (Two evenings) Find out more about The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb (Two evenings)
Lo res EO Lock Oct24 090 1

Events

The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb - One Day

This course is recommended for those who want to learn the basics of climbing and how to stay safe on a climbing wall. The course covers all of the basics you will need to be able to climb unsupervised in an indoor climbing wall.

  • Dates:
    • December 7, 2025
    • December 21, 2025
    • January 18, 2026
    • February 1, 2026
    • February 15, 2026
  • Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
  • Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
  • For adults
  • Price: £78.00 course fee includes all tuition and kit hire plus wall membership (Approx. £20.00) to make climbing at The Lock even easier.
Buy tickets for The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb - One Day Find out more about The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb - One Day
SM Asset 1080 x 1080px

Events

Mental Elf 2025 Festive Fun Walk/Run at Weald Country Park

Get ready to jingle all the way at Mental Elf - a merry 2.5 or 5k walk/run that's all about festive fun, community spirit and raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

  • Dates: December 7, 2025
  • Venue: Weald Country Park
  • Times: 11:00am - 12:30pm
  • For the whole family
  • Price: Place price incl. booking fee £8.62 - £12.94.
Buy tickets for Mental Elf 2025 Festive Fun Walk/Run at Weald Country Park Find out more about Mental Elf 2025 Festive Fun Walk/Run at Weald Country Park
Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0683

Events

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:
    • December 13, 2025
  • 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.
Buy tickets for Family Forest School: Danbury Country Park Find out more about Family Forest School: Danbury Country Park

Event location map

Cressing Temple barn

Site Hire

Many of our parks and places are available for event and 3rd party hire.

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Filming

Our parks and places are available for filming.

Find out more about Filming