Kids play and trails
Get your kids out and set their imaginations free as they play, climb and soar in beautiful outdoor locations. Specially designed, natural and unique play equipment has been commissioned and developed at many of the parks. Great Notley Country Park boasts the longest play trail in Essex and is also home to Sky Ropes. Find out more and kid about.
Great Notley Country Park
Home to Essex's longest play trail and Sky Ropes, Great Notley Country Park offers the perfect family day out.
- Braintree, Great Notley, CM77 7FS
Cudmore Grove Country Park
A nature reserve with of over 102 acres of unique coastal landscapes and habitat and heritage overlooking the Colne and Blackwater Estuaries.
- Broman's Lane, East Mersea, CO5 8UE
Belhus Woods Country Park
Over 300 acres in South Essex, Belhus Woods Country Park combines ancient woodland, kid's play area, meadows and lakes with a visitor centre and café.
- South Ockendon, Aveley, RM15 4XJ
Weald Country Park
Famous for its deer park and Stick Man trail, Weald boasts spectacular views and space, covering over 520 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and open grassland.
- Weald Road, Brentwood, CM14 5QS
Thorndon Country Park
Colourful woodlands, birdlife, open parkland, fishing and the Gruffalo Trail make Thorndon Country Park the perfect destination for nature lovers, dog walkers and families alike.
- Brentwood, Warley, CM13 3RZ
Essex Outdoors Danbury
Danbury offers a wide variety of programmes including activities such as aerial trekking, canoeing, climbing and mountain biking. Duke of Edinburgh and expedition leadership courses are also run from this site. Danbury’s 70 acre site offers many options for your accommodation, conferencing and room hire needs – catered or self-catering.
- Well Lane, Danbury, CM3 4AB
Sky Ropes
Your family adventure starts here! Swing, swoop and soar on our specially designed Kid’s Play and Sky Ropes.
- Essex, Braintree, CM77 7FS
The Lock Climbing Wall
Welcome to Essex's largest Indoor climbing Centre! Located on the outskirts of Harlow, The Lock climbing wall is one of the most popular climbing walls.
- Burnt Mill, Harlow, CM20 2QS
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Featured events
Essex Book Festival - Story Hunter Events at Essex Country Parks
We are delighted to be partnering with the Essex Book Festival as part of the Explore Essex Summer of Culture - a broad series of events, activities and talks for 2021. Essex Book Festival are running a series of four interactive creative writing workshops and guided tours at our parks and places as part of the Story Hunters project. Book your place at one of these events and get your creative juices flowing! Don't forget to enter the Story Hunters Flash Fiction writing competition.
- Dates: June 27 - August 29, 2021
- Price: £15-£20
Essex Explorer Summer Trails
Turn your kids into mini explorers this summer holiday!
- Dates: July 24 - 25, 2021
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Trail booklets: £2
Art in the Park
Free family Art in the Park sessions at Danbury
- Dates: August 4 - 5, 2021
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 1:00pm
- Primary School aged children
- Price: Free - but please book your space as numbers are limited.
Explore Essex
Search our parks and places to plan your perfect day out
Need to know
Explorer Pass
Save money with your Explorer Pass
Our annual Explore Essex Pass will give you and your family the freedom to explore some of the incredible places and green spaces that Essex has to offer, as many times as you like throughout the year, with free parking at seven country parks, 2 or 1 on Sky Ropes, priority booking on specific events, and 10% discounts at many cafes and visitor centres.