Our parks and places
Discover some of the best country parks and places for a great family day out in Essex. The mix of open spaces, kids play areas, lakes and woodland in the Essex Country Parks provide the perfect spaces to walk, run and play whatever your age.
Explore Essex is delighted to announce that the Essex County Council country parks have been recognised for their excellent standards by being awarded Green Flag status again for 2022/23.
The Green Flag awards recognise and reward well managed parks throughout the country and demonstrate that the spaces meet the needs of the communities that they serve.
The international award confirms that the Essex Country Parks boast the highest possible environmental standards, are well maintained and have excellent visitor facilities.
The Essex Country Parks of Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Danbury, Great Notley, Hadleigh Thorndon and Weald, have all received Green Flag status.
Explore our blogs to help inspire your day out here.
Places search results
Alderford Water Mill
Restored, Grade II-listed timber building, typical of rural water mills and one of the best preserved in Essex. The water wheel often runs on open days.
- Alderford Street, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, CO9 3HZ
Beeleigh Steam Mill
One of the most attractive and fascinating mills in East Anglia, Beeleigh Mill includes a rare beam engine and elephant boiler. Open by appointment.
- Abbey Turning, Maldon, CM9 6LJ
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
Cressing Temple Barns
Experience a unique piece of history at the 13th century, Knights Templar Barns, complete with restored Tudor walled garden and Tiptree tea rooms.
- Witham Road, Braintree, Cressing, CM77 8PD
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
Danbury Country Park
Featuring 45 acres of grade II listed park and gardens with lakes, ancient woodland, wildflower meadow and historic features. Ideal for walking, families and picnics with friends.
- Woodhill Road , Chelmsford, Danbury, CM3 4AW
Essex Outdoors Bradwell
The Essex Outdoors centre at Bradwell is a coastal outdoor education centre, based on the River Blackwater Estuary, a lovely stretch of sheltered tidal water on the east coast of Essex. Delivering high-quality residential and day-based outdoor education programmes, Bradwell is recognised as a leading provider of sailing, yachting and water sport activities. The small waterside site packs in a lot: full residential facilities in our main building plus extra spaces in our new onsite tent village.
- Waterside Road, Southminster, CM0 7QY
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
Essex Outdoors Harlow
A Specialist climbing and paddle-sports centre. Essex Outdoors Harlow also boasts 'The Lock' -one of the largest indoor climbing walls in the South East. You can access miles of tranquil waterways, the ideal environment to learn to canoe, kayak, stand up paddleboard or even try your hand at ‘bumble’ – our unique urban version of coasteering!
- Burnt Mill Lane, Harlow, CM20 2QS
Essex Outdoors Mersea
With over 60 acres of beautiful grounds and commanding far-reaching views across the estuary, you can discover many thrilling adventures at Essex Outdoors Mersea. The coastal location is quite special. The surrounding marshes and beaches make it the ideal environment for shore-based studies with access to a small field study centre in a creek nearby, only reachable by boat. A new Lake will also be available to our customers in 2020!
- Rewsalls Lane, Colchester, CO5 8SX
Essex Record Office
The storehouse of Essex history, discover documents, images, and recordings that together tell the story of nearly 1,000 years of our county's past.
- Wharf Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6YT
Finchingfield Post Mill
Grade II-listed Finchingfield Post Mill is the oldest windmill in Essex, built around 1756. It overlooks the picturesque village of Finchingfield.
- Duck End, Finchingfield, Braintree, CM7 4NA
Flitch Way
Enjoy 15 miles of flat, traffic free, beautiful Essex countryside following a former railway line from Braintree to Bishops Stortford. Perfect for walking, cycling and horse riding.
- Braintree, CM77 7FS
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
Hadleigh Country Park
Not only one of the UK's top mountain biking courses, Hadleigh Park offers something for everyone – idyllic countryside, magnificent views, a café and important historical sites.
- Chapel Lane, Benfleet, SS7 2PP
Jaywick Martello Tower
A renovated Martello Tower, Jaywick is a thriving arts, heritage and community venue on the beautiful Jaywick Sands coastline near Clacton-on-Sea.
- The Promenade, Belsize Ave, Clacton-on-Sea,, CO15 2LF
Marsh Farm Country Park
A 300-acre country park adjacent to the River Crouch, offering scenic walks with fantastic views over the country park and the river.
- South Woodham Ferrers, , Chelmsford , CM3 5WP
Mountnessing Post Mill
Built in 1807, Mountnessing Post Mill is the nearest Essex mill to London. Fully restored to working order, it sees many visitors and lends itself to photographs.
- Roman Road, Mountnessing, Brentwood, CM15 0UG
Sky Ropes
Your family adventure starts here! Swing, swoop and soar on our specially designed Sky Ropes.
- Essex, Braintree, CM77 7FS
Stock Tower Mill
Popular 5-storey Grade II listed tower mill with six-bladed fantail, built around 1804, restored complete with several floors of machinery.
- Mill Lane, Stock, Ingatestone, CM4 9NE
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
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
Weald Country Park
Famous for its deer park, Weald boasts spectacular views and space, covering over 520 acres of woodland, wildflower meadows and open grassland.
- Weald Road, Brentwood, CM14 5QS
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Featured events
23 ways to Explore Essex in 2023 with family and friends
23 ideas to kick start 2023 from walks to birdwatching, kid's play to family history, there's something for everyone.
- Dates: January 1 - April 30, 2023
- Times: 8:00am - 7:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Mostly free - see feature for more information
Jaywick Martello Tower: Coastal Open 2023
We are now accepting applications for the Coastal Open 2023.
- Dates: March 28 - August 11, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 12:00pm - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: N/A
Jaywick Martello Tower Spring Talk 2023: Raising the curtain on the Aurora Borealis
Join us at Jaywick Martello Tower for the final of our Spring Talks 2023 series about The Northern lights, which provide one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on Earth.
- Dates: March 31, 2023
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 11:00am - 12:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Tickets are £2.00 per talk or pay for all five talks in advance and get the final talk free.
Temple at War
Military and vintage show, with a variety of displays, explosive battles, outstanding shows, RAF flyover, vintage stalls and memorabilia
- Dates: May 13 - 14, 2023
- Venue: Cressing Temple Barns
- For the whole family
- Price:
Explore Essex
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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.