Search Results
Your search for '"country park"' has returned 52 results:

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Great Notley Country Park
Home to Essex's longest play trail and Sky Ropes, Great Notley Country Park offers the perfect family day out.
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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.
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Cudmore Grove Country Park
A nature reserve of over 102 acres of unique coastal landscapes and habitat and heritage features overlooking the Colne and Blackwater Estuaries.
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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.
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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.
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Sky Ropes *Now closed until February half term 2024*
Your family adventure starts here! Swing, swoop and soar on our specially designed Sky Ropes.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Spooky Bat Hunt Trail - Great Notley Country Park
Oct 22, 2022
Trick or Treat? We've got a treat for you this half term to help you get into the Halloween spirit!
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Essex Explorer Bug and Butterfly Summer Trails
Aug 1, 2022
Turn your kids into mini explorers this summer holiday at our Essex Country Parks
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Essex Country Parks Summer Book Hunt
Aug 21, 2021
Join us for the Essex Country Parks Summer Book Hunt this August!
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Spooky Bat Hunt Trails
Oct 22, 2022
Join us at the Essex Country Parks for a Spooky Bat Hunt Trail - can you find all of our little bat friends?
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The Daily Mile at Essex Country Parks
Oct 14, 2021
Discover an everyday walking route at a Country Park near you
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Essex Explorer Magazine
Jan 1, 2022
Packed full of beautiful photography, seasonal features, recommended reads, recipes, competitions and much more.
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Summer of Culture: Essex Multicultural Activities Network at Danbury Country Park
May 29, 2022
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village Satellite Event at the Essex Country Parks.
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Summer of Culture: BrazilArte at Hadleigh Country Park
May 30, 2022
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Satellite Events at the Essex Country Parks.
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Summer of Culture: Efua Sey Cultural Academy at Weald Country Park
May 31, 2022
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village Satellite Events at the Essex Country Parks.
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Summer of Culture: Global Village Finale at Hadleigh Country Park
Jul 3, 2022
Explore the Essex Cultural Diversity Project Global Village Finale event this summer.
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Summer of Culture: Landscape Imaginary 'On The Island' exhibition
May 21, 2022
'On The Island' is a series of 100 short videos depicting artist partnership, Daniel & Clara, in the landscapes of Mersea Island, where they’ve been living since March 2020
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Now: the future community event
Aug 13, 2022
Take part in climate change workshops run by award-winning theatre maker Amanda Kelleher and help create an audio play!
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23 ways to Explore Essex in 2023 with family and friends
Jan 1, 2023
23 ideas to kick start 2023 from walks to birdwatching, kid's play to family history, there's something for everyone.
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Belhus Woods Wetland Trail for all the Family
May 27, 2023
Enjoy our FREE trail this May half term with the family, and discover fascinating facts about wetlands along the way!
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Unfamiliars: The Deepenings Project Artist Workshop
Mar 3, 2023
Join Gemma Garwood from the Deepenings project at Cudmore Grove Country Park.
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The Deepenings Project: Artist Workshop
Mar 17, 2023
Join artist Gemma Garwood from the Deepenings Project for this free event.
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Big Help Out: Behind the Scenes at Belhus Woods Country Park
May 8, 2023
A perfect opportunity for anyone who is interested in volunteering or would like to find out more about the work that goes on behind the scenes at Belhus Woods Country Park.
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Volunteer at Weald Country Park
Jun 1, 2023
With Spring upon us we are looking for volunteers to help with surveying our wildflower meadows.
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Gruffalo Day at Thorndon Country Park
May 20, 2023
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Danbury Wetland Trail for all the Family
May 27, 2023
Enjoy our FREE trail this May half term with the family, and discover fascinating facts about wetlands along the way!
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Cudmore Grove Wetland Trail for all the Family
May 27, 2023
Enjoy our FREE trail this May half term with the family, and discover fascinating facts about wetlands along the way!
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Marsh Farm Country Park Wetland Trail
May 27, 2023
Enjoy our FREE trail this May half term with the family, and discover fascinating facts about wetlands along the way!
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Birdlore Children's Workshop at Cudmore Grove
Jul 2, 2023
Join arts partnership Daniel and Clara for a creative workshop for children aged six and over about the mythology and folklore of birds
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The Deepenings Project: Music and Storytelling Trail
Jun 24, 2023
A small family friendly event with live music, poetry and storytelling set in the beautiful landscape of Cudmore Grove Country Park.
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The Deepenings Project: Midsummer Ritual
Jun 21, 2023
Join The Deepenings Project for a folk art ritual as they mark the summer solstice at Cudmore Grove Country Park.
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Read, Count and Explore at Hadleigh Country Park
Jul 31, 2023
Join us and Essex Libraries for free family fun this summer holiday
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Read, Count and Explore at Thorndon Country Park
Aug 3, 2023
Join us and Essex Libraries for free family fun this summer holiday
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Read, Count and Explore at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Aug 7, 2023
Join us and Essex Libraries for free family fun this summer holiday
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Read, Count and Explore at Great Notley Country Park
Aug 11, 2023
Join us and Essex Libraries for free family fun this summer holiday
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Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Belhus Woods Country Park
Jul 22, 2023
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
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Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Jul 22, 2023
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
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Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Danbury Country Park
Jul 22, 2023
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
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Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Great Notley Country Park
Jul 22, 2023
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
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Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Hadleigh Country Park
Jul 22, 2023
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
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Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Thorndon Country Park (South)
Jul 22, 2023
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
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Animal Mysteries Summer Trail at Weald Country Park
Jul 22, 2023
Help our rangers find the animals hiding in the parks this summer holidays . . .
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Circus Raj returns to Hadleigh Country Park
Sep 1, 2023
At this FREE event you can enjoy aerialists, acrobats, musicians, slack-rope walkers, giant puppets characters and so much more.
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Monster Mysteries Trail at Belhus Woods Country Park
Oct 14, 2023
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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Monster Mysteries Trail at Cudmore Grove Country Park
Oct 14, 2023
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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Monster Mysteries Trail at Danbury Country Park
Oct 14, 2023
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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Monster Mysteries Trail at Great Notley Country Park
Oct 14, 2023
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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Monster Mysteries Trail at Thorndon Country Park
Oct 14, 2023
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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Monster Mysteries Trail at Weald Country Park
Oct 14, 2023
Head to an Essex Country Park this October half term and pick up or download a free Monster Mysteries Trail supported by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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*Sold Out* Spooky Forest School at Thorndon Country Park
Oct 23, 2023
Book this fabulous free Spooky Forest School session for October half term - funded by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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*Sold Out* Spooky Forest School at Danbury Country Park
Oct 25, 2023
Book this fabulous free Spooky Forest School session for October half term - funded by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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*Sold Out* Spooky Forest School at Great Notley Country Park
Oct 27, 2023
Book this fabulous free Spooky Forest School session for October half term - funded by the Essex Year of Numbers.
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The Deepenings Trail at Cudmore Grove
Oct 12, 2023
Enjoy this walking trail as you explore The Deepenings.
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Stick Man Sculpture Trail at Weald Country Park
Nov 25, 2023
Come and enjoy the The Stick Man sculpture trail this winter at Weald Country Park.
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Belhus Woods
Dec 16, 2023
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Cudmore Grove
Dec 16, 2023
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Danbury Country Park
Dec 16, 2023
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Great Notley
Dec 16, 2023
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Hadleigh
Dec 16, 2023
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Thorndon Country Park
Dec 16, 2023
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail at Weald Country Park
Dec 16, 2023
Enjoy this festive trail at the Essex Country Parks funded by the Year of Numbers.
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Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Chelmsford Library)
Jan 8, 2024
Welcome to Essex (2023) transforms a family of three Matryoshka dolls with the identities of the communities that call Essex home, celebrating the rich diversity of contemporary Britain and reflecting on the valuable contribution that immigration has made to British society.
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Welcome to Essex: A sculptural installation by Lata Upadhyaya (Harlow Library)
Feb 5, 2024
Welcome to Essex (2023) transforms a family of three Matryoshka dolls with the identities of the communities that call Essex home, celebrating the rich diversity of contemporary Britain and reflecting on the valuable contribution that immigration has made to British society.
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Family Forest School at Danbury Country Park
Mar 11, 2023
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.
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Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park
Sep 13, 2021
Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.
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Home education Forest School sessions at Danbury Country Park
Nov 1, 2021
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.
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Let's Keep Covid in Check
Aug 18, 2021
Explore Essex safely this summer. If you're visiting Great Notley, Hadleigh or Thorndon on these selected dates, visit a pop-up stand to collect your free self-test kits.
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Family Wild Wednesdays at Danbury Country Park
Aug 2, 2023
Free family fun in the great outdoors this summer
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The Deepening's Project walk at Cudmore Grove
Nov 25, 2022
Join the artists from the Deepening’s Project at Cudmore Grove Country Park.
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Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun
Dec 3, 2023
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
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Managing deer within Essex Country parks
The United Kingdom is home to six species of deer and the Essex Country Parks are no exception as the most common in the county are fallow, muntjac and roe deer. In fact, some of our sites began as medieval deer parks dating back to the 12th century.
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Weald Country Park Discovery Trail
Explore different corners of the park and imagine the landscape as it once was. Discover the work the park rangers are doing to conserve it for future generations.
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Hadleigh Country Park Room Hire
The meeting room at the Hub is bright and superbly located in the courtyard, close to many conveniences including a large car park. The room can be set up in a variety of styles to suit all requirements with the room measuring in at 8m x 8m catering for up to 50 people. Catering is available from the on-site café.
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Heritage Trail - Thorndon South
Welcome to the Heritage Trail at Thorndon Country Park South
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Name the Goats
Win an Explore Essex bundle of goodies including tickets to Sky Ropes
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Landscape Imaginary - Cudmore Grove Map
Take a self-guided walk at Cudmore Grove for a sensorial re-imagining of the landscape
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Make Your Garden Hedgehog Friendly
Essex Country Park Rangers Tom Heenan and Laura Howles bring you tips on how to attract wildlife to your garden
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Car parking
Essex Country Park car parking income is reinvested into the upkeep and development of the parks and protection of the wildlife within.
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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.
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Summer Challenge 2020
Visit 6 Country Parks over the summer holidays and complete 1 challenge at each park to be entered into a prize draw to win an Explore Essex goody bag! Will you take on the challenge?
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Infinity Forest Summer Garden Goody Bag Competition
To celebrate the opening of the Infinity Forest Art Installation at Danbury Country Park, we're launching a competition to win an Explore Essex Family Summer Garden Goody Bag - worth over £100!
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Park Trails
Heritage, walks and kid's play - discover our trails
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Dog Walking
The Essex Country Parks provide a wide variety of landscapes perfect for walking your furry friends. Take long riverside rambles or let your pets run free through the trees.
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Explore Essex and ACL Essex Park Art Competition
We partnered with our friends at ACL Essex to launch the Park Art competition at the start of spring. We received a superb selection of entries - from photographs to paintings - and it was wonderful to see you take inspiration from our country parks. Browse the gallery of entries from talented artists.
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Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions apply to all bookings made with Essex Country Parks, Essex County Council, County Hall, Market Road. Chelmsford, CM1 1QH for sessions on the Sky Ropes and Sky Ropes Junior high ropes courses at Great Notley Country Park.
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Explore Essex Infinity Forest competition
To celebrate the opening of the Infinity Forest Art Installation at Danbury Country Park, we launched an art competition to win an Explore Essex Family Summer Garden Goody Bag. We received some fantastic entries, from collages to paintings to tree tracing. Browse the gallery of entries from talented artists of all ages.
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Coastal, rivers and lakes
There’s sometimes nothing better than being by water, whether it’s the sea, river or lake. Each has its own magic. Explore coastal Cudmore Grove on Mersea Island, or picnic by the lakes at Danbury or Belhus Woods. Take a scenic riverside ramble at Marsh Farm Country Park by the river Crouch. Explore somewhere new and let the peace and beauty wash over you.
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Sky Ropes
Get your heart racing and explore high in the sky in a quest to conquer Sky Ropes at Great Notley Country Park. With high ropes adventure courses to suit the whole family from tiny tots of two years to big kids and adults, Sky Ropes offers great, safe family fun.
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Animal Mysteries Trail Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
Enter our prize draw to win a Colchester Zoo Animal Experience
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Schools
High-quality learning outside the classroom in inspirational spaces. We provide high-quality learning outside the classroom experiences in inspirational spaces that can help unlock children’s learning potential and bring out the best in them. Learning in Essex Country Parks is fun, active and covers a wider curriculum scope. Activities are also designed to promotion children’s personal and social development.
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Read and Count With Me Under a Tree T&CS
Enter our prize draw to win an Explorer Pass by completing the feedback form
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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.
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Wildlife and walks
Discover more about your local wildlife. Spot local and rare birds, deer and woodland animals. Every season offers something new. In the summer, wildflower meadows come alive with insects and butterflies. In the winter huge flocks of migratory geese, waders and wildfowl descend. Grab your binoculars, spotter’s guides and all the family and get out into the Country Parks to enjoy everything Essex has to offer.
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Forest Schools
Don’t let the children have all the fun, forest school and connecting to nature is for everyone, come and join us at our Family Forest School sessions. Leave the electronics at home and build relationships and skills whilst making memories with your friends and family.
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Get your free copy of the special Find Your Active Autumn edition of the Essex Explorer Magazine
Where you can pick up a copy of the magazine for free
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Thank you for subscribing to the Explore Essex newsletter
Thank you for signing up to our newsletter - you'll be the first to hear about our latest news, exciting events, competitions and exclusive offers. You'll also get the Essex Explorer magazine delivered straight to your inbox.
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Essex County Council Explore Essex Artist Commission 2022
Call out to artists for £10k commission
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Media & press
For any media or press enquiries please contact us directly.
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Gruffalo Day
Your class will experience the Deep Dark Wood that has made this story so popular with young children and adults alike.
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Explorer pass
Save money on car parking and more with our Explorer Pass
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Mills
Visit an Essex Mill and discover a piece of the county’s history
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Heritage places
A lot of Essex parks and places are steeped in history. From one of the largest Knight’s Templar sites to connections with Capability Brown, why not find out more about our county’s history with a visit. If you are interested in delving deep into the past, the Essex Record Office is the place to start your journey.
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Get active
Simply being outdoors and getting active improves both mental and physical health. From taking a walk across rolling grasslands to cycling and kids’ play trails we’ve got something for you in many different locations across the county. So come on and get out more.
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Stick Man Day
On this activity day, your class will go on a woodland adventure and bring to life the story of the Stick Man.
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Take our Explore Essex 2022 Challenge
22 tips to help you Explore Essex more in 2022
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Essex Explorer Magazine
Discover the Essex Explorer magazine, a seasonal magazine with fascinating features, spotlight articles, inspirational lifestyle ideas, competitions and all of the latest news from across our parks and places.
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Explore Essex Newsletter Prize Draw Terms and Conditions
Sign up to our newsletter during March 2023 to be entered into our Prize Draw
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Animal Mysteries Festive Trail Competition to win an Explorer Pass
Find the magic number and enter our prize draw to win an Explorer Pass worth £85
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Culture Essex
Culture Essex supports, promotes and advocates for the arts, cultural and creative sector in the county.
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Essex Explorer Magazine Competition Terms and Conditions
Win a Chelmsford Theatre voucher worth £100
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