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 8th July 2024
Summer Magic Trails
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.
Download the Summer Magic trail sheet, choose Unicorn or Dragon.
Running throughout the school summer holidays, from Saturday 20 July 2024 at:
- Belhus Woods Country Park
- Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Danbury Country Park
- Great Notley Country Park
- Thorndon Country Park
- Weald Country Park
- and Cressing Temple Barns
The Summer Magic trail is supported by Essex Year of Numbers.
![Summer Magic illustration of wizard, fairy and troll](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/masthead/_720xAUTO_crop_center-center_none/Social-Media-Square-no-logos-no-roundel.jpg)
![Wild Jaywick Exhibition](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/Wild-Jaywick-Exhibition.png)
Jaywick Martello Tower: Wild Jaywick
The Wild Jaywick exhibition celebrates the release of the Wild Jaywick booklet.
- Dates: August 8 - September 8, 2024
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
![01 01 98 766 Beeleigh Mill](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/01-01-98-766-Beeleigh-Mill.jpg)
Beeleigh Steam Mill: Heritage Open Days
Visit Beeleigh Steam Mill, one of the most attractive and fascinating in East Anglia.
- Dates:
- September 7, 2024
- September 8, 2024
- September 15, 2024
- Venue: Beeleigh Steam Mill
- Times: 11:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
![Two smiling girls in a hammock](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/masthead/_c480x240/Two-smiling-girls-in-a-hammock.jpg)
Family Forest School at Great Notley Country Park
Following the success of Spooky Forest School in 2023, we are pleased to confirm a brand NEW Family Forest School running once a month on Saturdays at Great Notley Country Park.
- Dates:
- September 7, 2024
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 11:00am - 2:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: £10
![Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0683](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/med-res_ECP-DanburySept22-0683.jpg)
Family Forest School at 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:
- September 7, 2024
- October 5, 2024
- November 9, 2024
- December 7, 2024
- 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.
![Sean foster ZLZ Bhr4 OVEY unsplash](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/masthead/_c480x240/sean-foster-ZLZBhr4OVEY-unsplash.jpg)
Great Notley Country Park Junior Parkrun
Join this free, weekly 2k run aimed specifically at juniors aged 4 to 14 years-old.
- Dates:
- September 8, 2024
- September 15, 2024
- September 22, 2024
- September 29, 2024
- October 6, 2024
- (continued …)
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- 4 to 14
- Price: Free
![Alderford water mill 20569267790 o](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/alderford-water-mill_20569267790_o_2022-09-05-125243_tcux.jpg)
Alderford Water Mill - Heritage Open Day
Alderford water mill is open on the second Sunday of each month from April through to October.
- Dates:
- September 8, 2024
- October 13, 2024
- Venue: Alderford Street
- Times: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
![Med res ECP Danbury Sept22 0431](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/masthead/_c480x240/med-res_ECP-DanburySept22-0431.jpg)
Woodland Play at Danbury Country Park
Join us for woodland play sessions, aimed at the under-5's. Activities include forest crafts and building dens.
- Dates:
- September 9, 2024
- November 4, 2024
- Venue: Danbury Country Park
- Times: 10:00am - 12:00pm
- For under 5s
- Price: Now booking: 9 September to 14 October– 6 sessions £51.00 and 4 November to 9 December – 6 sessions £51.00. Sibling discounts available. Call to enquire.
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
Great Notley Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Great Notley Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free to take part
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
Cudmore Grove Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
Weald Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Weald Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
Hadleigh Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
![Adult men and women running](https://ca1-exe.edcdn.com/_c480x240/shutterstock_502256053.jpg)
Marsh Farm Country Park Parkrun
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Marsh Farm Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free