Car parking

Essex Country Park car parking income is reinvested into the upkeep and development of the parks and protection of the wildlife within.

Going cashless

Due to the ongoing issue of theft and vandalism of the payment machines we have made the difficult decision to remove our few remaining cash machines.

From Tuesday 3 September 2024, visitors to the Essex Country Parks will only be able pay for their parking via card and contactless, mobile and app payment options.

You must also pay on arrival at all Essex Country Parks as you would in many town and city centres, and other parks and places.

Ways to pay

You can pay for your parking at the Essex Country Parks through MiPermit in the following ways:

  • Download the MiPermit app from all the usual app stores Use the onsite terminals (card and contactless only)
  • Visit the MiPermit website
  • Call MiPermit on: 0345 520 7007 and quote the name of the park(i.e. Great Notley) 702106
  • Text an SMS message to 61600 MiPermit with the word PARK and your vehicle registration number. For example: PARK T123ESTRead more on ways to pay and help at MiPermit. When using the app you can top up your payment to extend your visit.

Current costs

Current car parking prices at the Essex Country Parks as of Monday 1 April 2024:

  • Up to one hour: £2.80
  • Up to two hours: £4.00
  • Up to four hours: £5.20
  • All day: £6.30

You can also check the cost of parking at the Essex Country Park you’d like to visit, find the appropriate web page under places to go and read the ‘parking and prices’ section.

Costs are displayed at each of the parks on the tariff boards by each payment machine.

Car parking costs apply to all vehicles, including Blue Badge holders and tax-exempt vehicles. Coaches and minibuses of over 15 seats are charged £15 a day. Motorcycles park free.

MiPermit

MiPermit is a versatile, cashless service that means you can arrange your parking by telephone, SMS text message from your mobile, online or through smartphone apps - as well as the contactless terminals on site.

The app means that you can also extend your stay easily.

It is free to register your vehicle, and you can do this in advance of your visit.

MiPermit is a fully electronic system, meaning you do not need to display a paper ticket in your vehicle.

Many cities and boroughs also use the MiPermit system across the county. For two cars, register your first car and it will then give you the option to add another.

Please note that MiPermit has recently been introduced at Great Notley and Hadleigh Country Parks to bring them in line with the rest of the sites. This means that you now have to pay at the beginning of your visit instead of the end as you might be used to.

Explorer Pass (Season Ticket): Save on multiple visits

Discover the Explorer Pass from just over £1.63 a week, save on multiple visits, valid at all Essex Country Parks.

This annual pass will allow you to park for free at all eight of the Essex Country Parks and receive discounts in many cafés too, it is ideal for frequent visitors, meaning you can save on multiple trips.

Please note: From Thursday 1 August all Explorer Passes will be provided to customers in a digital format only.

Read more about the benefits of investing in an Explorer pass.

Why is there a car parking charge?

Over the years we've invested more than £1million in the Essex Country Parks for the benefit of our visitors, with improvements to footpaths and accessibility, facilities, signage and play equipment, and there are plans for further investment to come.

We need to make sure we continue to invest in our country parks for you and future generations to enjoy.

Parking Enquiries

For car parking enquiries, please email: parking.explore@essex.gov.uk