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 of over 102 acres of unique coastal landscapes and habitat and heritage features 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
A purpose-built outdoor activity and residential site, Danbury offers a wide variety of activities including activities such as aerial trekking, canoeing, climbing and mountain biking in the heart of Essex for families, schools and businesses.
- Well Lane, Danbury, CM3 4AB
Sky Ropes
Your family adventure starts here! Swing, swoop and soar on our specially designed 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
Discover more places
Featured events
25 ways to Explore Essex for 2025
From coastal strolls to learning something new, kickstart 2025 with our 25 things to do this New Year.
- Dates: January 1 - March 31, 2025
- Times: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- For the whole family
- Price: Various
Jaywick Martello Tower: Expressions of Trauma
Healthwatch Essex bring their new exhibition ‘Expressions of Trauma’ to Jaywick Martello Tower.
- Dates:
- January 18, 2025
- January 19, 2025
- January 25, 2025
- January 26, 2025
- Venue: Jaywick Martello Tower
- For the whole family
- Price: Free
The Lock Climbing Wall: Learn to Climb - One Day
This course is recommended for those who want to learn the basics of climbing and how to stay safe on a climbing wall. The course covers all of the basics you will need to be able to climb unsupervised in an indoor climbing wall.
- Dates:
- January 19, 2025
- February 2, 2025
- February 16, 2025
- Venue: Essex Outdoors Harlow
- Times: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- For adults
- Price: £75.00 course fee includes all tuition and kit hire plus wall membership (Approx. £20.00) to make climbing at The Lock even easier.
Parkrun: Great Notley Country Park
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
Parkrun: Cudmore Grove Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Cudmore Grove Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
Parkrun: Hadleigh Country Park
Free, weekly 5km timed runs.
- Dates: Every Saturday
- Venue: Hadleigh Country Park
- Times: 9:00am - 10:00am
- For adults
- Price: Free
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.