Out & about

Visit the Audley End Miniature Railway and be transported on a magical journey of exploration through our enchanted woodland setting. A memorable experience in the great outdoors for the whole family! You'll enjoy miniature train rides, meet fairies and elves, discover our nature corner and let off steam in the adventure playground, letting your child's imagination run wild. Not forgetting our seasonal... Read more

Betts Wood is a 10 acre, near level, ancient semi natural woodland of Oak, coppiced Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Holly and Silver Birch. A section of woodland was last coppiced 5 years ago. This woodland is home to many animals, birds, and insects and is filled with bluebells in the spring time. It is a local wildlife site and is important for biodiversity.

The woodland has free access all year... Read more

Brentwood Park offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing all year round. We are open 7 days a week with our hours varying during the school holidays.

Tubing is available from 6years and upwards. You can book for 1 person, or up to the maximum of 15. Each session is 45 minutes long and is £18 per person. With the capacity capped at 15 you will need to call in advance to book and... Read more

We have a fun-packed summer planned at the farm this year so please take a moment to visit our Events page to see what's coming up.

We're also not far away from the PYO season now (early June), and as the FRA's current 'PYO of the Year', we are super excited to get underway for the 2023 season. Please look out for updates on our fruit availability on here and on our social media channels.... Read more

Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park is situated in the rolling countryside of the Roach Valley at the south of the District, the 200 acre beautiful wildlife park continues to mature, providing unique recreational facilities for residents and visitors to the area.

The woodland, lake, open grassland and network of connecting paths and bridleways also provide habitat for a huge range of... Read more

Vouchers much be pre booked before you visit the farm. Check the website for voucher availability and for a list of fruit available. You can buy re-usable containers at the farm or you can bring your own
*Strawberries *Raspberries *Blackcurrants *Redcurrants *Plums

The romantic ruins of a royal castle overlooking the Essex marshes, set within Hadleigh Country Park. Hadleigh Castle was begun in about 1215 by Hubert de Burgh, but extensively refortified by Edward III during the Hundred Years War, becoming a favourite residence of the ageing king.

The barbican and two striking drum towers, one later used by Georgian revenue men looking out for smugglers,... Read more

You can spend as little or as long as you like in Hainault Forest Country Park. It covers more than 300 acres, with a fishing lake, FREE Foxburrows Farm, guided walks, bridleways and a Nature Trail. There are plenty of open field areas for picnics, games or dog walking, and you can hire a boat to go out on the lake. Facilities for children are excellent, with a farm and several large play areas to... Read more

The centre is set in mature woodland and offers superb views over the 870 acre Hanningfield Reservoir. It is an ideal place to view the wildlife within the nature reserve and to receive the latest sightings news. There are some really good nature trails on the reserve for all to enjoy. as well as The Wind in the Willows trail. There are lots of gifts in the centre shop and a full range of binoculars... Read more

Covering over 130 hectares, Hockley Woods are the largest remaining area of the wild wood, which covered Essex after the Ice Age 10,000 years ago.
Ancient woodlands with well established trails are the highlight here, with a great, recently improved playground right next to the car park. The car park is FREE at weekends and very cheap in the week, there are also toilets in the car park and often... Read more