Out & about

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

Hylands Estate is proud to have approximately 574 acres of restored historic parkland open to the public free of charge, including ancient woodlands, grassland, ponds, lakes and formal gardens.

Hylands Estate is home to an award-winning accessible castle-themed adventure playground. The playground boasts four-meter-high castle battlements with portcullis and a cool drawbridge entrance... Read more

Opening times
Langdon Nature Discovery Centre is open 7 days a week.

Winter opening hours: 10am - 4pm, 1 November - 10 February.

Summer opening hours: 10am - 5pm, 11 February - 31 October.

Facilities

Visitor centre
Toilets
Shop
Cafe/refreshments
Accessible toilet
Baby changing facilities
Wifi... Read more

Located on the sloping bank of the river Blackwater, Maldon's Promenade Park has been a popular leisure location for over a hundred years.

Splash park, play area, large sand pit, skateboard park, adventure golf, BMQ tracks, model boating lake, crabbing lake and more!


Promenade Park is managed by the Maldon District Council

PARK OPENING TIMES
7.30am... Read more

The biggest high ropes course in Essex has 3 levels, 6 different courses, over 70 aerial obstacles with 40 meter zipwire finish. They use the highest level safety system & their staff are experienced, friendly & supportive. New facilities include large registration cabin (toilets, hand washing, indoor & balcony spectator viewing, harness room), induction zone, picnic & snack zone plus lots of new improvements... Read more

Discover our 20 acre woodland obstacle activity centre. Whether you are looking for a fun, obstacle activity day, school holidays activities, party venue or something to do with the kids, we have it all covered. Open all year around 6+ years.

The Rayleigh Windmill will be open to visitors for the 2024 season from Saturday 30th March – Sunday 27th October 2024:

Wednesday 10:00am - 1:00pm
Saturday 1:00 - 4:00pm
Sunday 1:00 - 4:00pm
Entry is free of charge, a minimum £1 donation per person is encouraged.

Please note, parking in the Mill Hall Car Park is FREE on Saturdays from 1pm and on... Read more

RHS Garden Hyde Hall is open. In order to effectively manage social distancing measures, we're asking all visitors to the garden to pre-book a time slot in advance of their visit.

In line with current Government guidelines, enclosed areas of the garden, including the glasshouse in the Global Growth Vegetable Garden and Bird Hide, remain closed. Play areas are open. Indoor catering venues... Read more

UPDATE: Due to the current pandemic we have had to put a number of restrictions in place for the PYO, which we hope you will understand and support. Other than our farm shop, and a limited takeaway offering, the rest of the farm (including our toilet facilities) remain closed in line with government guidance. In order to enter the PYO, you will need to buy a fruit voucher in advance which has a timed entry slot to enable us to control numbers on site. This will cost £4 per person and the £4 value can be redeemed at the till against the fruit that you have picked. If you do not pick enough fruit to meet the whole value of the £4 voucher, no refunds will be given. Example basket prices will be shown on entrance. There will be no vouchers available to purchase on the door so if you do not have a voucher, please do not travel to the farm for PYO. This fruit voucher charge is non-refundable so please bear this mind before purchasing should you miss your slot or are unable to visit for any reason. We are looking forward, as much as you, to the carefree days of fruit picking, but for now our priority is keeping everyone safe. At the moment our PYO cannot operate as the usual fun family day out but it can still enable you to have access to the freshest fruit available. We hope to be able to relax these restrictions as soon as guidance allows.