Out & about

A landscape of woods, meadows, ponds and paths. There is a play area for children, Visitors Centre and an onsite café. The site is an ideal spot for cycling. Car parking is £2 for all day.

The Gruffalo Trail is a firm favourite. Paths are buggy friendly and the trail is a pleasant walk through the woodland where all the characters can be found. No booking required. Maps are available at the visitors centre if needed.

Explore over 500 acres of diverse habitats, beautiful colourful woodlands, and the famous Gruffalo trail at Thorndon Country Park.

8am-dusk
The park is open every day.

Gruffalo Trail
Café
Shop
Bike hire
Mountain Bike Trails
Lake
Dogs allowed
Picnics allowed
BBQs not allowed
*Thorndon Countryside Centre... Read more

Each location is unique, with its own identity. We ensure this is reflected in the houses people visit, by designing and decorating it differently - mixing the old with the new. This allows friends and families to have a fun, enjoyable experience as part of their day out.

Visitors capture many memorable and surreal photos and videos they flip upside down which they share on their socials... Read more

RSPB Wallasea Island is a magical landscape of marshland, lagoons, ditches and sea. Walk along the seawalls to see the saltmarsh, mudflats and lagoons, where terns dive into the water in summer and huge flocks of waders and wildfowl arrive in winter. There are a number of nature trails to enjoy. Please refer to the below for the dog friendly trails.

Nature trails

Allfleets... Read more

125 acres of country walks, wildlife spotting, adventure play for kids... and some of the best business and event venues in Essex. Just off the A13 near Basildon, Essex and just 40 minutes by train from the heart of London.

We are now Autumn/Winter Main Gates 9am to 7pm
Visitor Centre daily 10am-4pm

Wat Tyler Café
Basildon Heritage
Essex Field Club... Read more

At Weald Country Park, you can enjoy over 520 acres of woodland, lakes, hay and wildflower meadows, deer park, kid's play, open grassland and spectacular views.

The park is well-loved for its wildlife and deer park. Wildlife includes fallow deer, cattle, herons, mallard ducks and other water birds. There is also have a group of peacocks who come to visit most days.

8am-dusk... Read more

Wheatley Wood occupies the site of old agricultural fields, it has now been planted with semi-natural trees and scrub and incorporates open areas. The site is a haven for wildlife with reptiles, amphibians small mammals, birds, and insects all thriving here. The area provides an excellent nature spotting adventure and is a beautiful place to walk your four legged friends.

Facilities:... Read more

Pop up PYO flower field in the heart of the Essex countryside, run by the Metson family as part of our working farm for almost 20 years

We sell the freshest sunflowers and other mixed flowers directly to the public from our field just outside of Chelmsford, and hire the field and other areas of the farm to photographers looking for a unique backdrop.

How it works:
Entry... Read more