With today's fast-track pace of life, there are times when we all need to relax and recharge by spending some time in the countryside.

Contrary to popular belief, Essex is not an urban county; in fact, 73% of the county is rural, meaning there's plenty of opportunities to escape and recharge.

Country parks and open spaces can be found all over Essex, offering a range of activities from the simple pleasures of kite-flying and summer picnics to sports grounds, children's attractions and working farms. Paths and bridleways ensure there's plenty of scope to blow away the cobwebs with a bracing walk or cycle ride, while the more energetic can tackle a long-distance footpath like the Flitch Way, with views across undulating farmland to distant church spires.

 

Many country parks and nature reserves are located along the Essex coast, which stretches for over 300 miles in a string of shimmering mudflats, saltmarsh and lonely creeks, where the tide creeps in like silk. Once the haunt of smugglers, today these valuable habitats are home to thousands of seabirds, including many winter visitors.

Inland, habitats change to open grassland and heathland, rich in butterflies. Large tracts of ancient woodland, some over 250 years old, are also protected from development. Best-known are Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest, which cover more than 7,000 acres. But there are many others which merit a visit, and which are particularly magical in spring when bluebells carpet the woodland floor and sweet songbirds harbinger the promise of summer to follow. Recharge guaranteed.

Essex has no less than 14 country parks 7 of which are managed by Essex County Council for the people of Essex.

Listed below are the main country parks listed alphabetically. A number of the parks produce their own leaflet. So do look out for a link to the download. Aternatively ask for our gardens and parks guide by either calling 0845 6007373 or request it through our brochure request page.

Belhus Woods Country Park - leaflet download
Romford Road, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4XJ, Tel: 01708 865628
Once a historic estate and parkland Belhus Woods country park now has a diverse landscape of woodlands, grasslands and lakes. You can fish, play games, fly kites, have a picnic, cycle or ride your horse here. You may prefer just to sit by the tranquil waters, feeding the birds or, in spring to wander quietly through a woodland carpet of bluebells. With easy access from the M25 this is an ideal spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of London.

Cudmore Grove Country Park - leaflet download
Bromans Lane, East Mersea, Essex, CO5 8UE, Tel: 01206 383868. Green Flag Award holder 2007/08. You can find Cudmore Grove at the eastern end of Mersea Island, with fine views across the Colne and Blackwater estuaries. Come and walk the sea wall, explore the shore and watch for wildlife. Behind the sandy beach is an area of cliff top and grassland providing a tranquil open landscape for picnics, flying kites and other outdoor activities. 

Danbury Country Park
Danbury Country Park is located on Woodhill Road. 4 miles east of Chelmsford via the A414 and Sandon Road.Tel: 01245 222350
Danbury country park has been created from the lakeside ornamental gardens of Danbury Palace together with adjoining woodland and grassland, to create over 41 acres for you to enjoy. Walk through woodlands, picnic, fly a kite or wander through the ornamental gardens with the spectacular rhododendron displays. Discover the ice house, or sit in one of the quiet corners and watch and listen for the wide variety of woodland and garden birds. Day permits are available for fishing on the lakes: Adult £5.00, Concessions £2.50.

Great Notley Country Park and Flitch Way - leaflet download
Braintree CM77 6FS Tel: 01376 347134
Great Notley Country Park and the Flitch Way covers an area of 100 acres with views across open farmland to the west, and a link to over 15 miles of walking and cycling paths along the Flitch Way. The site offers many facilities including a sensory trail, endless play equipment, cycle hire centre, fishing, visitor centre and bistro, sports and educational facilities, plus an extensive events programme. The site is open daily from dawn to dusk.

One of the best ways to explore Great Notley Country Park and the nearby Flitch Way is by bike and the park's Cycle Centre offers you the chance to hire bikes, tandems, trailers, child seats and tagalongs. Whether you just want a short ride around the park or are planning a full day's expedition along the family friendly Flitch Way, we have all you need. There is even the facility to buy a range of new and used bikes, parts and accessories and, if you already have a bike in need of some TLC, then we also offer servicing and repairs. Opening times vary by season and weather conditions so please call the Park for more details. Pre-booking is recommended at weekends and during school holidays.

In addition to public rentals we often arrange regular group rides, including our popular health ride programmes aimed at building up your fitness over a 12-week period. For details of these and to enquire about rides for your own group, please call us on 01376 348275.

Drakes Bistro:
Whether you fancy a lite-bite or a two course lunch, it will be a great place to relax and enjoy yourself. Drakes offers a choice of healthy, freshly prepared foods, using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. The bistro is open every day except for Christmas Day and is available for private hire.

The Flitch Way passes through 15 miles of countryside along the former Bishops Stortford to Braintree railway in the heart of rural Essex. Your journey on foot, bicycle or horseback will take you through wildlife-rich railway cuttings, past Victorian Stations, over embankments with views across impressive farmlands, nearby villages and woodland.

Hadleigh Country Park - leaflet download
Off Chapel Lane, Hadleigh, Benfleet, SS7 2PP Tel: 01702 551072
The park gets its name from the nearby Hadleigh Castle: an impressive ruin of a fortress built over 700 years ago. There is always plenty to do at Hadleigh. Where else in Essex can you see Kent, Canvey, Southend Pier, Canary Wharf and the Dartford Bridge all from the same place? It's a great place to walk, picnic, fly a kite or discover wildlife. You can explore the park by following one of the self guided trails from Chapel Lane. You may see kestrels high above, flocks of geese feeding on the marsh or butterflies basking on the sunny south facing slopes. Why not take a bracing walk along the sea wall between Leigh and Benfleet and return by train?

Hainault Forest Country Park
This country park is one of the remaining sections of the former Forest of Essex in England. Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest are other examples. Hainault Forest is well used by people of all interests, which was Buxton's original concept and his insight has led it to become a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status.

High Woods Country Park
This country parks spans over 121 hectares (300 acres) of grassland, woodland and wetland. Just a few minutes from Colchester's bustling town centre discover this award winning country park. With its woods, wildflowers, lake and ponds it's a real breath of fresh air. A great place to picnic, walk and cycle, fish, feel close to nature or simply unwind and relax.

Langdon Hills Country Park
One Tree Hill, Stanford-Le-Hope SS17 9NH Tel: 01268 542066
The park adjoins the Essex Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. Dating back to Saxon times Langdon simply means ‘Long Hill'. The park sits on a 385 ft high crescent-shaped hilly ridge which extends from Dunton to Vange giving panoramic views over the Thames estuary and across to London. There are ancient woodlands dating back to prehistoric times where, in spring, you can wander through carpets of bluebells and flower rich meadows; the spectacular colours attract clouds of butterflies. There are over 50 species of breeding birds and 28 species of butterflies that you can watch out for.

Lee Valley Regional Park
Stretching for 26 miles along the River Lee from Hertfordshire through Essex to the River Thames, the Lee Valley Regional Park is a great destination for lovers of wildlife, sport, heritage and wide open spaces.

Marsh Farm Country Park
Marsh Farm is a working visitor farm and country park adjoining the River Crouch. The farm is a firm favourite with children who love getting up close to the chickens, pigs, sheep and cows along the farm trail and meeting the ponies, goats, barn owls and other familiar friends in the pet barn.

Thorndon Country Park - leaflet download
The Avenue, Brentwood CM13 3RZ Tel: 01277 211250
Walk in precious woods, historic parkland and timeless commons. Experience atmospheric places charged with a sense of history and filled with the scent of wildflowers and the call of birds. Whether on foot, bicycle or horseback you can enjoy the peace and wildlife of the Brentwood countryside.

The TrailNet cycle centre offers you the chance to hire bikes, tandems, trailers, child seats and tagalongs for exploring Thorndon Country Park. There are also facilities to buy a range of new and used bikes, parts and accessories and they offer servicing and repairs. Opening times vary by season and weather conditions so please call 01277 811012 for more details.

Wat Tyler Country Park
Located within sight and sound of the coast, Wat Tyler Country Park is a happy combination of family attractions and wide open spaces. Youngsters will enjoy the state-of-the art adventure play area, together with Go Bonkers with its range of giant inflatables to climb and bounce on (separate charge applicable). There's also the new-look miniature railway and the nationally important collection in the Motor Boat Museum, as well as a model boating lake beside the museum for radio control enthusiasts.

Weald Country Park
South Weald, Brentwood CM14 5QS Tel: 01277 261343
The park landscape at Weald has been sculptured over time, from deer park to formal gardens and lakes. The park was once a deer park used for hunting and fallow deer have been reintroduced. They are no longer able to roam free, but can be visited in their enclosure by the Visitor Centre. They look their best in the autumn as the males display their fine antlers as they enter the rut. Today the woods and park are enjoyed by all. Bluebells carpet the floor of the woodlands in spring, and the rhododendrons add fiery splendour in May. With the birds around the lake bright in their spring plumage, it is a great time of year to visit the bird hide on the large lake. The rangers also host a variety of activities throughout the year.