Thorndon Country Park
  • Thorndon Country Park
  • Two boys meet the Gruffalo's Child
  • Trail through Thorndon Country Park
  • Thorndon Country Park
  • Open parkland at Thorndon South
  • Two boys discovering wildlife at Thorndon Country Park
  • Thorndon Country Park
  • The shop at Thorndon North

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About

Thorndon North - Thorndon has 500 acres of beautiful woods and parkland with meadows and ponds. We have marked trails, horse/cycle routes and orienteering courses. Cycle hire is also available on site. It's an ideal place for family visits as well as spotting wildlife. The Childerditch area is particularly good for birds and butterflies, whilst Mill Wood has fine displays of spring flowers.

Discover the magic of the Deep Dark Wood with the self-led Gruffalo trail, searching for the amazing hand-crafted characters along the way. The Gruffalo Trail takes about 45 minutes. Get your map from the Countryside Centre in Thorndon North for 50p. Please keep dogs on a lead.

The Countryside Centre is jointly owned and managed by Essex Wildlife Trust. The shop sells cards, gifts, jams, wildlife books, pocket-money toys and Gruffalo-themed merchandise. The tearoom serves snacks and hot and cold drinks.

Thorndon South - The open parkland at Thorndon South is busy with families enjoying picnics. Take in views across countryside as far as Canary Wharf or fly a kite on one of its many hills.

Our obstacle course for dogs involves jumps, ramps, tunnels, hoops and more - all with instructions. It's a fun way to embed their training. You'll find the dog activity trail along the edge and bottom of the picnic field.

You can fish at Old Hall Pond with a day ticket, available from the Rangers that patrol the lakes, from 8am all year round. Day tickets are £6 per rod or £3 concession - proof of eligibility required. You must have an Environment Agency rod licence and no more than two rods. Fishing rules are on the noticeboard by the lake.

Open daily from 8.00am-dusk.

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Guide Prices

Free entry
Parking charges apply
Up to 1 hour £2.50
Up to 2 hours £3.80
Up to 4 hours £5.10
All day £6.30

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access

Catering

  • Picnic site

Property Facilities

  • Dogs Accepted

Target Markets

  • Coach parties accepted

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Thorndon Country Park is easily accessible from the A12 or A127 and is situated along the A1023. Disabled parking is available on site. Customers are encouraged to pay online for car parking using MiPermit. Further information can be found here: https://secure.mipermit.com/essexcountryparks/Application/home.aspx

Public Transport Directions

The nearest railway station is Brentwood, which is one mile away.

Thorndon Country Park

Type:Country Park

The Avenue, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3RZ

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 434 reviews434 reviews
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Tel+44 (0)1277 211250

Awards

  • Other AwardsGreen Flag Award Green Flag Award 2020

Opening Times

* Open every day from 8am until dusk.
Please check the entrance gate for exact closing times when you visit the park.

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