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 and wear wellies!

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 hot and cold refreshments like sandwiches, ice cream, snacks and 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.

Gruffalo Trail

Discover the magic of the Deep Dark Wood with this self-led trail searching for the amazing hand-crafted carvings of Gruffalo characters.