10 Top Picnic Spots in Essex
If you go down to the woods today…..
With the welcome of the warmer and dryer days, why not start planning those days out with a family picnic. Here we have gathered some places for you to visit for a day full of fun, exercise and food. Don’t forget the teddy bear! Also, check out the printable scavage hunt sheet on page which you can take with you. Don’t firget to share your finding with us at facebook/kidaroundmagazine
Thorndon Country Park
With lots for all the family to enjoy and of course the Grufalo trail. This park is a great place to sit and enjoy a lovely family picnic There are some fantastic walks through ancient woodland and historic deer parks which lie close alongside recently planted woodland and a landscape of small pastures.
Weald Country Park, Brentwood
At this large park, you can see and feed the beautiful fallow deer. With wonderful lakes and scenic landscape, it’s the perfect place for a lovely picnic. There’s also a play area for kids to play in.
Belhus Woods Country Park.
For a picnic by the lake, head to Belhus Woods. Have your model boats at the ready as you surround yourself in greenery and pick a seat with a view across the water for the Sunday boat show. It’s a big place with fields, woodlands, good paths to walk along, lots of lakes with a variety of water fowl. A great place for all the family.
Cudmore Grove, Mersea Island
A Nature Reserve on Mersea Island on the coast where the Colne Estuary meets the Blackwater Estuary, you’ll find impressive views across the park and estuaries, sandy beaches and salt marsh, rolling grasslands and meadows buzzing with wildlife. There is something for everyone whatever the season at Cudmore, from coastal wal
ks and beach to a themed kid’s play area. It’s the perfect place to paddle and picnic, birdwatch, beachcomb and let imaginations run wild with friends and family. Information taken from www.explore-essex.com
Dedham Vale, Colchester
Set by the River Stour, Dedham is in the heart of Constable Country. It was here that Britain’s greatest landscape artist John Constable went to school. The attractive high street is lined with Georgian-fronted houses, old inns and a large art and crafts centre. The magnificent 15th C. Church was built from the wealth of the medieval cloth industry. Dedham is frequently rated as containing some of England’s most beautiful Lowland landscapes, particularly the Water Meadows of the River Stour, which passes along the northern boundary of the village forming the boundary between the counties of Essex and Suffolk. You can hire a row boat and take in the scenes as you row along the river.
The Naze, Walton-on-the Naze
Sit and take in the scenic views of the sea from the cliff top by the Naze and watch the ships drift by. (don’t forget a warmer layer as it can get a little breezy there). Once you have finished your picnic, there’s lots to do such as; play on the beach, go to the arcade, take a walk from walton to Frinton along the sea front – 3 mile walk. There’s also parks to choose from, click here for more information.
Hidden Essex:
Wallasea Island Nature Reserve, Rochford
Surrounded by the River Crouch and River Roach, Wallasea Island has stunning 360-degree views of open water. The landscape is made up of marshland, lagoons and the sea, which are best viewed from the sea walls. Whilst you sit and devour your picnic at one of the benched viewpoints that are sign posted all around the Reserve, make sure you keep your eyes open for the flocks of waders and wildfowl.
Papermill Lock, Little Baddow
Paper Mill Lock near chelmsford
Paper Mill Lock is the heart of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation which is a 14 mile stretch of river that connects to Heybridge Basin, with a wonderful scenery of the locks, colourful barges and countryside. There’s also some fun activities to enjoy – an one hour boat trip, hire a paddle board or canoe or take a nice long walk.
Osea Island
Surrounded by the Blackwater Estuary this secret Island is a perfect location for young children to explore. You can spend the day searching for treasures, go crabbing and just have fun building sand castles. With an abundance of wildlife, including some wonderful insects and butterflies. Why not take a tick sheet to see what you can spot.
Two Tree Island Nature Reserve, Leigh-on-Sea
The land was reclaimed from the sea in the 18th century when a seawall was built around the saltmarsh and originally used for farming. Now managed as a nature reserve and just a stone through away from Leigh-on-Sea, it is a firm favourite walking destination and a fantastic site for birdwatching. Approx. 6km of trails which are a mixture of gravel and grass paths. Please keep to the marked tracks to avoid disturbing nesting birds. You can see cows grazing from June – November. It also has a dedicated picnic area.
Click the activity sheet below to view a download and print copy
