This 500-acre park features a mix of woodland, grassland, and wetland habitats, with several walking trails, including the 1.5-mile Orchard Trail and the 2.5-mile Woodland Trail. The park is home to the Thorndon Hall, a 19th-century mansion, and the Thorndon Countryside Centre, which offers exhibitions and educational activities. Visitors can also explore the park's diverse wildlife, including birds, bats, and insects, and enjoy picnicking and relaxing in the scenic surroundings.
This park is truly beautiful. This country park contains a diverse range of habitats and is managed both for people and for its precious wildlife. 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. Thorndon Countryside Centre is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and the Park is managed by Essex County Council in a joint venture. Gruffalo Trail Come and see the original Gruffalo Trail - a self-led trail around the woods, searching for carvings of the Gruffalo characters. Gruffalo Activity Maps are available from the Countryside Centre, at a cost of 50p. The countryside centre offers some unique gifts and books, a separate education room, refreshments and displays. There are regular activities for children, schools and families. Few areas offer such variety as Thorndon country park and its surroundings. Ancient woodland and historic deer parks lie close alongside recently planted woodland and a landscape of small pastures, while nearby is the high forest of Hartswood and former common land. Thorndon Country Park is in two parts, the northern section on a gravel ridge and the southern part on clay soil lower down. The two parts are now linked by Old Thorndon Pastures, which is farmland that has been restored to a traditional farming landscape with small hedged fields, grazed by cattle. This is a must for nature enthusiast. Top park
Lovely place for a walk with or without the kids. Plenty of parking. Lovely views.
Get there early or all the good BBQ spots will be taken. Also, park warden comes around charging PS2 pp if large parties are spotted. PS5 for the car park is enough I would say without the additional fee.
Beautiful country park. Ideal for kids as there's a Gruffalo and Stickman trail. Perfect for going biking or even just for a pick nic. We are lucky to live just next door from it.
Lovely parkland that was once the site of Thorndon Hall. Great for walks, picnics (although BBQs are not allowed) and the like. Sadly the cafe wasn't open, and doesn't look like it has been for some time. The photo of the gated field is the former site of a church which Baron Petre had demolished because, allegedly, it spoilt the view from the house. If this is true then Karma came to visit. Smallpox all but wiped out the family, killing 80 people, and then not long after that the hall burnt down.
Lots of space, great place to go for a run, walk or cycle.. obviously plenty of commercial dog walkers in the morning. We were here Friday morning and the tea room was closed, that was pretty good last time we came. Parking is expensive. Appreciate that they need money to keep the park in decent shape, but 2.20 for an hour, that's a lot, and council tax in Brentwood is dear enough.
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Hiking
Picnic tables
Public toilet
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Dog park
Dogs allowed
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This park is truly beautiful. This country park contains a diverse range of habitats and is managed both for people and for its precious wildlife. 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. Thorndon Countryside Centre is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and the Park is managed by Essex County Council in a joint venture. Gruffalo Trail Come and see the original Gruffalo Trail - a self-led trail around the woods, searching for carvings of the Gruffalo characters. Gruffalo Activity Maps are available from the Countryside Centre, at a cost of 50p. The countryside centre offers some unique gifts and books, a separate education room, refreshments and displays. There are regular activities for children, schools and families. Few areas offer such variety as Thorndon country park and its surroundings. Ancient woodland and historic deer parks lie close alongside recently planted woodland and a landscape of small pastures, while nearby is the high forest of Hartswood and former common land. Thorndon Country Park is in two parts, the northern section on a gravel ridge and the southern part on clay soil lower down. The two parts are now linked by Old Thorndon Pastures, which is farmland that has been restored to a traditional farming landscape with small hedged fields, grazed by cattle. This is a must for nature enthusiast. Top park
Lovely place for a walk with or without the kids. Plenty of parking. Lovely views.
Get there early or all the good BBQ spots will be taken. Also, park warden comes around charging PS2 pp if large parties are spotted. PS5 for the car park is enough I would say without the additional fee.
Beautiful country park. Ideal for kids as there's a Gruffalo and Stickman trail. Perfect for going biking or even just for a pick nic. We are lucky to live just next door from it.
Lovely parkland that was once the site of Thorndon Hall. Great for walks, picnics (although BBQs are not allowed) and the like. Sadly the cafe wasn't open, and doesn't look like it has been for some time. The photo of the gated field is the former site of a church which Baron Petre had demolished because, allegedly, it spoilt the view from the house. If this is true then Karma came to visit. Smallpox all but wiped out the family, killing 80 people, and then not long after that the hall burnt down.
Lots of space, great place to go for a run, walk or cycle.. obviously plenty of commercial dog walkers in the morning. We were here Friday morning and the tea room was closed, that was pretty good last time we came. Parking is expensive. Appreciate that they need money to keep the park in decent shape, but 2.20 for an hour, that's a lot, and council tax in Brentwood is dear enough.
