What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4:30pm Saturday 8am - 4:30pm Sunday 8am - 4:30pm

Thorndon Country Park

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Thorndon Country Park

Discover the Gruffalo Trail, explore the tranquil woodlands, go fishing or birdwatching and let imaginations run wild.
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Perfect for dog walkers, families and nature lovers alike. More information, can be found here: https://hootbio.com/explore-essex

05/09/2026

Visitor Notice
From next week (7 to 11 September), we'll be carrying out important tree safety works at Thorndon North.

You may see large vehicles and equipment in the park and hear more noise than usual.

Please help us keep everyone safe by:
✅ Staying on paths
✅ Following signs
✅ Keeping dogs on leads

☕ The Essex Wildlife Trust café will also be partially closed on 7, 8 and 9 September. The shop will remain open and cold drinks will be available.

Thanks for your patience while we carry out these essential works.

01/09/2026

Happy September 🍁🍂🌤️
Change is in the air this month as children go back to school and college and we enter meteorological autumn.
Embrace the new season with us and enjoy everything the park has to offer.
Remember to check out our new car park closing times for the month (7.30pm) and plan your visit on the website:
https://www.explore-essex.com/thorndon-country-park

27/08/2026

☀️ Need some inspiration for the rest of the summer holidays?

From outdoor adventures and family-friendly trails to fun days out in the fresh air, our latest blog is packed with affordable ways to keep explorers entertained.

💚 Budget-friendly family fun
💚 Outdoor adventures across Essex
💚 Ideas for all ages

👉 Read the blog: https://www.explore-essex.com/blog/best-summer-essex

24/08/2026

📚🌳 Tomorrow: Storytime is coming to Thorndon Country Park!

Join Essex Library Service for FREE storytimes at Thorndon and Weald Country Parks on Tuesday 25 August.

🚐 The Essex Library Service Mobile Library will be at:
📍 Thorndon Country Park : 10.30am to 12.30pm
📍 Weald Country Park : 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Come and meet the team, enjoy some stories, and then explore the parks. Don't forget to take part in our Summer Magic and Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler-themed trails too!

Bring your library card to borrow some fantastic books to enjoy in the great outdoors. Not a library member yet? Why not sign up on the day?

21/08/2026

🐾 Could your dog be our August Park Pup Star? 🐾

We've loved seeing all your fabulous furry friends enjoying Essex Country Parks this summer, and now we're looking for our next canine champion! 🐶💚

Think your pooch has what it takes?

🏆 The winner will receive:
🎁 A £25 Pets Corner voucher
📅 A chance to feature in our end-of-year Park Pup Star calendar

How to enter: 👍 Like this post
📲 Share it with fellow dog lovers
📸 Post a photo in the comments of your dog enjoying one of the Essex Country Parks

Or email your entry to: 📧 [email protected]

We'd also love to hear your favourite park adventures and tail-wagging stories! 🐕

Entries are open now, so get snapping and show us your park-loving pups! 🐾

👉 Full details and T&Cs: https://www.explore-essex.com/essex-parks-pup-stars

📸 Some of our fantastic July entries. 🫶🏻

Dogs Trust Pets Corner

20/08/2026

🧚 Can you find all the magical trail markers? ✨

Grab your FREE trail sheet and set off on a summer adventure!

🔢 Count and solve puzzles along the trail
🌳 Explore our beautiful park
📸 Snap a photo at the selfie boards
😁 Enjoy plenty of play and fun along the way
📍 Running at 6 Essex Country Parks and Temple
🐝 Visit Hadleigh Park for Bugs and Butterflies Summer Trail

Our summer trails are a fantastic day out for little explorers, but you'll need to be quick...

⏳ The trails disappear on 31 August!

Find out more and download your trail sheet here: https://www.explore-essex.com/blog/summer-magic

Tag someone who needs a magical family day out this summer 👇

14/08/2026

🗑️ 🌿 Help us keep our parks beautiful for everyone to enjoy 🌿🗑️

If you find that our bins are full during your visit, please take your rubbish home with you.

Litter doesn't just spoil the view. Plastic waste can harm wildlife, while discarded food can attract animals and encourage them to eat things that may be harmful to their health.

By taking a little extra care, we can all help protect the wildlife and natural spaces we love. 💚

A big thank you to our two work experience volunteers who have been helping to clean up Weald Country Park this week.
And our brilliant park Rangers of course!
Their hard work is making a real difference and helping to keep the park looking its best for everyone to enjoy. 👏🌿

13/08/2026

📚🌳 Storytime is coming to the parks!

Join Essex Library Service for FREE storytimes at Thorndon and Weald Country Parks on Tuesday 25 August.

🚐 The Essex Library Service Mobile Library will be at:
📍 Thorndon Country Park : 10.30am to 12.30pm
📍 Weald Country Park : 1.30pm to 3.30pm

Come and meet the team, enjoy some stories, and then explore the parks. Don't forget to take part in our Summer Magic and Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler-themed trails too!

Bring your library card to borrow some fantastic books to enjoy in the great outdoors. Not a library member yet? Why not sign up on the day?

12/08/2026

Who's looking forward to the eclipse tonight? 🌒✨

If you're planning to watch it, please make sure you do so safely by following the guidance in the link below 👇

And don't forget to leave the park before closing time at 9pm. 😃

11/08/2026

Visitor Notice

Please be aware that there may be slightly more traffic than usual due to a temporary three-way traffic light system outside the Lion Lodge gates.

The road remains open. We look forward to welcoming you and recommend allowing a little extra time for your journey if possible.

Address

Thorndon Country Park, The Avenue
Brentwood
CM133RZ

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm
Saturday	8am - 4:30pm
Sunday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

01277 211250

Website

https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/thorndon-country-park

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