10 Free Things to do in Thurrock That You Shouldn't Miss

Hardie Park is a community led family park and open green space. Local residents took ownership after a period of neglect with the guidance of local resident Rob Groves in order to develop and enhance the area for the benefit of the local community. Friends of Hardie Park are a Registered Charity and Community Interest Company and a not-for-profit organisation. Over a period of years the site has developed enormously and is now run by our Board of Trustees (since Oct 2020) with a passionate team of staff and volunteers. The site is open 7 days a week and provides a cafe, toilets, play facility, skate park, a varied events programme and more recently a cycle hub providing low cost re-furbished bikes to the community. The cafe is also used as a base for many groups with clubs and act Hardie Park Registered charity number 1172078

Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is situated on the Thames Estuary and is fantastic for family days out, bird and ship watching, historical interest and getting away from the hustle and bustle. The views across the Thames Estuary are stunning, especially from our fully accessible rooftop viewing deck which offers 360 degree views of the nature park and Thames. The visitor centre has a café with full length windows for viewing the estuary, gift shop, toilets with baby changing and a bird hide with wheelchair access which overlook the SSSI mudflats a short walk away. We have a wonderful natural play and picnic area for families to enjoy. Dogs are welcome on leads and events are held throughout the year with free parking. The site which was once landfill and has been given back to nature is 120 acres at present and will eventually be 845 acres, it is a tremendous habitat for coastal and wetland wildlife, as well as very important grassland flora and fauna species. The Nature Park is important for many species including Barn Owls, Short Eared Owls, Water Voles, Harvest Mouse, Skylark, Cuckoo and Shrill Carder Bee. However, these are not the only beneficiaries, local Cattle also graze the grassland during the year. The area is an avian hotspot and throughout the year there are overwintering and migrant bird species residing at the park. There are internationally important numbers of Ringed Plover and Avocets and nationally important numbers of Grey Plover, Dunlin, Godwit and Redshank as well as a treasure trove of butterflies, moths and bees. Footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways access the Nature Park and we are on the Thames Estuary Path route which extends to 27 miles from Tilbury town through to Leigh on Sea.