What to do and see in Essex, England: The Best Playgrounds

May 22, 2022 Mollie Coke

Discover the best top things to do in Essex, United Kingdom including Hardie Park, Great Notley Country Park, Promenade Park, Partyman World Of Play, Partyman World Of Play, Farmer Fred's Play Barn, Mace Playce, Let's Go Bonkers, Stay and Splash, Go Bananas.
Restaurants in Essex

1. Hardie Park

Hardie Road Behind St. Joseph's Primary School, Stanford-Le-Hope, Thurrock SS17 0PB England +44 7935 868835 [email protected] http://www.friendsofhardiepark.co.uk
Excellent
88%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 48 reviews

Hardie Park

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

Reviewed By Rain055 - London, United Kingdom

Brilliant place, friendly staff, wonderful cafe and plenty to keep the children happy and amused with lots of different play areas ie:- swings, zip line, bike ramps and massive slide ????

2. Great Notley Country Park

Great Notley, Braintree CM77 7FS England +44 333 013 2900 [email protected] http://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/great-notley-country-park
Excellent
50%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 482 reviews

Great Notley Country Park

Whether you're an adventurer at heart or just want to relax and unwind in Essex's beautiful countryside, Great Notley Country Park offers the perfect day out for all the family. Covering 100 acres of open space the park is home to Sky Ropes, the fun, family friendly high ropes adventure course as well as Essex’s longest kid’s play trail. Jump, swing, slide, crawl and climb your way around 1.2km of fun including giant see-saws, swing scales, a climbing forest, rope climbers, slides, forts and a large sand play area. (Please note our waterplay and climbing forest are currently out of action). Looking for something a bit quieter? The park also offers some lovely areas to explore and enjoy nature including a fishing lake and wildflower meadows. It’s popular for a wide range of activities including birdwatching, walking, cycling, fishing, horse riding, football, picnics and kite-flying. The park is also a great place to base yourselves to head off and explore the Flitch Way.

Reviewed By 224sarahj - Manchester, United Kingdom

Fantastic visit to Great Notley Country Park. A lovely walk suitable for all ages and abilities with lots of activities to keep busy children occupied, little ones will love the sandpit and the older ones the variety of swings and other natural play equipment.

3. Promenade Park

Park Dr, Maldon CM9 5JQ England +44 1621 854477 http://www.visitmaldondistrict.co.uk/thedms.aspx?dms=3&venue=0241208&hasimage=L&feature=1
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 874 reviews

Promenade Park

Reviewed By 670debbien

Just got back after a day at Promanade Park with the grandchildren (age 5 and 18 months) Loads to do - playgrounds, a small zip wire, crazy golf, large sand area etc also a huge amount of refreshment places open. But the best part of the day by far was the petting zoo. Admission was very cheap. £14 for all of us and for that you not only got the animals to look at with very knowledgable staff but we also got to pet and hold a tarantula, boa, lizard and a skunk. The lad who did the sessions with those animals was amazing. We all loved it.

4. Partyman World Of Play

Unit 14 Repton Close Burnt Mills, Basildon SS13 1LJ England +44 1268 208660 [email protected] http://www.partymanworld.co.uk/basildon/
Excellent
68%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
5%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 363 reviews

Partyman World Of Play

Imagine a place with multi-level play structures, ball ponds, air cannons, a jelly mountain, football pitches, comfy seating for mums and dads to relax, an ever changing menu with freshly prepared food, a fully licensed bar and most of all… Fun!

Reviewed By Bashosp

I just want to say a huge thank you to Kurt , Chloe and Cydnee who were the party hosts for this evenings charity event. Nothing was too much trouble for them from setting up a room for Father Christmas to calling the raffle and playing with the children whose ages ranges from 2-15years old. They were not only helpful but enthusiastic and energetic! Fantastic feedback from all who attended . See you again soon

5. Partyman World Of Play

Unit 9 The Broadwalk West Thurrock, Grays Thurrock, Thurrock RM20 2ZP England +44 1708 890033 [email protected] http://www.partymanworld.co.uk/lakeside/
Excellent
72%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 287 reviews

Partyman World Of Play

Imagine a place with multi-level play structures, ball ponds, make a bear, comfy seating for mums and dads to relax, an ever changing menu with freshly prepared food… Fun!If you’re looking for a great day out or the perfect location for your little one’s birthday party then look no further.

Reviewed By Kel989

We held a 5th birthday Party for our little girl here and it was a fantastic day. Our party was hosted by Sonia and Yasmin who were brilliant ,they had prepared our Party room/eating area before we had arrived and greeted us on arrival making sure our guests found where we was seated.The kids were fully entertained in one way or another whether they was working there round the play area or having fun dancing with Cosmo the dragon and staff. Big thanks to Yasmin and Sonia as they made our day very enjoyable and full of fun for the kids.Needless to say we would definitely use ‘Partyman’ again.????

6. Farmer Fred's Play Barn

Unit C5 30 Brunel Road Manor Trading Estate Manor Trading Estate, Benfleet SS7 4PS England +44 1268 569063 [email protected] http://www.farmerfredsplaybarn.co.uk
Excellent
74%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Soft play centre just for children 0-5 years old. Great for parties and a brilliant WOW toys zone.

Reviewed By MissMayo08 - Billericay, United Kingdom

Went on a Saturday afternoon with my 4 month old daughter and my friend with her 1 year old daughter. Unlike other soft play areas, you don't have to pay a fortune to enter. I paid £1 because of the age of my daughter. My friend paid slightly more because her daughter is older, but not much more. There is a seating area by the cafe part and sofas along one wall so parents have somewhere comfy to sit while their children play. It's a really good size as you can nearly always see your child when they are playing. Lots of toys to play with! For my baby there was a few things she could sit in which was nice. Didn't have any hot food or drinks, but what we did have (apple juice, crisps and raisins) was reasonably priced - unlike other venues that charge you the earth! Staff were really friendly and we will definitely be returning. Parking was opposite and free. It is right at the back of an industrial estate but I used the app Waze to find it and it took me there no problem.

7. Mace Playce

Unit 3 Cuton Hall Lane Unit 3, Springfield Trading Estate, Chelmsford CM2 6PB England +44 1245 464316 http://www.softplaycentrechelmsford.co.uk/
Excellent
62%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 94 reviews

Mace Playce

Reviewed By melaniek9

We chose this venue for a birthday party for our child today with over 20 children present. I cannot thank the team at Mace Playce enough for all their help and organisation. They made the whole experience stress free and great fun. They contacted us a few days before to confirm numbers and reassured us that we would only be charged for the children that attended on the day. They took care of the party bags also, there was no way we could have got all the bits that were in the party bag for the price they charged. Other parents were telling me that they had not been there before and were very complimentary on the layout, cleanliness and organisation. I would definitely recommend this venue to others!

8. Let's Go Bonkers

Foundry Lane Units 7 & 8 Station Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 8RW England +44 1621 782874 http://www.letsgobonkers.com
Excellent
64%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Let's Go Bonkers

Reviewed By H2472DVhannahs - Burnham-on-Crouch, United Kingdom

Nicest indoor play centre we’ve visited, very bright and airy. Everything is spotlessly clean and staff are friendly and welcoming.

9. Stay and Splash

The Paddocks Long Road, SS8 0JA England +44 7726 496069 http://www.stayandsplash.rocks/
Excellent
69%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

Stay and Splash

The Canvey Lido at the Paddocks is under new Management. We have a new Kitchen offering a bigger Menu, Party room, more seating, New Climbing Frame and much more. Stay and Splash is suitable Ages 0-8 Children over 8 with younger siblings are allowed but will be required to play calmly. Opening times: Session 1 09:30 - 12:30 Session 2 12:45 - 15:45 Session 3 16:00 - 18:00

10. Go Bananas

9 + 10 Mason Road Cowdray Centre, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester CO1 1BX England +44 1206 761762 [email protected] http://www.go-bananas.co.uk
Excellent
40%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
8%
Terrible
9%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 188 reviews

Go Bananas

Go Bananas is one of the largest indoor adventure play centres in the South East of England with over 20 years of experience in entertaining children and Adults. Based in Colchester, Essex, Go Bananas have everything you need to entertain the young and old alike. Fun the weather cannot spoil! The Aztec Adventure area is an extensive 3 storey climbing frame for the over 5s. Here children can have an amazing adventure exploring the home of our mascot George Funky Monkey. Whether you want to swing like Tarzan to jump the stepping stones to avoid the crocodile water, our Aztec Adventure Frame has something for everyone. Tiny Town is a safe environment for those young adventurers that are aged 4 and under. Parents can train these young Indiana Jones’ on a smaller version of our Aztec Adventure area. Children can play the piano or pop the balloons in our interactive EyeToy zone, dance the day away in Dora's Disco or bounce around on our separated mini trampolines, all under the watchful eyes of their parents For the REALLY brave amongst you, The Wall is there to be conquered!! The Wall is a 6 meter cliff face at the edge of the Aztec Adventure area which leads to Funky Monkey’s alarm. Can you sound the alarm and wake the Aztec Adventure’s funkiest resident?!?! As well as providing a safe and fun environment for children to play, we are also the ideal venue for parties. Go Bananas has a wide choice of parties that can make any child’s special day, even more special. The added bonus is that you don’t have to clean up afterwards!! For those unlucky enough to be too old to play in the Aztec Adventure, we also have an extensive seating area and the Bananas cafe; which offers a wide range of food and drinks, there are healthy options always available and some sweet treats too. Though if you really want to play and find your inner child, Go Bananas offers Adult, Laser and Junior Mega Parties; perfect for a get together with friends, team building and hen/stag parties, offering you exclusive hire of the centre. For organised groups such as Scouts and Brownies we also offer the ultimate sleepover experience, contact our reception for more information. We offer an after school meal deal Monday to Friday (Term Time Only) for £2.00 giving you any meal from our children's menu along with a cup of squash. If you visit us on Monday mornings (Term Time Only) before 12pm, you can take advantage of our parent and toddler offer with each adult receiving a complimentary hot drink and each child receiving a complimentary cup of squash and biscuit. Please note our admission prices are: Adults and children under 6 months: FREE Children aged 6 months plus and crawlers: £1.50 Children who walk and are aged up to 4 years: £5.00 Children aged 5 to 12 years: £6.00

Reviewed By carlamW1339HE

One of the first play sites for children in Colchester . Its big and bold great fun. Went to my granddaughter's birthday party they treated her like a princess

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