Thorndon Country Park
BEST FOR
Up to age 11
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Brentwood
What it’s like
A self-guided Gruffalo walk through the woods for 80p, plus open parkland, a dog course and bikes to hire.
The Gruffalo Trail is the reason most families come. You buy a map at the Countryside Centre at Thorndon North for 80p, then follow hand-carved character figures through the woodland on a self-guided walk that takes about 45 minutes. Wellies are a sensible call, and dogs have to stay on a lead along that stretch.
Entry to the park is free, but the car park isn't: £3.15 for up to an hour, £4.40 for two, £5.50 for four and £6.55 all day. Bring a full day's worth of change if you're doing the trail plus a picnic, because the machine takes card and contactless, or you can pay through the MiPermit app. Kids up to about 11 get the most out of it, and the trail is short enough that a four-year-old will manage it without being carried.
Thorndon South is the other half of the day. There's open parkland for kites and picnics, a dog activity course with ramps, tunnels and hoops, and bike hire from the Activity Centre with bikes, trikes and kit for different sizes. A Heritage Trail and a downloadable walking trail start from there too. The café at Thorndon South is closed at the moment, which is a nuisance if you've parked at that end, so plan on eating at Thorndon North or bringing your own. The North café does soup, baked potatoes, cakes and ice cream until 4.30pm.
October half term brings the Spooky Magic Trail, a self-led thing with a prize draw, running 10am to 4pm. Remember the no BBQs rule, and that the fishing at Old Hall Pond needs a rod licence and permit. Free all-terrain Tramper scooters are available to borrow if you ring ahead to book the induction.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Roughly 2 to 11; the 45-minute trail suits shorter legs, older ones want the bikes
- Booking
- Gruffalo Trail is a self-guided walk, just turn up and buy a map for 80p
- Parking
- Pay-and-display from £3.15/hr (£6.55 all day)
- Food
- Café at Thorndon North serves light bites (soup, baked potatoes, cakes, ice cream, drinks)
- Picnics
- Welcome, especially on the open parkland at Thorndon South
- Wheelchairs
- Free loan of 4x4 all-terrain Tramper mobility scooters, book training on 01277 211250
- Dogs
- Welcome but under control
- Worth knowing
- Free entry to the park. You only pay for car parking (Explorer Pass gives free parking at seven parks)
- Parking costs £3.15 to £6.55 depending on how long you stay, even though the park itself is free
- Take wellies: the Gruffalo Trail is a woodland path and gets muddy
- The Thorndon South café is closed, so eat at Thorndon North or bring food
- Buy the trail map at the Countryside Centre at Thorndon North before you set off
- No BBQs or open fires anywhere in the park
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Park entry is free. You pay for parking: £3.15 up to an hour, £4.40 for two, £5.50 for four hours and £6.55 all day. The Gruffalo Trail map is 80p from the Countryside Centre.
Do we need to book the Gruffalo Trail?
No. It's a self-guided walk, so you turn up and buy a map at Thorndon North. Only the Tramper scooter loan needs booking, on 01277 211250.
How long does the Gruffalo Trail take?
About 45 minutes. It's a woodland walk, so wellingtons are a good idea, and dogs need to be on a lead along it.
When is the park open?
8am to dusk every day, including Christmas Day, though closing times shift with the seasons. The café and shop at the Countryside Centre run 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Is there a café?
There's one at Thorndon North serving soup, baked potatoes, cakes, ice cream and drinks. The Thorndon South café is closed at the moment, so if you're parked at that end you'll want your own food.
Can we bring a picnic?
Yes, and the open parkland at Thorndon South is the spot for it. Take your litter home if there's nowhere to put it.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome but have to be kept under control, on a lead or by command. They're on lead around the Gruffalo Trail and in grazed areas, and they can't come into the café.
Can we have a barbecue?
BBQs and open fires are banned everywhere in the park.
What's there for kids who aren't fussed about the trail?
Thorndon South has a dog activity course with ramps, tunnels and hoops, bike hire with trikes and smaller kit, and plenty of open grass for kites and running about.
What happens at October half term?
The Spooky Magic Trail runs from 17 October to 1 November 2026, 10am to 4pm. It's self-led with a prize draw at the end.
Can I borrow a mobility scooter?
4x4 all-terrain Tramper scooters are free to borrow. Ring 01277 211250 to book training and bring ID to the induction.
Where are the toilets?
Behind the Countryside Centre at Thorndon North near the car park, and in the Octagon Pavilion at Thorndon South. Baby changing and accessible facilities at both.
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