Thorndon Country Park

Thorndon Country Park sprawls across 300-odd acres of Essex countryside just outside Billericay, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper wander. Ancient woodland mixes with open grassland, and you'll spot everything from woodland birds to the occasional deer if you're lucky with timing. The park has well-maintained trails threading through the trees - nothing too demanding, which makes it dead easy for families with younger legs.

You'll want to allow two to three hours minimum to do it justice, longer if you're the type to stop and identify every bird call. There's a visitor centre with facilities and parking, which matters because the park gets busy on weekends. The real appeal here isn't Instagram moments - it's the peace. Walk far enough in and you genuinely forget you're near a major town.

Walkers will get the most out of this. It's not dramatic landscape like the Cotswolds, but if you're after a decent Essex green space without fighting crowds, it delivers. Free entry too, which hardly stings when Barleylands Campsite is only five miles away - makes for a solid morning activity if you're based there. Spring and early autumn are best, when the woods aren't either muddy or full of school groups.