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96 Best Playgrounds & Play Areas in Essex

With 96 playgrounds and play areas listed, this is our biggest category — free, council-run recreation grounds and dedicated play spaces in towns right across Essex. Most suit toddlers through to primary-age children, though equipment varies by site, from multi-play frames to skate parks and toddler-only zones. With this many results, it's worth searching by your postcode or town above rather than scrolling the full list.

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Age Range

Adults All ages Babies (0-1) Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Teens (12+) Toddlers (1-4)

Venue

Covered seating Indoor Indoor & outdoor Outdoor Picnic area Waiting area WiFi

Accessibility

Accessible toilet Assistance dogs welcome Autism/SEN friendly Changing Places toilet Disabled parking Hearing loop Quiet sessions Sensory room Step-free access Wheelchair accessible

Facilities

Activities

Animal encounters Birthday parties Gift shop Play Area Private hire Rainy day activity Soft play Toilets Workshops

Availability

Holiday activities Open year-round

Booking

Booking required Free trial Gift vouchers Membership available Online booking Walk-ins welcome

Family facilities

Baby changing Bottle warming Breastfeeding friendly Children's menu Family toilets Feeding area High chairs Microwave available Pushchair friendly

Food & drink

Allergy-friendly food Café Picnic allowed Restaurant Snacks available Vegan options

Home education

Curriculum linked Daytime weekday sessions Educational workshops GCSE support Home education sessions

Parking & transport

Bike parking EV charging Free parking Near public transport On-street parking Paid parking

Pets

Dog friendly Dogs allowed outdoors only

Safety & staff

DBS checked staff (where relevant) First aid trained staff Ofsted registered (where applicable) SEND specialist staff

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99 results

Poplar Miniature Railway Open now

Attractions · £ · Coggeshall Rd, Marks Tey, Colchester CO6 1HR, UK

All ages Café Covered seating Disabled parking Free parking Gift shop Indoor & outdoor Open year-round Play Area Pushchair friendly Toilets

Admirals Park and Tower Gardens

Play Area · Free · Admirals Park and Tower Gardens, Chelmsford, Essex

Accessible toilet Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Baddow Hall Play Park

Play Area · Free · Baddow Hall Play Park, Chelmsford, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Bath House Meadow Playground

Play Area · Free · Walton-on-the-Naze, Walton on the Naze CO14 8PZ, UK

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Step-free access Toddlers (1-4)

Belfairs Woods Playground

Play Area · Free · Belfairs Woods Playground, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Belhus Woods Playground

Play Area · Free · Belhus Woods Country Park, Romford Road, South Ockendon, Aveley, RM15 4XJ

Baby changing Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Picnic area Play Area Toilets

Blenheim Park

Play Area · Free · Blenheim Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Bonchurch Park

Play Area · Free · Bonchurch Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Boxted Playground

Play Area · Free · Boxted Playground, Colchester, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Brain Valley Park

Play Area · Free · Brain Valley Park, Braintree, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Wheelchair accessible

Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens

Play Area · Free · Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens, Braintree, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Brickhouse Farm Play Area

Play Area · Free · Brickhouse Farm Play Area, Maldon, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Broomfield Village Hall Playground

Cafés · Free · Broomfield Park Playground, Chelmsford, Essex

Accessible toilet Baby changing Café Children's menu Free parking High chairs Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Snacks available Toddlers (1-4) Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Castle Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Castle Park Playground, Colchester, Essex

Accessible toilet All ages Baby changing Café Changing Places toilet Disabled parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Snacks available Toddlers (1-4) Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Central Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Central Park Playground, Chelmsford, Essex

All ages Café Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Chalkwell Park

Play Area · Free · Chalkwell Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

All ages Café Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Snacks available Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Channels Drive Park and Skate Park

Play Area · Free · Channels Dr, Little Waltham, Chelmsford CM3, UK

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Chapel Lane Playing Fields

Play Area · Free · Chapel Lane Playing Fields, Thorrington, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Chappel Viaduct Playground

Play Area · Free · Chappel Viaduct Playground, Chappel, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Chelmer Road Playground

Play Area · Free · Chelmer Road Playground, Braintree, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Coalhouse Fort Park

Play Area · Free · Coalhouse Fort Park, Tilbury, Essex

Baby changing Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Compass Gardens

Play Area · Free · Compass Gardens, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Copperfield Road Play Area

Play Area · Free · Copperfield Road Play Area, Chelmsford, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Cudmore Grove Playground

Play Area · Free · Cudmore Grove Country Park, Broman's Lane, East Mersea, Colchester, CO5 8UE

Baby changing Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Snacks available Toilets

East Beach Playground

Play Area · Free · East Beach Playground, Shoeburyness, Essex

Dog friendly Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Eastcliff Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Eastcliff Recreation Ground, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Fairfield Playground

Play Area · Free · Fairfield Playground, Ingatestone, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Feering Park

Play Area · Free · Feering Park, Colchester, Essex

Dog friendly Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Felsted Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Felsted Recreation Ground, Great Dunmow, Essex

Baby changing Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Fisher Field Playground

Play Area · Free · Fisher Field Playground, Braintree, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Frinton Park Playing Fields

Play Area · Free · Frinton Park Playing Fields, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Gainsborough Park

Play Area · Free · Gainsborough Park, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Gloucester Park

Play Area · Free · Gloucester Park, Basildon, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Grays Beach Riverside Park

Play Area · Free · Grays Beach Riverside Park, Grays, Essex

Outdoor Paid parking Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Great Baddow Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Great Baddow Recreation Ground, Chelmsford, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Great Dunmow Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Great Dunmow Recreation Ground, Great Dunmow, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Grove Road Skate Park and Playground

Play Area · Free · Grove Road Skate Park and Playground, Tiptree, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Grove Woods Playing Fields

Play Area · Free · Grove Woods Playing Fields, Rayleigh, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Gunners Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Gunners Park Playground, Shoeburyness, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Gunners Park Toddler Play Area

Play Area · Free · Gunners Park Toddler Play Area, Shoeburyness, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Snacks available Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Hadleigh Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Hadleigh Country Park, Chapel Lane, Benfleet, SS7 2PP

Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Toilets

Hainault Forest Playground

Play Area · Free · Hainault Forest Country Park, Romford Road, Chigwell, IG7 4QN

Dog friendly Gift shop Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Toilets

Halstead Road Play Area

Play Area · Free · Halstead Road Play Area, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Hanningfield Waterside Park

Play Area · Free · Hanningfield Waterside Park, Chelmsford, Essex

Baby changing Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Hardie Park

Play Area · Free · Hardie Park, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex

Baby changing Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Harlow Town Park

Play Area · Free · Harlow Town Park, Harlow, Essex

Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

High Woods Playground

Play Area · Free · High Woods Country Park, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JR

Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Toilets

Hockley Woods Playground

Play Area · Free · Hockley Woods Playground, Rochford, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Howard Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Howard Park Playground, Basildon, Essex

Dog friendly Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Hullbridge Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Hullbridge Recreation Ground, Rochford, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Hylands Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Hylands Park, London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 8WQ

Baby changing Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Picnic area Play Area Step-free access Toilets Wheelchair accessible

John Barr Playground

Play Area · Free · John Barr Playground, Braintree, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Jones Memorial Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Jones Memorial Recreation Ground, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Dog friendly Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Jubilee Beach Playground

Play Area · Free · Jubilee Beach Playground, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Accessible toilet Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

King George’s Park and Skate Park

Play Area · Free · King George's Park and Skate Park, Rayleigh, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

King George’s Playing Field

Play Area · Free · King George's Playing Field, Brentwood, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

King George’s Playing Fields

Play Area · Free · King George's Playing Fields, Rochford, Essex

Baby changing Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Lake Meadows Park

Play Area · Free · Lake Meadows Park, Billericay, Essex

Outdoor Paid parking Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Leigh Library Gardens

Play Area · Free · Leigh Library Gardens, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Leigh-on-Sea Skate Park

Play Area · Free · Leigh-on-Sea Skate Park, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Lower Swaines Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Lower Swaines Recreation Ground, Epping, Essex

Dog friendly Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Magnolia Park

Play Area · Free · Magnolia Park, Rochford, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Melbourne Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Melbourne Park Playground, Chelmsford, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Memorial Park

Play Area · Free · Memorial Park, Wickford, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Millennium Green

Play Area · Free · Millennium Green, Ardleigh, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Mountnessing Playground (Coronation Playing Fields)

Play Area · Free · Mountnessing, Brentwood CM15 0UG, UK

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Northlands Park

Play Area · Free · Northlands Park, Basildon, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Oak Tree Meadow Park

Play Area · Free · Oak Tree Meadow Park, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex

Dog friendly Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Oaklands Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Oaklands Park Playground, Chelmsford, Essex

Accessible toilet Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Orchard Meadows Playground

Play Area · Free · Orchard Meadows Playground, Southminster, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Paradise Road Playground

Play Area · Free · Paradise Park Playground, Chelmsford, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Pawsons Playground

Play Area · Free · Pawsons Playground, Brightlingsea, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Pelican Playground

Play Area · Free · Pelican Playground, Chigwell, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Pet’s Corner Playground

Play Area · Free · Pet's Corner Playground, Harlow, Essex

Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Priory Park

Play Area · Free · Priory Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

All ages Café Free parking Outdoor Picnic allowed Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Snacks available Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Promenade Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Promenade Park Playground, Maldon, Essex

Accessible toilet All ages Baby changing Free parking Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Restaurant Toddlers (1-4) Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Rayne Park

Play Area · Free · Rayne Park, Braintree, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Riverside Park

Play Area · Free · Riverside Park, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Runwell Park

Play Area · Free · Runwell Park, Wickford, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Shoebury Common Playground

Play Area · Free · Shoebury Common Playground, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

All ages Café Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Restaurant Snacks available Toddlers (1-4) Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Shoebury Park

Play Area · Free · Shoebury Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Shotgate Park

Play Area · Free · Shotgate Park, Wickford, Essex

Dog friendly Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Southchurch Park

Play Area · Free · Southchurch Park, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

All ages Café Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Stanway Lakelands Centre Playground

Play Area · Free · Stanway Lakelands Centre Playground, Colchester, Essex

Café Changing Places toilet Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Stonards Hill Recreation Ground

Play Area · Free · Stonards Hill Recreation Ground, Epping, Essex

Dog friendly Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Swift Avenue Playground

Play Area · Free · Swift Avenue Playground, Stanway, Colchester, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Wheelchair accessible

The Common

Play Area · Free · The Common, Saffron Walden, Essex

Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Thorney Bay Beach Playground

Play Area · Free · Thorney Bay Beach Playground, Canvey Island, Essex

Baby changing Outdoor Paid parking Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Three Shells Beach Playground

Play Area · Free · Three Shells Beach Playground, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Restaurant Snacks available Toddlers (1-4) Toilets

Tile House Farm Playground

Play Area · Free · Tile House Farm Playground, Great Horkesley, Essex

Dog friendly Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Chelmer Park

Cycling routes · Free · Beehive Ln, Chelmsford CM2 8RL, UK

All ages Assistance dogs welcome Free parking Near public transport Open year-round Outdoor Picnic allowed Picnic area Play Area Pushchair friendly Step-free access

Victoria Park

Play Area · Free · Victoria Park, Laindon, Basildon, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Great Notley Country Park

Forests & country parks · Free · Great Notley Country Park, Great Notley, Braintree, CM77 7FS

Breastfeeding friendly Café Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Picnic allowed Picnic area Play Area Pushchair friendly Snacks available Toilets

Great Notley Play Trail

Play Area · Free · Great Notley Country Park, Great Notley, Braintree, CM77 7FS

Baby changing Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Snacks available Toilets

Wat Tyler Country Park Playground

Play Area · Free · Wat Tyler Country Park, Pitsea Hall Lane, Pitsea, Basildon, SS16 4UH

Dog friendly Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Step-free access Toilets Wheelchair accessible

Weald Country Park Play Areas

Play Area · Free · Weald Country Park, Weald Road, Brentwood, CM14 5QS

Dog friendly Outdoor Paid parking Play Area Toilets

West Mersea Playground

Play Area · Free · West Mersea Playground, West Mersea, Essex

Free parking Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Wick Country Park

Play Area · Free · Wick Country Park, Wickford, Essex

Dog friendly Free parking Outdoor Picnic area Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Wolsey Park Play Area

Play Area · Free · Wolsey Park Play Area, Rayleigh, Essex

Outdoor Play Area Preschool (3-5) Primary (5-11) Toddlers (1-4)

Frequently asked questions

Are play areas in Essex free to use?

Yes, every play area and playground listed here is a free, council-run public space.

What age are Essex play areas suitable for?

Most suit a wide age range, from toddlers to primary-school children, though some have a dedicated toddler zone — check each listing for specifics.

How do I find the closest play area to me?

Enter your postcode or town in the search box above to see play areas within your chosen radius, from 1 to 50 miles.