Hadleigh Castle country park, Off Chapel Lane, Hadleigh, Benfleet, SS7 2PP

Tel: 01702 551072www.hadleighcountrypark.co.uk

The park gets its name from the nearby Hadleigh Castle: an impressive ruin of a fortress built over 700 years ago. There is always plenty to do at Hadleigh. Where else in Essex can you see Kent, Canvey, Southend Pier, Canary Wharf and the Dartford Bridge all from the same place? It's a great place to walk, picnic, fly a kite or discover wildlife. You can explore the park by following one of the self guided trails from Chapel Lane. You may see kestrels high above, flocks of geese feeding on the marsh or butterflies basking on the sunny south facing slopes. Why not take a bracing walk along the sea wall between Leigh and Benfleet and return by train?

How to find us:

Map

By road: The main car park can be found from Chapel Lane, off the A13 in Hadleigh. Just follow the brown road signs marked country park.

By bus: Travel line on: 0871 200 2233 (calls charged at 10p per minute additional network charges may also apply).

By rail: Closest stations are Benfleet and Leigh on Sea on the London, Tilbury and Southend Line - Timetable enquiries: 08457 484950.

Opening Times:

From 8.00 am until dusk.

Parking:

Pay and display; Cars: Full day ticket £2; tax exempt vehicles - no charge; motorcycles - no charge; coaches - £15.

Excess charge for failure to display a valid ticket - £60 (reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days).

Season Tickets are available.

Facilities:

Toilets at Chapel Lane. Tea Room and Rare Breeds Centre are located nearby on the adjacent Salvation Army Farm which can be accessed by foot from the Chapel Lane Car Park.

Events:

The rangers host many events and activities throughout the year including stargazing walks in winter, glow-worm hunts in summer and the seasonal Santa in the Park.

A reproduction iron age round house has recently been constructed on the site, which is used for special events and educational visits.

Education:

Hadleigh Rangers can offer Roman, Iron Age and Saxon Experiences and a mock Archaelogical dig contact them for more details: 01702 551072. The Country Parks Education Team offers early years to Key Stage 4 curriculum-linked education programmes. For more information please contact 01245 435869.

Contact:

The Essex Ranger Service on 01702 551072. Leaflet available.