Thorndon
The Nature Discovery Centre is managed by Essex Wildlife Trust and the Park is managed by Essex County Council in a joint venture.
The Nature Discovery Centre offers some unique gifts and books, refreshments and displays. Few areas offer such variety as Thorndon country park and its surroundings. Ancient woodland and historic deer parks lie close alongside recently planted woodland and a landscape of small pastures, while nearby is the high forest of Hartswood and former common land.
Plan your visit
Opening times
Open all year round open 7 days a week.
Winter opening hours:
10am - 4pm, 1 November – 15 Feb
Summer opening hours:
9.30am – 4.30pm, 16 February– 31 October
Christmas opening hours:
Christmas Eve 10am – 2pm
Closed Christmas Day & Boxing Day
New Year’s Eve 10am – 2pm
Where to find us?
Address:
Thorndon Park North, The Avenue, Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3RZ
Telephone:
01277 232944
What3words:
///pretty.boats.wells
Directions:
Facilities and access
Car parking and entry
The car park opens at dawn and closes at dusk. There is an hourly rate parking charge that goes toward the maintenance of the park. This is enforced by Essex County Council. Season tickets are available – please ask for details at the Thorndon Nature Discovery Centre.
There is a coach drop-off space, if you are planning on bringing a group, please ensure you have pre-booked your visit.
Continuous support of the Trust enables us to do amazing work for wildlife here at Thorndon and across the county. Our members are incredibly important to us and make a real difference to wildlife in Essex. You can join Essex Wildlife Trust at Thorndon or online.
Cafe
We serve a selection of items, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, toasties, delicious handmade cakes; including gluten & dairy free, cream teas, toasted teacakes, seasonal homemade bakes, smoothies and iced drinks.
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available daily.
Shop
The Nature Discovery Centre has a well stocked shop offering wildlife books, bird food and feeders, greetings cards, toys and games, a selection of locally sourced gifts, environmentally friendly and recycled products, local honey and jams, as well as packaged snacks and ice creams.
Accessibility
Disabled parking. There is a toilet for disabled visitors which is fully accessible. Some walking trails are wheelchair friendly. Baby changing area.
Visitors with dogs
Dogs are welcome in our outdoor seating area at the Nature Discovery Centre but, other than assistance dogs, they are not allowed inside the cafe and centre.
Please stay on the permitted trails at the park and keep your dog on a lead where required.
Nature Trails
Walking Trails
Various routes around the reserve, please call in to the centre and ask for details or purchase a Gruffalo trail guide.
Photo: Carol Durrell / River Photography
What to do
Explore
With miles of nature trails to explore and some stunning viewpoints, the reserve is a great place to visit all year round.
What to see
Thorndon Countryside Park offers a variety of habitats including ancient woodland, parkland, ponds, a marsh and meadow. There are some stunning ancient trees including Giant Oak and Hornbeam pollards, that are reminders that this was once a deer park. Parts of it used to be heathland, now a scarce habitat in Essex, and to restore it parts of the park, both north and south, are being grazed by goats and sheep.
The park attracts a large number of woodland birds and sees more than its fair share of passage migrants and winter visitors. For example, large flocks of Siskins and Redpolls often gather in the birches, and bramblings can be seen near to the centre feeding on beech mast. There are many butterflies to be enjoyed including the uncommon Purple and White-letter Hairstreaks.
Volunteering at Thorndon
We are looking for enthusiastic people to help promote the work of Essex Wildlife Trust at Thorndon.
Types of volunteering could include: office, shop, cafe or gardening.
Birthday parties
We offer a variety of fabulous themed birthday parties set in beautiful outdoor locations at our Nature Discovery Centres.
