THERE’S nothing better than going for a peaceful stroll through some picturesque parks with family or your little fury friend to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of cities, towns or villages.
If you're looking to take your dog through in a park around south Essex, here are some of the best spots.
Belfairs Park
Located in Eastwood Road North, Belfairs Woodland has 1,160 acres to explore.
Much of the woodland is more than 1,000 years old, making it the earliest recorded in Essex.
There is also a visitor centre, which is home to a shop, a café and meeting spaces.
One TripAdvisior contributor said: “[It’s a] surprisingly large area of woodland to explore and easy to get off the beaten track.
“Get down to the Prittle Brook as the dogs like to have a paddle - can get muddy.
“The Essex Wildlife Centre serves very good coffee and hot chocolate and dog biscuits, although, unfortunately, it doesn’t allow dogs inside and there’s no shelter if it’s raining.
Hockley Woods
Situated next to The Bull Pub, in Main Road, the site covers more than 130 hectares.
It is the largest remaining area of wild wood that covered Essex after the Ice Age.
Visitors can visit the much-loved All Smiles Catering, run by Lorraine Bradley, to tipple on a silky hot chocolate or feast on a juicy hotdog.
A reviewer on TripAdvisor penned: “[I’ve] been a visitor to Hockley Woods since I was a small child.
“Great for families and dog walkers alike. The Bull pub is next to the woods and is great place to recover.
Wat Tyler Country Park
Just off the A13 near Basildon, sits the 125-acre countryside adventure park.
The area was inhabited from the Bronze Age and was also once the location of the Pitsea Explosives Factory.
There is a RSPB Wildlife Garden, a visitor centre and even a miniature railway.
One Basildon resident took to TripAdvisior and wrote: “I love taking my dogs to Wat Tyler.
“[There’s] so many different paths to take. It’s ideal for children of all ages too, with the adventure playgrounds for smaller and older children.
“[There’s] plenty of activities and fun during school holidays.”
Langdon Hills Country Park
Situated in One Tree Hill, Corringham, Horndon on the Hill, Stanford-le-Hope, is the 400-acre Langdon Hills Country Park.
It boasts panoramic views over the Thames Estaury, as well as views of the London skyline – on a clear day.
The park, which has two main areas – One Tree Hill and Westley Heights - has ancient woodlands, which dates back to prehistoric times, with flower-rich grassland meadows and areas of dense scrubland.
Another TripAdvisor user said: “We regularly take our dog here on a Sunday afternoon.
“Westley Heights is good when the ground is very muddy because there is a path.
“One Tree Hill is great any time of year.”
Norsey Wood
Based off Outwood Common Road, Billericay, Norsey Wood is steeped in history and the diversity of its wildlife makes the 175-acre that little bit more unique.
Due to this, the site has been designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which means it is legally protected due to historical importance, as well as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status – usually describes an area of particular interest to science.
One TripAdvisior reviewer penned: “This is an excellent place to take the dogs and cycle No matter what time of year, [I] always love walking around.”
Download the Walks in Essex app (www.localwalks.co.uk/walks-in-essex) for more walks where you live.
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