Braintree District Park and Playground Guide
There are tonnes of great days out in Braintree! Things to do in Braintree for families include a visit to Braintree Distict Museum, Cressing Temple Barns, walk or cycle the Flitch Way or head to Braintree Designer Outlet.
If you are looking for free things to do in Braintree, there are tonnes of great play areas! Here we have chose our favourite free play parks in Braintree. Here is your next FREE day out in the district of Braintree, Essex!
Where applicable, we have also included some great pubs and cafes close to the parks and playgrounds, so you are set for day out Braintree.
Each park has a designated blog post with full reviews, parking details, toilets, photos and more information! Just 'Read More' about the park that interests you. This Braintree Playground Guide features the following playgrounds (click to scroll to the playground):
📍 Great Notley Country Park
Braintree
CM77 7FS
Great Notley is a great Country Park in Braintree! There are plenty of things to do at Great Notley Country Park including fishing, walking and cycling. In the holidays, Children can enjoy the 'Sky Ropes' attraction and there are regular seasonal events and trails.
Our favourite thing about Great Notley Country Park is the brilliant play trail. The trail is a 1.2km loop and the pathways are accessible and buggy friendly. Along the route there is lots of different play equipment such as climbing frames, swings, a zip wire, seesaws and slides. The play trail is FREE! Read More about the Great Notley Play Trail...
Great Notley Country Park has a visitor centre where there are toilets (including baby change and accessible toilets). Inside the visitor centre there is a cafe serving drinks, snacks, ice cream and prepackaged sandwiches. There is lots of space for picnics around the country park too. Read More about Great Notley Country Park
If you are looking for somewhere for a hot meal, we recommend a trip the very family friendly The Astronomer Pub, which is only a short 2 minute drive away. The Astronomer is a Hungry Horse pub with an outdoor play area. Our Guide to Pubs with Play Areas in Essex has over 40 listed!
📍Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens
43 Bocking End
Braintree
CM7 9AE
Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens are home to beautifully maintained gardens. The Gardens stretch over almost five acres and include a lovely fountain and pond, nature hide, grassy areas and children's play park. There are also tennis courts available to hire for a small fee.
There is also a brilliant park cafe at Braintree and Bocking Gardens - Coffee House in the Gardens. The cafe serves very good coffee and other hot and cold drinks. There is a varied breakfast and lunch menu. Our favourites were the home made cakes and kids lunch boxes.
There are some great family events held Braintree at Bocking Public Gardens in the summer months. In June there is The Little Legs Festival and there is also The Festival in The Gardens in the summer. For the latest festival dates and to fin out more about, check out our Guide to Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens.
📍Brain Valley Play Park
Mill Park Drive
Braintree
CM7 1GP
The Brain Valley Playground was newly built in 2024. For a relatively small play ground, the equipment is good! There is some unique play equipment and lots of sensory play. This playground isn't suitable for a whole day out but I definitely recommend a visit if you're local or passing through. The playground is only few minutes drive from Braintree Freeport Designer Village, so a good spot to wear the kids out before hitting the shops.
This new playground is suitable for preschoolers to junior aged children. There are climbing frames with slides and climbs to suit all ages. There is also ride on equipment. The highlight is the climbing cube, never seen one like that before! There are a variety of swings including a nest swing, baby swings, long swing and tandem swing. There is a surface trampoline and sensory activity boards. Read More about Brain Valley Park
📍John Barr Playground
Queens Garden
Panfield
Braintree
CM7 5AH
You can find the John Barr Playground in Panfield village, Braintree District. This playground is a little tucked away but is worth a visit for the great quality equipment. There is also a great country pub nearby!
The play area at John Barr Playground is mainly grass based. There is play equipment for all ages. Play equipment includes a large climbing frame with two slides including an enclosed tube slide and a smaller climbing frame with a slide for toddlers and preschoolers. There is also a large pyramid climbing frame, ride on equipment and a spinning pole. There are a variety of swings including seat swings, baby swings and a nest swing. Read More about John Barr Playground
There is plenty of space for picnics at John Barr Playground. If you are after a hot meal, The Bell Inn Panfield is a short walk away. The Bell Inn is a Greene King pub serving food. The Bell Inn has a beer garden and small children's play area. If you are after a pub garden with a children's play area, check out our guide: 40+ Family Friendly Pubs with Play Areas in Essex.
📍Fisher Field Play Area
Braintree
Essex
CM7 9TA
The Fisher Field playground in Braintree is a brightly coloured play area situated in a residential area. The playground is enclosed and has lots of space inside. There is also surrounding play fields with a football goal.
This playground in Braintree has swings (including baby swings and a nets swing) two climbing frames, a roundabout, seesaw, balancing equipment including a balance board. Read More about Fisher Field Playground
Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex. Over 100 parks and playgrounds are listed