Guide: The Best Inclusive Parks and Playgrounds in Essex
Inclusive play equipment gives all children opportunities to play and learn. Inclusive play equipment may include accessible play equipment and sensory play equipment that will stimulate SEN children's senses
In this Inclusive and Accessible Playgrounds in Essex Guide you can find out about accessible parking and changing places facilities.
This Guide to SEN playgrounds features inclusiveb playgrounds in Colchester, Chelmsford, Walton-on-the-Naze, Brentwood, Basildon and Harlow. This post features the following playgrounds in Essex (click to scroll to the playground):
📍Wat Tyler Country Park
Pitsea Hall Lane
Pitsea
Basildon
SS16 4UH
Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea, Basildon has one of the best children's play parks in Essex. The play area underwent huge refurbishment and the inclusive play area opened in summer 2024. The play area is suitable for children of all ages and has inclusive play equipment. Wat Tyler Country Park also has fantastic opportunities for wildlife spotting and great trails.
Inclusive Play Area at Wat Tyler Country Park
Inclusive play equipment at Wat Tyler Country Park includes ramps, a variety of swings (including ability swing), floor trampoline and floor level roundabout. There is also sensory and musical equipment. The playground flooring is mainly smooth and flat.
Other play equipment includes a variety of climbing frames for toddlers and also older children. There are also spinning, balancing and climb on equipment. There is also a sizeable sandpit area with sand diggers, although this is not accessible.
The play area is enclosed. However, this is a large play area and it does get busy.
Parking
There is Free Parking at Wat Tyler Country Park. The Car Park is a one minute walk from the Wat Tyler Centre and a two minute walk to the playground. There are Blue Badge parking spaces within the car park closest to the adventure playground.
Toilets
There is a changing place facility at Wat Tyler Country Park located opposite the Wat Tyler Centre. There are also accessible toilets inside the Wat Tyler Centre.
Other Things to do at Wat Tyler Country Park
Wat Tyler Country Park has lots of wildlife, trails and regular school holiday events for children. Find Out More...
📍King George's Playing Field
Ingrave Road
Brentwood
CM14 5AE
There is so much to do at the King George's Park in Brentwood. A highlight is the great playground, which also has brilliant accessible play equipment. Other attractions include crazy golf, a seasonable splash park, soft play and skateboard park. There is also a sensory garden within the park grounds.
The playground at King Georges Park is excellent. There are several separate play areas to suit children of all ages, including an enclosed toddler play area. The equipment is brightly coloured and in good condition. The flooring is mainly a mix of concrete and spongy tiles.
Inclusive Play Area at King Georges Playing Fields
Inclusive play equipment at King Georges Park Brentwood includes a variety of swings including an ability swing. There are ramp accessible frames and floor trampolines. There are several sensory and musical boards.
Other playground equipment at King Georges Park includes climbing frames, climbing equipment, ride on equipment, sensory boards, merry-go-rounds and balancing equipment. For older children there is a zipwire. There is a large linked climbing frame with a variety of challenging climbs.
The play area is enclosed. However, this is a large play area and it does get busy.
Parking
There are several car parks at King Georges Playing Fields. The Rugby Club, Golf Club and Overflow car parks are accessed via Ingrave Road. The Hartwood Road car park is accessed by Hartwood Road.
King Georges Playing Fields Car Park CM13 2AH
There are 6 Blue Badge parking spaces at this car park.
Parking charges: 30 mins - Free (one free parking session per vehicle, per day), 1 hour - £1.50, 2 hours - £2.50, 3 hours - £3.50, 4 hours - £4.50, 5 hours - £5.50, 6 hours - £7.00, 24 hours until close - £9.00
For more information on where to park at King Georges Park, check out the Brentwood Council website.
Toilets
There is a changing places accessible toilet in the Hartwood Pavillion. There are also accessible toilets and baby change toilets close to the playground.
Other Things to do at King Georges Playing Fields
Other attractions at King Georges Playing Fields include crazy golf, seasonable splash park, soft play and skateboard park. There is also a sensory garden within the park grounds.
📍 The Bath House Meadow Playground
Walton on the Naze
CO14 8PZ
If you are visiting Walton-on-the-Naze make sure you stop at the best playground in Walton-on-the-Naze - Bath House Meadow. This great playground also has fantastic inclusive play equipment. This accessible play equipment has a unique, beach/pirate themed.
Inclusive Play Area at Bath Meadow Playground
Inclusive play equipment at Bath Meadow Playground includes a ramp to the main boat frame. There is also a floor level trampoline and floor level roundabout.
There is great sensory musical equipment including winding musical equipment, mirrors and a musical ship wheel at this playground in Walton-on-the-Naze.
The playground is suitable for all ages. The playground has so much to offer; slides at different levels, swings, long swings, a trampoline, sand pit and sand digger and even a surf board!
The enclosed playground is fenced off and there are benches.
Parking
There is no specific car parking for Bath House Meadow Playground. There is on street parking on next to beach on Hall Lane. Parking is available at Coronation Car Park (1st April to 30th Sept). Coronation Car Park can be found on Prince's Esplanade, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8PT (Charges Apply). There is a further car park at Walton on the Naze Lifestyles Leisure Centre. The Leisure Centre car park can be found on Prince's Esplanade, Walton on the Naze, CO14 8PZ (Charges Apply).
Toilets
The closest public toilets are next to the beach and Kino Amusements, five minutes walk away. These toilets are not accessible and do not have baby change.
Other Things to do at Bath House Meadow Playground
Walton-on-the-Naze beach! This playground is located close to the beach. It is a short drive from The Naze Nature Discovery Centre, an Essex Wildlife Trust visitor centre. The Naze is a great spot for fossil hunting, we've found fossilised shark teeth before!
📍Town Park
Harlow
CM20 2QG
The Pets' Corner Playground can be found at Harlow Town Park. We love this playground because it is suitable for children of all ages and most importantly it is one of the most inclusive play areas in Essex.
Inclusive Play Area at Pets Corner Town Park
The play area at Pets Corner has an accessible frame with lots of musical equipment and educational areas. There is an accessible roundabout. There is also an accessible play house.
There is also a section of the play area with a farm theme. There is a climbing frame with slide, accessible seesaw, climb on tractor and sensory boards.
There is a large climbing frame with a variety of climbs and steps. It has three slides of differing heights. There is a large, rope bridge and mound with a tunnel underneath. There is spinning equipment, musical equipment and sensory boards.
The entire playground is enclosed.
Parking
Closest car park School Lane Car Park, CM20 2QB
Free parking for 2 hours on Saturday and Sunday. 2+ hours £1.25
Monday - Friday Up to 1 hour FREE, 1 - 5 hours £1.10, 5+ hours £6.20
4 Blue Badge parking spaces
Toilets
There are toilets at Town Park including baby change and changing places toilets.
Other Things to do at Town Park Harlow
Pets' Corner Playground is also located close to Pets' Corner Farm. You can click here for more information about visiting the FREE farm at Pets' Corner in Town Park. Harlow Town Park has several beautiful, unique gardens (including a sensory garden), seasonal splash parks, nature reserves and a wonderful bandstand.
📍Hylands Park
Chelmsford
CM2 8FS
There is a great, castle themed adventure playground at Hylands Park, which is in the Hylands House Estate. There are three separate areas, each with play equipment for a different age range. The play areas are close together, so this is a good playground if you have children of different ages/abilities.
Inclusive Play Area at Hylands Park
The highlight of the playground at Hylands Park is the large, wooden castle fort. The fort is accessed by ramps, making it accessible for wheelchair users. There are also sensory boards.
Elsewhwere is the playground, there is also a smaller climbing frame and also ride on animals for smaller children. There are a variety of swings including tyre swings and nest swings.
Parking
Writtle Car Park - 1 hour - £3.35, All day - £5 MiPermit Code 744026
Parking charges apply between 9am and 6pm. Chelmsford residents are entitled to a discount, Click here for more information. If you are a Blue Badge holder, you can park for free all day when displaying a valid Blue Badge.
Toilets
There are toilets at Hylands Park. There are located next to the car park and include baby change and accessible toilet facilities.
Other Things to do at Hylands
Hylands House is an impressive Grade II listed building. Hylands House open day every third Sunday of the month. Entry to Hylands House is free and there are free guided tours. There are various events at Hylands House throughout the year including the Enlightened Lights Trail at Hylands House, Adventure Outdoor Cinema showings and the Foodies Festivals. Hylands Park is home to the only Go Ape location in Essex.
📍Stanway Lakelands Centre
2 Western Approach
Stanway
Colchester
CO3 8DX
The Stanway Lakelands Community Centre has great faculties including a cafe, inclusive playground, sensory room and full Changing Places facility.
Inclusive Play Area at Stanway Lakelands Centre?
This inclusive playground has lots to offer! There is a large sandpit with a wooden climbing frame running through it. The climbing frame has slides, various climbs and a ramp. There is also a floor trampoline. There is sensory and musical play equipment.
Other equipment includes swings, ride on equipment and roundabout. This playground is NOT enclosed and close to the car park.
Parking
There is a car park with free car parking at Stanway Lakelands Centre
Toilets
There is a changing places toilet at the Stanway Lakelands Centre.
What else is there to do at Stanway Lakelands Centre
There are regular school holiday events at the Stanway Centre. There is also a FREE Sensory Room at Stanway Lakelands Centre. The small sensory room with lights and bubbles is available to drop into inside the centre, no pre-booking required. There is a cafe inside the leisure centre.
Don't forget to check the Park Directory for more park inspiration - A-Z of over 100 Parks in Essex
Last Updated January 2025
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