Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Brentwood, Essex

This suburban town is located just outside the M25 ring road, and many inhabitants undertake a brief commute from Brentwood to Canary Wharf and the City of London each day.

Despite the District Line’s eastern terminus being only a few miles away at Upminster, Brentwood retains a rural ambiance characterized by open countryside, golf courses, and vast country parks that extend from the edge of the town.

Thorndon and Weald Country Parks offer tranquil natural environments for adults alongside engaging activities for younger visitors, featuring thoughtfully designed trails inspired by the works of children’s author Julia Donaldson.

In addition, families can enjoy the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary and Old MacDonald’s Farm, while Ingatestone Hall served as a refuge for Catholic priests during Tudor England.

1. Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

Over 500 mistreated, ill, or unwanted animals have discovered a loving home at this non-profit rescue center.

Many residents of the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary have arrived having suffered various forms of neglect, and visitors can learn about the past experiences of these creatures and witness their current flourishing conditions.

The sanctuary is home to a wide array of animals, including donkeys, alpacas, marmosets, reindeer, fallow deer, horses, goats, sheep, ducks, reptiles, rabbits, and cats.

The facility is open during the spring and summer, housing its numerous inhabitants in expansive paddocks, enclosures, aviaries, and terrariums.

Visitors can explore 28 different habitats, including a dedicated reptile house and two birds of prey displays, as well as a tearoom and picnic/play area.

2. Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

Nestled beneath an unassuming house in the countryside, not far from Brentwood, lies an extraordinary remnant from the Cold War era.

This Cold War museum has been operational since its decommissioning in the early 1990s, serving as a secret nuclear bunker developed to enhance the UK’s air defenses during the early 1950s.

By the 1980s, it was designated as a Regional Government Headquarters (RGHQ) intended to maintain order and coordinate recovery efforts in the event of a nuclear attack.

The bunker is equipped with generators, communication equipment, and its own water supply and air conditioning system, enabling hundreds of people to survive for extended periods.

Now transformed into a visitor attraction, complete with an audio tour, the bunker retains all of its original equipment as an intriguing reminder of a not-too-distant historical chapter.

3. Thorndon Country Park

Located south of Brentwood, this expansive area encompasses 500 acres of woods, meadows, and parkland situated on elevated terrain.

Thorndon North features wilder landscapes primarily covered by woodland surrounding Childerditch Pond.

As a sanctuary for migratory and wintering birds, such as redpolls, siskins, and bramblings, it becomes particularly delightful in spring when anemones and bluebells bloom.

The Countryside Centre in Thorndon North includes a tearoom and a shop offering jams and Gruffalo-themed merchandise related to the Gruffalo Trail, which will be discussed below.

Among the open spaces, Thorndon South provides ideal conditions for kite-flying and boasts views extending to Canary Wharf in London’s Docklands.

The Pavilion Café operates on weekends and school holidays, and a dog activity trail features tunnels, ramps, jumps, and hoops.

4. Gruffalo Trail

Noteworthy in its own right, the Gruffalo Trail in Thorndon North is a meticulously designed woodland walking path that recreates the enchantment of the Deep Dark Wood, adorned with representations of the cherished characters from Julia Donaldson’s Gruffalo.

Certainly, a Gruffalo, along with the mouse, snake, fox, and owl grace the trail.

Visitors can obtain an illustrated map for this self-guided trail for 50p from the Countryside Centre in Thorndon North, with the walk taking approximately 45 minutes.

5. Ingatestone Hall

This splendid Tudor mansion, located just a few miles from Brentwood, dates back to 1539-1556 and exhibits a U-shaped design, characterized by stepped gables and elaborate chimneys.

Ingatestone Hall, once the residence of Secretary of State Sir William Petre, welcomed Queen Elizabeth I during her Royal Progress in 1561. Interestingly, the Petre family adhered to the Catholic faith during a time of repression in England.

The family clandestinely accommodated Catholic clergy, concealing them in priest holes.

One of these clergymen was John Payne, who was executed in 1582, later becoming one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.

Guided tours are available on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons from Easter until the end of September, showcasing priest holes, oak-paneled rooms, and centuries of art and furnishings.

6. Weald Country Park

Despite the demolition of Weald Hall in 1951, the 500-acre estate is rich with over seven centuries of history.

Now recognized as Weald Country Park, the landscape was originally designed by Capability Brown in the 1730s and 40s.

Notable for its ancient trees, graceful avenues, ponds, wildflower meadows, and stunning vistas extending from the northern section that may catch visitors by surprise.

By the ponds, one can observe herons and various waterfowl, while an enclosed deer park exists, and cattle are often grazed in this area.

The park features bridleways, cycle paths, and walking trails, while children will delight in the Stick Man Play Trail, inspired by the popular character created by Julia Donaldson.

7. Warley Place Nature Reserve

More than just a nature reserve, Warley Place was once a garden cultivated by the distinguished horticulturist Ellen Willmott (1858-1934), who nurtured over 100,000 plant species and cultivars.

Due to financial challenges, she ultimately sold Warley Place.

The garden has since flourished, and the structure was demolished in 1939. Interestingly, some exotic plant species from Willmott’s time still thrive, alongside remains of the house’s walls and cellars found within the reserve.

Beginning in late winter, Warley Place becomes essential for its dazzling floral displays, ranging from snowdrops to crocuses, daffodils, camellias, bluebells, and magnolias.

The reserve also showcases an impressive row of sweet chestnuts and a colorful variety of butterflies in the meadow and woodland during summer.

8. Brentwood Cathedral

One might easily assume this magnificent English Baroque-style structure located on Ingrave Road has been standing for over 300 years.

However, Brentwood Cathedral, designed by architect Quinlan Terry, was consecrated in 1991. It serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Brentwood Diocese and includes a small neo-Gothic church dating back to the 1860s.

Terry’s design draws inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, as well as more directly from the churches reconstructed by Christopher Wren during the late 17th century.

Classical architecture enthusiasts will recognize all classical orders represented inside—Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite—while the Wren-style windows illuminate the interior with natural light throughout the day.

Additionally, sculptor Raphael Maklouf created the terracotta roundels illustrating the 15 stations of the cross, housed within the archways.

9. Mountnessing Windmill

This charming post mill, constructed in 1807, replaced an earlier mill on the site.

Historical records indicate that a mill has existed here since 1477, with the current building believed to have utilized wood from its predecessor.

Mountnessing Windmill holds a Grade II* designation, featuring a brick base and weatherboard body.

Flour production continued here until the 1930s. Subsequently, it was restored in 1937 in honor of the newly crowned King George VI. Following its latest update in 1983, the mill is fully operational and currently turns two pairs of millstones.

Visitors may either admire the mill from the exterior or explore its interior on the third Sunday afternoon of each month, from April to September.

10. Chapel Ruins

In Medieval times, the area now known as Brentwood represented a crossroads within the Great Forest, connecting routes from Colchester to London, as well as from East Anglia to the pilgrimage destination of Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.

The initial structure erected here was a chapel around 1221, with its ruins still visible at the center of Brentwood.

Within a small garden along the High Street, visitors can view the irregular ragstone and flint walls.

The intricate doorway moldings suggest that this building was renovated toward the end of the 14th century, while conglomerate blocks found lower down hint at an earlier chapel possibly existing prior to the 13th century.

11. Brentwood Museum

The local museum is a modest attraction operated by volunteers and is particularly recommended for weekend visitors during the summer months.

The museum is located at the lodge of a former cemetery, which has since been transformed into a nature reserve.

This museum chronicles domestic and social history in Brentwood, covering the period from 1840 to 1970. Special emphasis is placed on the two World Wars, featuring exhibitions that include uniforms, ration books, newspaper clippings, wireless radios, and gas masks.

Additionally, there is a display dedicated to manual laundry tools, featuring an authentic clothes wringer and washboard.

12. Brentwood Park Ski & Snowboard Centre

A well-frequented local facility, Brentwood’s extensive dry ski slope overlooks over 50 acres of woodlands.

If you aspire to improve your ski or snowboard skills, this center provides an excellent venue, especially in preparation for an impending winter sports holiday.

An array of lessons is offered, catering to both absolute beginners and those looking to refine their techniques for the slopes.

Alternatively, visitors can experience the exhilaration of gliding downhill without venturing far from Essex! A fun and nearly effortless activity available is tubing.

Children over the age of six can participate for as little as £14 per hour.

13. Barnards Farm Gardens

This enchanting garden spans over 50 acres and is open as part of the National Gardens Scheme from April to August.

Barnards Farm boasts the national collection of crab apple trees (Malus), which blossom in spring and bear vibrant fruits during the summer months.

Closer to the house, formal gardens including a parterre, potager, living wall, and an intricate Japanese garden can be found while the grounds evolve into a more informal layout, incorporating a woodland, stream, pond, and an impressive long avenue.

The estate is adorned with significant sculptures from artists such as Antony Gormley, Charmiane Cox, Elisabeth Frink, and Jean-Marie Fondacaro.

For children, a miniature railway operates on Thursdays during school holidays and in the lead-up to Christmas.

14. King George’s Playing Fields

The primary urban park in Brentwood is situated southeast of the town center, a mere ten-minute walk from the train station.

This well-appointed space serves as a venue for relaxation and exercise for the entire community.

Features include vibrantly planted formal gardens and a sensory garden designed for blind or partially sighted visitors.

Families can enjoy the crazy golf course, while a café, children’s playground, skate park, and facilities for football, rugby, cricket, and bowls are available.

Hartswood Golf Course within the park’s lower section is an 18-hole municipal course accessible on a pay-and-play basis, complemented by an excellent pro shop.

Leisurely play costs just £19 on weekdays and £25 on weekends.

15. Old MacDonald’s Farm

More of an amusement center than a traditional petting zoo, Old MacDonald’s Farm features animal-themed amusement rides, a rollercoaster, animatronic shows, indoor and outdoor play areas, radio-controlled cars, tractor rides, JCB-style construction toys, and numerous other engaging activities.

Nevertheless, animals remain the highlight of this attraction, allowing young farmers to see or interact with goats, donkeys, Shetland ponies, alpacas, chinchillas, guinea pigs, otters, rabbits, pigs, cows, tortoises, shire horses, and various species of owls.

The park has championed a regional environmental initiative, and features an educational component within the animal enclosures presented along the “fun facts trail,” offering accessible information about the park’s diverse residents.