Parndon Wood Nature Reserve — Attraction in Harlow

An absolutely brilliant hidden gem. Parndon Wood Nature Reserve is situated in Harlow (though, actually more Epping Uplands) and makes for a fantastic half day out. I visited with my family and friends over the bank holiday weekend after dreading going to the more well known farms due to the ludicrous prices and hordes of people. It was surprisingly quiet.

Parndon Wood Nature Reserve was better than I could have expected. We took the main trail which had a little bat hunt for the children, with worksheets to tick off different types of bats and food they eat. The trails cost £1 per person. There are at least three different trails which differ in lengths and are suitable for anyone of moderate fitness.

There are bridges and hides dotted along the routes which would suit those who wanted to photograph the birdlife. There is an area where they do log carving demonstrations and also a big area to do den building. The main centre has a small cafe and an arts and crafts room (50p for kids to do this), with the possibility of seeing and handling various animals and bugs. They also have a separate area of hives looked after by a local bee keeping society. The site also has unrestricted parking just outside the entrance.

The nature reserve itself is run by a charity (ECCO) and the staff are friendly, welcoming and excited about the plans they have to further develop what's on offer over time. If you're after one of those big sites where the day actually becomes more about the bouncy castles or play areas, then this is not your place. If however, you are after a genuine outdoor experience, where you can reconnect with nature and allow your kids to get their hands dirty, then Parndon Wood Nature Reserve is worth the visit and truly deserving of...

We visited Pardon Wood Nature Reserve today as it served as a near mid point location for meeting friends from London. Despite the weather being a little chilly and windy, we happily spent 4 hours here with our kids (6, 4, 2). There are a number of outdoor picnic tables near the visitor centre, which are fairly sheltered from the wind where we are food we brought with us. Our children loved spying from the hides, despite not seeing any wild life (probably having scared it away!) They also loved den building and tree climbing. The circular walk was short enough to not weary them with all their additional exertions climbing. We were thankful for the ice creams and tea from the cafe on site, and liked the look of the education room, though we didn't have time to use it. We spoke to the new manager there, who seems to have a real passion and vision for the reserve and for encouraging people to benefit from it. Unfortunately we live too far away for it to be somewhere we'd usually visit, though we'd happily make it a place to meet friends...

Some nice woods but limited visiting hours. It's the woods, it should be open more. Close all day monday and tuesday?! But to be honest it's pretty dull, never see any animals or even many birds, a butterfly if you're lucky, you are far more likely to have kids running around scaring beasties off. The people are nice and the little cafe and loos are handy but if would be lovely to just see more life. At least the little huts are open again having shut them 'because of...