Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park, Stanford-Le-Hope: Hours, Address, Thurrock Thameside Nature Park Reviews: 4.5/5
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is situated on the Thames Estuary and is fantastic for family days out, bird and ship watching, historical interest and getting away from the hustle and bustle. The views across the Thames Estuary are stunning, especially from our fully accessible rooftop viewing deck which offers 360 degree views of the nature park and Thames. The visitor centre has a café with full length windows for viewing the estuary, gift shop, toilets with baby changing and a bird hide with wheelchair access which overlook the SSSI mudflats a short walk away. We have a wonderful natural play and picnic area for families to enjoy. Dogs are welcome on leads and events are held throughout the year with free parking. The site which was once landfill and has been given back to nature is 120 acres at present and will eventually be 845 acres, it is a tremendous habitat for coastal and wetland wildlife, as well as very important grassland flora and fauna species. The Nature Park is important for many species including Barn Owls, Short Eared Owls, Water Voles, Harvest Mouse, Skylark, Cuckoo and Shrill Carder Bee. However, these are not the only beneficiaries, local Cattle also graze the grassland during the year. The area is an avian hotspot and throughout the year there are overwintering and migrant bird species residing at the park. There are internationally important numbers of Ringed Plover and Avocets and nationally important numbers of Grey Plover, Dunlin, Godwit and Redshank as well as a treasure trove of butterflies, moths and bees. Footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways access the Nature Park and we are on the Thames Estuary Path route which extends to 27 miles from Tilbury town through to Leigh on Sea.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
54 within 3 miles

Inn on the Green
201
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • British • Pub

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0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub

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76
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

Monty's Curry Centre
59
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Bangladeshi • Vegetarian Friendly

Panahar
59
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Balti
Taste of Asia
4
0.7 miIndian • Balti • Eastern European

Flames
14
0.8 mi$ • Fast Food • Asian • Turkish

Kings Kebab
16
0.8 mi$ • Fast Food • Turkish
Lotus House
43
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese
Adonis Pizza Kebab
9
0.8 mi$ • Pizza • Fast Food • Turkish
Attractions
67 within 6 miles

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1 miParks

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146
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415
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279
Parks • Military Bases & Facilities

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130
Ferries

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428
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145
Theaters

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136
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
120 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
42
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Stephen B
Heywood, UK143 contributions
Friends
Well maintained, lovely café and shop.
Small garden area at one end nearest the entrance to the large carpark. Everything looking a bit hot and bothered understandably.
Baking hot day, lovely walk around the lake followed by trails through the wooded area. Butterflies our main interest and there were a few species on view.
Recommend it if you want a nice walk in a well maintained reserve with amenities on site and somewhere to get a drink, food, and/or lollies.
There is a Beatrice Potter trail to amuse the kids, and there are plans to add in kids activity area sometime.
The paths do go uphill and across, and some lead away from the reserve without doubling back but stick to their trails and you cannot go wrong.
Small garden area at one end nearest the entrance to the large carpark. Everything looking a bit hot and bothered understandably.
Baking hot day, lovely walk around the lake followed by trails through the wooded area. Butterflies our main interest and there were a few species on view.
Recommend it if you want a nice walk in a well maintained reserve with amenities on site and somewhere to get a drink, food, and/or lollies.
There is a Beatrice Potter trail to amuse the kids, and there are plans to add in kids activity area sometime.
The paths do go uphill and across, and some lead away from the reserve without doubling back but stick to their trails and you cannot go wrong.
Written August 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Delaune2015
Grays Thurrock, UK42 contributions
Family
Went and visited Thurrock Thameside Nature Park at the weekend. Was empty nice for somewhere to go for a nice walk. Wasn’t there long as it looked like rain and was cold, nothing was open it closed for the winter
Written March 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cheekycockney190757
Basildon, UK7,630 contributions
Saturday 13th February 2021 Thameside Nature Reserve, Stanford Le Hope. Our first visit and it was a freezing day. This being during lockdown 3 it was pretty empty including the visitor centre being closed, as well as the bird watching hides, but the car parks were open at the said visitor centre and the one at the entrance. There is a child play area at the said centre and maps to the various trails that run around the site. On these trails, there are bench seats and currently pictures of rabbits to spot. Not a massive site or allot to see, especially during the lockdown and when the tide is in and thus the wadding birds you may come to see have no mudflats to walk over. Still, a nice place to come to walk with a free car park and views down the estuary Note they close the gate at sunset so if you want to be in the site after that for bird watching at changes in the tide then make sure you are parked outside the reserve.
Written February 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hoppityskip
Essex, UK13,303 contributions
Couples
Parked off site and walked down to the centre and back. Always a great place to visit. We'll maintained.
Written February 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
taurean_traveller122
Corringham, UK11,769 contributions
Lovely to enjoy countryside and see so much effort in bringing nature alive locally. Lots of nice walks and a pleasant cafe
Written November 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hoppityskip
Essex, UK13,303 contributions
Lovely relaxed walk though a little perplexed why shops, restaurants and cinemas are open but visitor centre isn’t,
Bit harsh if you are disabled as it’s a long 25 minute stroll to the seats
Bit harsh if you are disabled as it’s a long 25 minute stroll to the seats
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
deringerlowry68
Stanford-Le-Hope, UK3 contributions
We love calling in for a bit of cake and a drink, then a walk round or watch the birds. There is always something going on for children in the holidays or events like craft events or nature related talks. The shop has a great range of food items and gifts and the cafe does some lovely food.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Edita Sa
Essex, UK5 contributions
Stunning views and the countryside great! Great for a walks
There is also a great children's play area, wonderful coffee shop and information about local bird life.
There is also a great children's play area, wonderful coffee shop and information about local bird life.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hoppityskip
Essex, UK13,303 contributions
Couples
I am 64 and I was a youngster today!
Great event singalong is always therapeutic!
At least it was indoors on a very blowy day!
Great event singalong is always therapeutic!
At least it was indoors on a very blowy day!
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Susan F
Chelmsford, UK324 contributions
Whatever the weather the nature park has something for everyone. There are walks through the park ... long or short. Fantastic view over the Thames estuary, a bird watching hide where you see an array of wading birds in their natural habitat, and not to mention some breeding pairs in the fields. There are so many activities for children from the adventure play area for the older ones and the wooden boat for the younger ones, and that’s just outside. Inside there are events scheduled on a regular basis and activities for young and old. You can purchase your bird food and equipment from the shop plus other items from toys, cards and other useful items, all proceeds from the shop goes to Essex Wildlife Trust.
Accessed via a spiral walkway is the rooftop observation platform where the views are amazing.
Finally after your exercise partaking in all the wonderful activities at the site there is a coffee shop which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes. It’s a very popular place with the locals for a cupcake and natter.
Accessed via a spiral walkway is the rooftop observation platform where the views are amazing.
Finally after your exercise partaking in all the wonderful activities at the site there is a coffee shop which serves hot and cold drinks, snacks and cakes. It’s a very popular place with the locals for a cupcake and natter.
Written December 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Can you physically walk to the nature park from stanford-le-hope station safely or do you need to drive up there? Can't figure out if the walking trail is mapped out or not we don't have a car.
Susan F
Chelmsford, UK324 contributions
Yes. There is a marked footpath from Stanford le Hope station that takes you to the old disused church, when you get to the church turn left and follow the road (light traffic only going to houses and nature park) for about 1/4 mile past a house on the left and the ranger house on the right, through the gate to the nature park and then you’ll come to the footpaths onto the park on the left hand side of the road. Enjoy
JulieGoodall
Coventry, UK83 contributions
Is this free to enter and park?
Hoppityskip
Essex, UK13,303 contributions
Yes bit of a trek down the road to the car park but it’s free and nice place too
Frequently Asked Questions about Thurrock Thameside Nature Park
- Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Thurrock Thameside Nature Park:
- (1.71 mi) The Bell Inn
- (4.72 mi) Glass House Retreat
- (6.57 mi) Travelodge Gravesend
- (5.69 mi) Orchard Cottage
- (9.20 mi) Downham Hall - Hotel
- Restaurants near Thurrock Thameside Nature Park:
- (0.76 mi) Inn on the Green
- (1.72 mi) The Bell Inn
- (2.83 mi) Joey's Java
- (0.81 mi) Gino’s Taverna
- (0.76 mi) The Regent Foyer Restaurant