Thameside Nature Discovery Park
- slaters089
- Sep 10
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 16
Address: Mucking Wharf Road, Stanford-le-Hope SS17 0RN
Location
The Thameside Nature Discovery Park is located on a site that was once used as a landfill, but it has now been reclaimed and restored back into a thriving habitat for local wildlife. The viewing platform at the top of the visitor centre offers 360-degree views over the Thames Estuary and surrounding wetlands.
The Nature Park is home to a wide variety of animals, including barn owls, short-eared owls, water voles, harvest mice, skylarks, cuckoos, and shrill carder bees. You might also spot local cattle grazing on the grassland throughout the year.
Opening Times
Thameside Nature Discovery Centre is open 7 days a week.
What's There?
At the Thameside Nature Discovery Park, you will find:
Visitor Centre
Café – serving teas, coffees, and fresh smoothies
Picnic area
Outdoor play area
Gift shop – featuring nature books, soft toys, binoculars, and bird food
Walking and cycling trails
Modern toilets and accessible facilities, including a dedicated baby changing area
The visitor centre’s distinctive round design offers panoramic views from every angle. Inside, visitors can relax in the café or browse the shop for gifts and nature supplies.
There are three trails designed to suit visitors of all needs, and complemented by a well-equipped play area, this riverside attraction is perfect for visitors of all age groups.
Parking
The main car park is large, with space for 80 cars, and parking is free.
There are 4 blue badge parking spaces, located approximately 80 metres from the visitor centre.
Accessibility
All areas of the discovery centre, including the viewing platform at the top, are accessible via ramps. Plenty of seating is available on each floor.
The distance from the farthest end of the car park to the discovery centre is just over 200 metres.
The Estuary View Trail is short at 0.3 miles, featuring a gravel path with very gentle slopes, access to the bird-spotting huts, and multiple benches along the way. This makes this short loop accessible for people of all ages and abilities. The other trails are longer and feature mown grass surfaces.
Conclusion
Overall, Essex Wildlife Trust’s Thameside Nature Discovery Park is the perfect destination for a family day out. With a variety of wildlife to see, walking trails, a play area, a café, and accessible features, the discovery park will appeal to visitors of all ages and abilities.
The accessible viewing point from the top of the discovery centre really makes this location stand out.
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