Anyone who hasn’t visited Hadleigh Park has missed a treat. Located just off the A13 at Hadleigh, it’s a large expanse of open countryside that slopes down to the edge of the Thames.
One of the largest country parks in Essex, covering 387 acres, it offers open grassland, woodland, ponds, and miles of footpaths and cycling trails. It was the home of the 2012 Olympic Mountain Biking competition and received significant funding after the event as part of the Olympic Legacy.
Spotlight on Hadleigh Park
There’s been a lot of media interest in the Park recently, much of it concerned with the deterioration of cycling trails constructed both for the Olympics, and subsequently with Olympic Legacy funding. While small sections and features of the trails have been closed, and maintenance has been inadequate in some places, there is still much to be impressed by.
Ride Olympic Trails Free
The cycle trails are graded by difficulty level, and there is a trail to suit everyone. Visitors to the Park are often amazed that they can cycle where Olympians competed—completely free of charge. In summer, cattle graze on parts of the park, so cyclists (and walkers) occasionally have to avoid the cows—and what they leave behind! But wildlife flourishes, and you can often see foxes, rabbits, birds of prey, and the occasional stoat, weasel, or even an adder or two.
Hadleigh Park Cycles
We have to confess a vested interest here! We are directors of Hadleigh Park Cycles, a Community Interest Company based in the Park. We have been located here for just over five years. We hire out bikes, sell bikes and accessories, repair bikes, and organize community events such as Tri4Blood, a sprint distance cross-triathlon raising money for blood charities.
Expert Coaching for All Ages
We also provide coaching, such as improving mountain biking skills, starting out with mountain biking, or even just learning to ride a bike. We are well known for our “Learn to Ride” lessons for children, which we call “Lose the Stabilisers.” We have taught thousands of children and dozens of adults to cycle!
Hadleigh Park Riders meet up every Thursday morning for a group ride, and recently, a women-only group, Women on Wheels in Essex (Wowie), has started. They meet regularly on Saturdays and occasionally run confidence rides for those returning to the sport. For those interested in combining cycling with a bit of learning, there is a “History on a Bike” tour called the Hadleigh History Hop, where you can discover the extensive and varied history of the area—and stop off for a pub lunch, too.
Weekday Calm at Hadleigh Park
Busy times in the Park are weekends and school holidays. During the week, it is much quieter, and that is when we do most of our work with schools, youth groups, and charities. Cycling is a fantastic activity to improve fitness and mental health while getting you out into the fresh air. Our ride leaders know the best routes around the park to provide a safe and exciting ride experience.
Scenic Walks for Everyone
But if cycling isn’t your thing, walking is also well catered for in the Park and the surrounding area. You can take a short stroll from the car park and admire the wonderful views from the top of the park, or enjoy circular walks of varying lengths.
Family Fun and Activities
The Salvation Army (who own the land) runs a variety of events, from outdoor cinema screenings for families and music nights, to children’s activities during the holidays. They also run a lovely café—just perfect for a cup of tea and homemade cake after your walk or cycle. There is a children’s play area, two pump tracks, and a skills area to practice your mountain biking skills. There is also an outdoor swimming club, Hadleigh Plungers, who use the reservoir, and an angling club. Kayaking is available in the warmer months, too.
All this is on your doorstep!
There is a large car park if you drive, and buses from Southend & Canvey stop just a short walk away. Trains to Leigh or Benfleet link up with the buses if you don’t fancy the walk. So, yes, there are issues with some of the trails, but there are still plenty of activities for everyone, both on and off a mountain bike.