Shorne Woods Country Park Reviews Summary

Park Facilities

Pros:

• "Undeniably the best all-rounder country park in the local area, perfect for short-mid range walking and cycling at all times of day."
• "It's a wood and it's got wood in it.. nicely sign posted walks and good facilities."
• "Really lovely play area, in keeping with the surroundings."
• "Food in the cafe is homemade and very nice."
• "The playground is very special and there’s lots of wildlife trails."
• "Fantastic country park for all activities, there are clearly marked walking paths, cycling and riding paths."
• "The playgrounds are very cool for children."

Cons:

• "Some of the children's play equipment taped off and not yet repaired which was a shame."
• "One of the female toilets didn't even have a door on it."
• "Some paths are impassable to buggies or smaller kids."
• "Only problem I have is that when you decide to follow a coloured route after a while the markers seem to end and you end up getting lost."
• "The cafe was filthy. The tables, chairs, floor and highchairs were all in need of a good clean."
• "Signposting of the different routes could be better as we got a bit lost!"
• "The trails were very muddy and almost impassable in some places, we could really have done with a warning as to how bad they were."

Value for Money

Pros:

• "Car park is very reasonably priced as you can stay all day."
• "There is plenty of parking available which you have to pay for its not expensive."
• "Parking is £2 all day (£3 all day for Bank Holidays), but you can pay by phone if you don’t have cash on you."
• "Parking was £3 for the whole day which compared to Essex parks is excellent value."
• "The rental off road scooters for elderly/reduced mobility are great value."
• "A beautiful place too visit very children friendly and some lovely walks good facilities and very cheap parking."
• "Parking for the day £2."

Cons:

• "Machines do NOT take Card and are COINS ONLY with no change given so be sure to remember to bring some change."
• "Car parking is a little pricey and they WILL catch you on camera if you don’t pay."
• "But to realise that parking is now £4.50 I feel that is a rip off."
• "However the parking was a little expensive."
• "Parking is a little pricey at £4, and be sure to put your reg in or you get a fine!"
• "OK park but not sign posted very well parking is expensive but you pay for the dog and not hour."
• "Just shame about parking costs if you just go there for a 2 hour walk at the weekend £3."

Food and Beverage Options

Pros:

• "Barely adequate shop and poor choice in cafe, BUT excellent sausages in OK baguettes."
• "Good little cafe for food and drinks, but be prepared for a long wait on pizza/food in general, 3 stars for cafe."
• "Great cafe with great food and even pizza made on site."
• "On-site cafe does great pizza not too expensive."
• "A really well looked after site that is very popular would really recommend to anyone looking for a cheap day out or to get closer to nature."
• "Cafe has a good choice of food including an outdoor pizza oven."
• "A fantastic public ground to go and have a walk around on a lazy Sunday afternoon brilliant on-site cafe."

Cons:

• "Couldn’t find a water bowl at cafe."
• "Stay away at the moment... the place was full of people and lots in groups of ten or more."
• "Waited over 30 minutes for a Pizza."
• "The cafe is pretty expensive in all honesty, I'm hoping that the proceeds go to keeping the grounds maintained."
• "Saw staff putting salad on a plate ready to serve without wearing gloves."
• "Busy busy there today (12/07/2020). Not such a wide range or food & drink, though."
• "Restaurant available with separate pizza bar. Neither cheap, restaurant in particular."