# Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park, Braintree — Reviews & Visitor Info > Spanning 100 acres near Braintree, this family-friendly park offers adventure trails, fishing lakes and sports pitches, plus an on-site restaurant and excellent facilities for all ages and abilities. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/attractions/great-notley-discovery-centre-and-park (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Park 🐾 Dogs Welcome # Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park Great Notley [View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=4846860806280240802&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Photo: [Michelle-Allyson Oworu](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/110431217555302575844) **In short:** Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park is a park in Braintree, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 2,634 Google reviews, with dogs welcome. Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places ## About Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park Spanning 100 acres near Braintree, this family-friendly park offers adventure trails, fishing lakes and sports pitches, plus an on-site restaurant and excellent facilities for all ages and abilities. ## What's nearby - Sky Ropes 200m away - Urmet UK 350m away Distances as the crow flies, via Google ## Good to know ### Parking - ✓Paid car park - ✓Paid street ### Accessibility - ✓Accessible parking - ✓Accessible entrance ### Payment - ✓Credit cards - ✓Debit cards - ✓Contactless Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs. ## Photos Photos via Google ## What visitors say [Graham Addison](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103267089666671678889/reviews) ★★★★★ Stopped on an off chance. Glad we did. Good walks twiste in and out for over an hour and did over 2 miles. Easy pay parking. Cafe limited opening as are the toilets. Great place for children. · via Google [Jessica H](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/115593158300487952354/reviews) ★★★★★ Cafe shuts at 3pm (Friday) but public toilets open for a little longer and accessible just round the side. Lots of wide open spaces and plenty of natural wildlife to see and pockets of little amusements for kids as you walk around. Picnic benches and benches scattered about. A bit scarce on bins (led by design I think) and shaded areas near some things so if you want a spot to settle out of the sun without a toddler wandering off down a steep bit or into taller grasses etc less than ideal. There are lakes (or a lake) yet to be discovered by us which sounds cool. I think perfect for older kids who can and will just embrace play and adventure. A bit too much effort to get there by foot with little pay off if your kids have no sensibility or who cling to you suffocatingly... · via Google [J Wrixy](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/102408028125204281861/reviews) ★★★★★ We had a great time meeting up with friends with 5 kids between us ages 3-10. We took bikes & scooters and it's all really accessible. Quite dusty with the dry weather but that's to be expected. We only did the play trail but there's longer walks / cycle tracks you can take and lots of open space. Not a great deal of shade was the only thing and not many benches but we sat on the grass. Not a bin to be seen the whole way round but it was free from litter. The only downside is that the only toilets are in the main building which is quite a way from some of the play equipment. We were down the other end by the new play equipment for quite a while so it's a bit inconvenient but the youngest did a few alfresco wees. The new play equipment is brilliant, this is a real gem! There are toilets on the same floor as the cafe but then others downstairs which you can access from just to the left of the Reception desk for the Sky Ropes (through the doors and then there's a few down the corridor - 2 at one end and then further down the corridor a disabled and another. There's also a Changing Places toilet on the bottom floor right next to the door (on the left) as you go in. I didn't go in there though so can't comment on what it's like. Overall we had a great time, the Sky Ropes looked good although we didn't do it, there was an ice cream van on site (we visited on a sunday) and a real variety of play equipment to suit the various ages we had with us. Us adults could relax and chat! Plenty of parking without walking too far. · via Google [Karen S](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/105860139136813621756/reviews) ★★★★★ different play activities on a walk route, keeps the kids playing and adults feeling like they’ve had some activity rather than sitting and watching. Also has nice big open spaces for large groups wanting picnic/play/football space. Sky ropes are well maintained, staff knowledgeable and good value. No cafe during summer holidays though. Staff members thought it should be open end of Aug…not very well thought out renovation planning!! No other food/drinks available other than a ice cream van (staff were great and ice cream well priced) Main walk way up to the park is taped off with signs to use alternative route so we had to walk up and down down a steep grassy bank so not great for access. Hopefully this will be sorted for the cafe re-opening! · via Google [See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x47d8f1ce53b9d89f:0x434382393a18dea2!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) People say this country park offers extensive open spaces, diverse play equipment, and well-maintained walking trails suitable for all ages and dogs. Visitors also appreciate the clean facilities, picnic areas, and the opportunity for a relaxed day out. Some reviews mention the parking can be expensive. Summary via Google ## At a glance **Address** VG78+GP, Great Notley, Braintree, CM77 7FS [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=51.8635160%2C0.5174597) **Category** Parks & Play Areas **Guest rating** 4.4 / 5 (2,634 reviews) **Suitable for** All Ages **Setting** Outdoor **Dogs allowed** Yes **Good for children** Yes **Destination** Braintree [More attractions in Braintree](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/attractions) ★ 4.4 (2,634 reviews) [Visit official website](https://www.explore-essex.com/places-to-go/find-whats-near-me/great-notley-country-park?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction) [03330 132900](tel:03330132900) (please mention staycation.co.uk when calling) ### Quick Facts **Destination** Braintree **Postcode** CM77 7FS **Payment** Cards, Contactless [Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x47d8f1ce53b9d89f:0x434382393a18dea2!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47d8f1ce53b9d89f:0x434382393a18dea2!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x47d8f1ce53b9d89f:0x434382393a18dea2!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) ### 🏨 Places to stay near Braintree Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices. [Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DBraintree%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link [Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/camping) ## Quick answers ### Is Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park any good? Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park is rated 4.4 out of 5 from 2,634 Google reviews. ### Is Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park dog-friendly? Yes, dogs are allowed at Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park. ### Is Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park good for children? Yes, Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park is listed as good for children. ### Is Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park indoors or outdoors? Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park is mainly outdoors. ### What ages is Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park suitable for? Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park suits all ages. ### Is Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park wheelchair accessible? Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. ### Is there parking at Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park? Yes: paid car park and paid street parking. ### How do I contact Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park? Call Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park on +44 333 013 2900. ## More near Great Notley Discovery Centre and Park ### Hotels & B&Bs nearby - [Holiday Inn Express Braintree ★ 4.1 · 0.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/hotels/holiday-inn-express-braintree) - [White Hart Hotel by Greene King Inns ★ 4.2 · 1.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/hotels/white-hart-hotel-by-greene-king-inns) - [Travelodge Braintree ★ 4.2 · 1.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/hotels/travelodge-braintree) - [Haus Serviced Living ★ 3.2 · 2.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/hotels/haus-serviced-living) ### Holiday cottages nearby - [Porters Hall ★ 5.0 · 3.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/uttlesford/cottages/porters-hall-uk49432) - [Peacock on the Pin ★ 4.2 · 4.6 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/cottages/peacock-on-the-pin-uk40013) - [Pattiswick Hall 5.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/cottages/pattiswick-hall-uk30873) - [The Carriage at High Barn Heritage 5.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/cottages/the-carriage-at-high-barn-heritage-syk1075120) ### Campsites nearby - [Stocks Farm Camping ★ 4.9 · 0.7 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/camping/stocks-farm-camping) - [Golden Grove 4.0 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/great-saling/camping/golden-grove) - [Gosfield Lake Resort ★ 4.4 · 5.6 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/halstead/camping/gosfield-lake-resort) - [Hill Farm Camping ★ 5.0 · 6.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/great-bardfield/camping/hill-farm-camping) ### Things to do nearby - [Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens ★ 4.5 · 2.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/attractions/braintree-and-bocking-public-gardens) - [Braintree Swimming & Fitness ★ 3.3 · 2.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/attractions/braintree-swimming-fitness) - [Blake House Craft Centre ★ 4.3 · 2.3 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/attractions/blake-house-craft-centre) - [Cineworld Braintree ★ 4.2 · 2.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/braintree/attractions/cineworld-braintree)