Summer outdoors at Basildon Park

Buttercups in front of Basildon Park house

As the early summer months begin enjoy wandering lazily around Basildon Park, taking in all the early summer blooms and the new colour on the trees in the parkland. There's plenty of space for al the family to find something to do in the warmer weather.

Summer colour in the parkland

A riot of colour starts to fill the parkland at this time of the year. Enjoy a sea of yellow on the front lawn as buttercups bloom throughout May, and many wonderful scents and sights throughout the Rose garden as they bloom in June. 

A variety of trees will be starting to show their summer colours throughout May and June, such as Hawthornes, Norway Maple, Beech Trees and the Coppa Beach.

The blue walk in the parkland will take visitors through the hidden valley, where the common spotted orchid will be blooming at this time of the year. This precious stretch of land has a high standard of bio-diversity, meaning it is excellently conserved allowing for plants to flourish and wildlife to thrive.

A couple enjoying the autumn colour as they walk through the grounds of Basildon Park

Walks at Basildon Park and the surrounding countryside 

Discover great walks in the parkland at Basildon Park with four different routes to choose from, and venture to the countryside at Lardon Chase, the Holies and Goring Gap.

Dog-walking in summer

Bring your dog along to join in the enjoyment of warmer days arriving with the early summer months. Dogs are warmly welcomed and are free to wander the gardens and parkland on short leads.

Dog walking on a lead

Dog walking at Basildon Park 

Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden and parkland at Basildon Park all year round from 10am until 5pm, or dusk if earlier. Please help us by keeping your dog on a lead and picking up after it.

The Old Kitchen is a covered, indoor space you can relax in with your dogs when it’s time for a rest. With biscuits and water provided for the dogs, grab a cup of tea and seasonal treat for yourself from the tearoom just across the courtyard.   

Shady Walks

For those days in summer when it's simply too hot, pick up a walk leaflet from Visitor Reception and enjoy a walk in the shade.

Wild Play Trail 

Natural play can be the most inspiring and rewarding way for kids to learn.

Pick up a map from Visitor Reception and explore the parkland on our Wild Play Trail, with 20 play stations to discover. We're also hosting some bookable activities over the next few months, including wild art workshops and bug hotel sessions, inspired by the Wild Play Trail.

Kids climbing over a log in the parkland at Basildon Park

Wild Play Trail at Basildon Park 

Bring the whole family along for a Wild Play adventure in the parkland at Basildon Park. Pick up a map from Visitor Reception for £1 and get stuck into nature.

Take the waymarked route in pink to discover Basil Den and see how many of the 50 things your kids can tick off their list today, including den-building and hunting for bugs