Now that Essex is baking in the heat of summer, what better way is there to make the most of the ongoing sunshine than head out into the great outdoors for a picnic?
The people of Essex are spoilt for open spaces to choose from, and we've selected 10 places to pack up a picnic for the day.
1. Promenade Park - Maldon
Located on the banks of the Blackwater estuary, Promenade Park's scenery provides a great backdrop to a picnic. The park has undergone major refurbishment in recent years, and currently features a lake with fountains beside their dedicated picnic area.
It also has two playgrounds as well as a state of the art splash park; providing the children with something to do, while the adults enjoy the picturesque landscape.
Opening times: 10am to 4pm
2. Cudmore Grove - Mersea Island
Cudmore Grove offers visitors a trip to the seaside. Located at the eastern end of Mersea Island, the park includes a sandy beach backed by a large expanse of open grassland, perfect for summer relaxation, picnics and taking in the views of the River Colne.
Parking is £2.50 for the day, while bosses say the money will go towards maintaining and enhancing the area
Opening times: 8am till dusk
3. Epping Forest - Epping
Epping Forest covers 6,000 acres of greenery. The extensive forest, along with areas of grassland and wetland exhibit a multitude of places to enjoy a picnic.
With mile upon mile of parkland, forest and meadows, you shouldn't get bored...
Opening times: 9am till 5pm
4. Castle Park - Colchester
Castle Park is an area of vast green, with its main attraction being The Castle - the largest Norman Keep ever built in Europe now renovated into a museum.
The park also has a 24 acre award-winning landscape, providing plenty of large areas for people to lay down their picnic blanket and enjoy lunch.
Open all the time
5. Weald Country Park - Brentwood
Large green space means its perfect for a picnic, while the wildlife areas offer with the option of meeting a wildlife of captive deers and plenty of birds.
The park also offers educational walks and tours, as well as activities for children.
Opening times: 8am till dusk
6. Danbury Country Park - Danbury
Set within the grounds of Danbury Palace, Danbury Country Park's modest and relaxing settings seem perfect for a picnic.
Barbecues are not allowed, but renovated gardens and lakes combine with the adjoining woodland and meadows. The parks modesty contrasts with many larger parks, offering a tranquil setting for picnics.
Opening times: 8am till dusk
7. Hylands Park - Chelmsford
Chelmsford's largest and most well known park has more than 574 acres of parkland, including an ancient woodland, grassland, ponds, lakes, and formal gardens. Easily accessible for the A414.
Hylands House serves as a backdrop for much of the park, restored to its former glory in 2005
Opening times: 7:30am till 10pm in July, and till 9pm in August
8. Heybridge Basin - Heybridge
Heybridge Basin is a little haven along the Blackwater estuary, with quaint grassy areas and picnic benches gifting visitors a wonderful environment for a picnic.
While eating, you may we be joined by birdwatchers and boat owners. The area contains two nice pubs - The Jolly Sailor and The Old Ship - allowing visitors to treat themselves to a drink.
Open all the time
9. Great Notley Country Park - Great Notley
Great Notley Country Park covers some 100 acres of open space, which is managed and conserved for the benefit of wildlife and the community.
The site was formerly arable farmland and has been transformed into a mixture of wetland and open grassland - deal for a picnic.
Opening times - 8am till dusk
10. River Lee Country Park - Waltham Abbey
River Lee Country Park located within Lee Valley stretches between Waltham Abbey in Essex and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.
This 1,000 acre park has a huge variety of activities such as dog agility courses and white water rapids, alongside wide open landscapes.
Open all the time
