Markshall Estate

Markshall Estate is a charity-run countryside attraction near Coggeshall, set in a large landscape of arboretum, ancient woodland, lakes and a restored walled garden. Families come to explore the trees, which are planted from across the world, and to look for the dinosaur-themed trees and sculptures dotted along the paths. Younger children tend to head straight for the hands-on play areas in the Wild Wood and Chestnut Chase, where there are stepping logs, see-saws, den-building wood and a timber run. A children's trail is run on open days, and there is a play and picnic area for lunch. The paths through the central arboretum are hard-surfaced and suitable for pushchairs, while the wider grounds are grass rides and woodland tracks. Dogs are welcome on the estate. The tea rooms serve lunches and cream teas, and the estate runs family events through the year.