Grays, Thurrock

Hi there, we're coming to the UK! From Sunday 31 July until Sunday 7 August we are staying in Grays, Thurrock. Can anyone suggest free or cheap things to do in the area, including good charity shops? We have a car, and my dds are eight and five. If you could point me to discount vouchers or codes for events, that would also br much appreciated.
Thanks inadvance!
Siebrie
Are you wombling, too, in '22? € 58,96 = £ 52.09Wombling in Restrictive Times (2021) € 2.138,82 = £ 1,813.15Wombabeluba 2020! € 453,22 = £ 403.842019's wi-wa-wombles € 2.244,20 = £ 1,909.46Wombling to wealth 2018 € 972,97 = £ 879.54Still a womble 2017 #25 € 7.116,68 = £ 6,309.50Wombling Free 2016 #2 € 3.484,31 = £ 3,104.59
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  • Faith177
    Faith177 Posts: 2,927
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    You have Southend nearby you can play on the beach there for free and there are some charity shops in the town.

    There is also Grays beach which has a kids play park nearby (just noticed this is closed until further notice due to flooding so keep an eye out)

    There are plenty of country parks in that area too Wat Tyler Park and Thordon are meant to be nice

    Colchester zoo is a good day out loads of different animals to see and a little train to go on you can normally get a few £'s off by pre buying tickets online

    You can get a train from Grays right through to London if you fancy a day in London
    First Date 08/11/2008, Moved In Together 01/06/2009, Engaged 01/01/10, Wedding Day 27/04/2013, Baby Moshie due 29/06/2019 :T
  • antenna
    antenna Posts: 1,776
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    You will need to speak a Romany or Polish language now in Grays so best of luck.
    Political?....I dont do Political....well,not much!
  • Goldiegirl
    Goldiegirl Posts: 8,805
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    I used to live in Grays (35 years ago) and it's not exactly a holiday area.


    If you want to get the most of your visit you'll probably need to drive to other areas.


    You could spend a day in Kent. Canterbury is nice
    Early retired - 18th December 2014
    If your dreams don't scare you, they're not big enough
  • Siebrie
    Siebrie Posts: 2,887
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    antenna wrote: »
    You will need to speak a Romany or Polish language now in Grays so best of luck.


    Why do you assume I do not speak any languages?
    Are you wombling, too, in '22? € 58,96 = £ 52.09Wombling in Restrictive Times (2021) € 2.138,82 = £ 1,813.15Wombabeluba 2020! € 453,22 = £ 403.842019's wi-wa-wombles € 2.244,20 = £ 1,909.46Wombling to wealth 2018 € 972,97 = £ 879.54Still a womble 2017 #25 € 7.116,68 = £ 6,309.50Wombling Free 2016 #2 € 3.484,31 = £ 3,104.59
  • theGrinch
    theGrinch Posts: 3,122
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    I suggest something to do is take the train out of there.
    "enough is a feast"...old Buddist proverb
  • Kynthia
    Kynthia Posts: 5,665
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    Grays beach is a good playground in Grays with sand. However the cafe is shut at the moment which means there are no toilets there. Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood is relatively cheap. Leisure Island is a funfair in Canvey Island that has rides mostly for young children at only £5 each unlimited, but it isn't a pretty place. There are lots of country parks around that are free apart from the parking and many have themed trails, like Peter Rabbit (Dunton), Stickman (Upminster) and Gruffalo (Brentwood). More for you than the children would be a visit to the old town in Leigh-on-Sea which is supposed to be pretty.

    There are lots of non-cheap fun places like Adventure Island in Southend, Barlaylands in Billericay and tropical Wings (very good) in South Woodham Ferrers. There's a really good looking water Park in Maldon but that's quite a drive away.

    Do you have anything booked or ideas already of the type of things you want to do? It's not a typical tourist destination.
    Don't listen to me, I'm no expert!
  • Siebrie
    Siebrie Posts: 2,887
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    On Monday we went to Lakeside shopping centre and got new school shoes for the girls, and bought some picknick items. Then, we went to Chafford Hundred and picknicked at à nice playground with fitness trail, which we all tried out. In THE afternoon we walked in the Chafford Gorge, a lovely little nature reserve.
    On Tuesday we went to Greenwich and saw all THE sights there.
    In Wednesday we went to Dedham valley, which is Constable country, and is gorgeous! My dds walked all THE way from Dedham to Flatford and back. We picknicked halfway, and we hired à rowing boat for An hour. I can recommend it! Interesting Arts&Crafts centre in Dedham, too, and Dedham itself is like 'concentrate of English'.
    Today we will go to Lakeside again to check THE bhs sale and buy Some new picknick items. Then it's Tilbury Fort, Tilbury Docks, picknick, and swimming pool.
    Tomorrow is unplanned as yet, but Saturday is Southend all day.

    Thank you for all the suggestions. I like this bit of England. Plenty to do without spending much 😉
    Are you wombling, too, in '22? € 58,96 = £ 52.09Wombling in Restrictive Times (2021) € 2.138,82 = £ 1,813.15Wombabeluba 2020! € 453,22 = £ 403.842019's wi-wa-wombles € 2.244,20 = £ 1,909.46Wombling to wealth 2018 € 972,97 = £ 879.54Still a womble 2017 #25 € 7.116,68 = £ 6,309.50Wombling Free 2016 #2 € 3.484,31 = £ 3,104.59
  • Siebrie
    Siebrie Posts: 2,887
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    On Friday we went to Londoen, V&A museum, several parks, scones, fish AMD chips.
    Totdat we went to Shoeburyness East Beach, and iT was lovely and calm. We leeft at six, when thingsngot busier.
    Are you wombling, too, in '22? € 58,96 = £ 52.09Wombling in Restrictive Times (2021) € 2.138,82 = £ 1,813.15Wombabeluba 2020! € 453,22 = £ 403.842019's wi-wa-wombles € 2.244,20 = £ 1,909.46Wombling to wealth 2018 € 972,97 = £ 879.54Still a womble 2017 #25 € 7.116,68 = £ 6,309.50Wombling Free 2016 #2 € 3.484,31 = £ 3,104.59
  • theGrinch
    theGrinch Posts: 3,122
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    thank you for visiting the UK and hope you will come again.
    "enough is a feast"...old Buddist proverb
  • Kynthia
    Kynthia Posts: 5,665
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    Glad you had a good time.
    Don't listen to me, I'm no expert!
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