Grays, Thurrock

Siebrie

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

Faith177

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

antenna

You will need to speak a Romany or Polish language now in Grays so best of luck.

Goldiegirl

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

Siebrie

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?

theGrinch

I suggest something to do is take the train out of there.

Kynthia

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.

Siebrie

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 😉

Siebrie

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.

theGrinch

thank you for visiting the UK and hope you will come again.

Kynthia

Glad you had a good time.