Social Hike & Community Picnic

  South Weald -Social Sunday Hike & Picnic- 7KM

Perfect for solo walkers and beginners

As a thank you to our amazing Essex Adventures community, we're inviting you to join us for a FREE 7km social hike and community picnic in South Weald Country Park.

This event is our way of giving something back to the people who have helped make Essex Adventures what it is today. Whether you've been with us from the very beginning or this is your very first event, we'd love you to come along, enjoy some fresh air, meet some fantastic people and spend a summer Sunday with us.

Pack your lunch, grab your walking boots and join us for a day that's all about good company, great conversations and celebrating our amazing community.

Is this hike for me?

This 7km circular route is perfect for all levels of fitness. Whether you're completely new to hiking or already enjoy getting outdoors, the pace is easy, friendly and sociable, making it a great way to spend a morning in the countryside.

The route takes around 1.5 hours before we return to our starting point for the picnic. There's absolutely no pressure to stay afterwards, but we'd love you to join us if you can. It's a great opportunity to get to know everyone beyond the walk and is all part of what makes the Essex Adventures community so special.

Coming on your own?

Nothing to worry about! Most people come along on their own and quickly get chatting.

We know that first events can feel a little daunting, but Jack and the team are there to welcome everyone and help make sure the group feels relaxed, friendly and included from the moment they arrive.

Everyone was a first-timer once. 😊

The Need-to-Knows

Start location South Weald Country Park Brentwood. Exact meeting location TBC

Hike Start Time  Arrival at 10.15am for a prompt 10.30am start

Parking - Parking is available on site. Charges apply, starting from £3.00. We recommend purchasing the maximum stay (£6.30), as this will cover the duration of the hike and picnic.

Difficulty  Easy – The route takes roughly 1.5 hours , with a relaxed social pace.

Community Picnic After the hike we'll be enjoying a picnic together. You're very welcome to join us, but all food, drinks and travel after the hike are your own responsibility.

Prompt Start

We aim to start all of our hikes on time, so please arrive 15 minutes before the hike start time. This gives everyone a chance to check in, meet the group and ensures we can get underway promptly

What's included?

🧭 Guided hike led by the Essex Adventures team

🤝 Full support throughout the walk

📝 Full kit list ( provided upon booking)

💬 Access to the community and a dedicated event group

What do I need to bring?

🙂 Yourself – We will be meeting at Southweald visitors centre car park. Chargeable parking on site

🍽️ Food / water – We recommend a small backpack, 1-1.5L of water, snacks, picnic food if you'd like them

🥾 Suitable footwear – Much of the route is off-road so walking boots or walking trainers are strongly recommended. W

📸 Camera – South Weald has some beautiful woodland and open parkland, making it a great place to capture a few photos along the way.

🍻 Picnic food and drinks – Totally optional but we would love you to join us for a picnic at the end of the hike.

 Limited Spaces

To keep the group friendly and personal, spaces are limited.

Book early to avoid missing out.

Any Questions?

Please check out our FAQs on the main website, or contact us via Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp.

There’s no such thing as a silly question , we’re always happy to help.

Don't just take our word for it!

Community is at the heart of what we do, and feedback from our members helps us make sure we practice what we preach.

" Did my first social hike with Essex Adventures in Epping and honestly had such a great time! The group was really friendly and easy to chat to and our guide Jack provided a really scenic 10K route, whilst keeping it fun, even cracking the odd joke here and there. It was a good mix of walking and chatting without feeling rushed. Already looking forward to the next one! 😄" Mia- Aug25

"I had such an amazing time on this hike and can’t recommend Jack and Essex Adventures enough! This was my second time joining and it was just as great as the first. Jack plans fantastic routes The group was brilliant too such great people and we had so many laughs along the way, which made the experience even more enjoyable. It’s a really friendly and welcoming atmosphere. If you’re looking for a fun, well-organised hike with great company, Jack and Essex Adventures are definitely the ones to go with!" Freza - Mar26

"Jack’s hikes are absolutely brilliant. Well organised with great clear communication before hand. Although nervous about my first hike. I was made to feel so welcome by Jack and the group and have now become a regular. Jack always has a kit list so you know what to bring, an honest detail of how long the hike will take and what level it’s at so you can judge for yourself how challenging it will be. One of my favourite things is that no one gets left behind as Jack always checks on the whole group throughout the hike to make sure everyone is happy and enjoying themselves and doesn’t rush folks but lets them go at a speed that works for them" - Belinda - Aug25

Join Us!

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to explore the great outdoors and enjoy a morning of nature in Epping with a great group of people.

We look forward to welcoming you on the trails!

Jack and the Essex Adventures Team