Thames Chase Forest Centre
Upminster, Greater London
About Thames Chase Forest Centre
Fancy an educational day out with the kids? Venture into the scenic natural surroundings of the Thames Chase Visitor Centre, and introduce your little ones to the important role of trees. It’s also the perfect place to teach your kids to ride a bike, as there’s a whole network of flat, surfaced paths.
Things To Do
At the Thames Chase Visitor Centre, your little adventurers will have plenty of opportunities to get active with 3 differing separate play areas to explore, including the Discovery Den. Not to mention exploring the forest on the Gruffalo's brand new party trail! Help him throw the best birthday bash!
Grab your binoculars and go bird-spotting or walk down a winding woodland trail - there are lots of great ones to pick from.
After a day of exploration, whip out your favourite blanket and enjoy a delicious picnic under the trees. Lie back and stare at the sky, watching all the different animals climb and fly above the canopy.
Thames Chase has a great local community which organises walking groups, yoga classes, community markets and more. They also host educational and craft sessions, especially for kids, plus loads of seasonal extras, so feel free to join in!
Food & Drink
Tuck into some snacks and drinks in the Thames Chase Cafe. It's the perfect place to rest up after a day of Thames Chase forest.
Accessibility
Assistant dogs welcome
Easy access trail
8 accessible parking spaces
Accessible toilet facilities are available.
- 40 sq miles of stunning woodland
- Family fun trails
- Great for easy cycling
Brand New Gruffalo Party Trail!
Take to the forest on a brand new Gruffalo Party Trail! He's celebrating his 25th birthday, which means he needs your help in locating the missing party items!
The trail will be filled with party-themed activities and fun games!
Nordic Walking Trails
Fancy a full-body workout? With the Nordic Trails, you can enjoy full-body exercise that's easy on the joints. It's also suitable for all ages and fitness levels!
Opening Times
Height barrier open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00
Pricing & Tickets
- Child (4-17) : Free
Car Parking charges apply:
Peak £2.00 per day
Off peak £1.00
Book in advance for cheapest tickets
Find other attractions similar to Thames Chase Forest Centre by visiting our attraction tickets section.
Plan Your Visit
Typical visit time more than 5 hours
Suitable for Kids and Adults too
FAQs
Parking
Toilets
Family Friendly Options
Food & Drink
Accessibility Information
Tickets & Bookings
Private Hire & Birthday Parties
Contact Details
Forest Centre at Broadfields, Pike lane
Upminster
Greater London
RM14 3NS
England
Tel: 01708642970
Visit WebsiteTransport Information
Transport & Parking for Visitors
By Car
The Forest Centre entrance is situated on Pike Lane just off St Marys Lane leaving Upminster.
Parking charges
Peak parking charges (20 March - 31 October)
£2.00
Off-peak (parking charges (1 November to 19 March)
£1.00
Verification
Claim Status:Claim
This attraction has not been claimed and verified. Own this attraction? Claim it now.
Thames Chase Forest Centre Reviews
Recent blog posts
West Midlands Safari Park welcomed Olive, a baby Northern giraffe, on 20 January 2026. She stood in 40 minutes and fed within 1 hour from mum Arusha. This vital birth boosts the vulnerable species, down over 50% in the wild, via the European Endangered Species Programme. Book tickets through Day Out With The Kids for your ultimate family safari adventure supporting conservation!
World of PAW Patrol opens spring 2026 at Chessington World of Adventures, a £15m investment over 1.4 acres recreating Adventure Bay. Enjoy 4 kid-friendly rides: Chase’s Mountain Mission coaster, Skye’s Helicopter Heroes, Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue, and UK-first Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure. Features pup meets, Lookout Tower, play areas. Book via Day Out With The Kids for discounts, arrive early to beat queues for perfect preschool family fun!
McDonald’s Friends Box launches UK-wide on 3 February 2026 at 11am, featuring adult Happy Meals with Big Mac, McPlant or 9 Chicken McNuggets, medium fries, drink, Monica’s Marinara sauce and one of six exclusive figurines (Rachel, Phoebe, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Ross). Collect all via off-peak visits, app orders and swaps. Add Pizza Mozzarella Dippers for the ultimate nostalgic family treat!
Legoland Germany Harry Potter Hotel opens in 2026 next to Günzburg resort, featuring world’s first LEGO Wizarding World stay with Hogwarts house rooms and family suites. Fly from UK to Munich or Stuttgart (under 2 hours), then drive or train 1-1.5 hours. Expect immersive land, 2-day park tickets in packages. Book early via newsletters for best deals; visit May/September to dodge crowds. Ultimate magical family adventure!
Alton Towers launches the world’s first Bluey coaster, Bluey the Ride: Here Come The Grannies, in CBeebies Land Spring 2026, replacing Postman Pat. Expect 0.9m height limit, gentle dips and twists for toddlers, streamed 770 million times on BBC iPlayer. Book via DOWTK for discounts, arrive early mid-week, use FastTrack. Secure tickets now for ultimate family coaster fun!
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure launches in the UK by late 2026, featuring immersive Platform 9¾, interactive onboard challenges, Butterbeer, and merchandise. Expect live actors, digital windows, and magical thrills in London, Manchester, or Birmingham. Tickets will sell fast with tiered pricing; book early via Day Out With The Kids for the ultimate family outing. Over 600 million books sold worldwide!
Win a Magical Christmas Experience for the Whole Family at Cockfields Farm! We’ve teamed up with Cockfields Farm to give one lucky family an unforgettable festive day out this Christmas — worth over £420! Get ready for twinkling lights, festive fun, adorable animals, and heart-warming memories that will last a lifetime. …
COMPETITION TIME: WIN a Year of Wild Adventures at Marwell Zoo! 🐆🤩 We’ve teamed up with Marwell Zoo to give one lucky family the chance to enjoy an unforgettable year of wildlife, adventure and discovery. Worth £395, this amazing prize lets you explore Marwell again and again with an annual Explorer Membership for…