Safer, greener and healthier active toolkit
A toolkit outlining ways families can actively travel to school is now available for use.
The toolkit has been produced by Essex County Council and Active Essex, who are committed to increasing the levels of physical activity among school pupils across Essex.
Covid-19 has given families in Essex an opportunity to rethink the school run for pupils attending the 450 primary schools in Essex.
During this difficult and challenging time, it is possible to provide some routine to daily lives by adopting an active travel approach.
Active travel allows families time in the outdoors, breathing in fresh air and getting some sunlight, needed by our bodies to absorb vital vitamin D.
While it is not convenient or possible for all students to actively travel to school, walking or cycling should be the default for many, whilst those living further away could park and stride – which means parking the car outside of busy areas and walking the short distance to the school.
To download and learn more about the Active Travel Toolkit for schools, Active Essex.
Stop. swap. go!
Find tips, advice and guidance for getting the most out of walking and cycling by visiting Stop. Swap. Go!
Brentwood Health Trax in association with Active Brentwood and Trailnet CIC.
Brentwood's Healthy walking scheme Health Trax is a free health walk programme that has been running for over 20 years. The scheme is run by volunteer walk leaders supported by Brentwood Borough Council and Ramblers. Health Trax provides safe walking routes around local parks and countryside led by trained volunteers.
Each walk has at least two trained leaders to take up front and back stop, which means you can walk at a pace that suits you. Walking is a free and easy way to better health, it's safe and simple way to meet new people and make friends.
Everyone is welcome, especially if you have or have experienced:
- high blood pressure or cholesterol
- diabetes
- coronary heart disease or stroke
- inactivity or lack of energy
- asthma
- recovering from surgery
Making trax
A good pair of shoes is the only equipment you'll need, choose any shoes that are comfortable, provide good support and won't cause blisters.
During the summer period it is important to remember to wear a hat, use sun protection and carry fluids to drink before, during and after your walking session.
If it is your first walk, it is a good idea to turn up early and make yourself known to the walk leaders. At this point you will be asked to complete a short health questionnaire; if there is any doubt we will ask you to get formal consent from your doctor for your own safety.
To register to attend one or more of the walks (details are provided on the following page) please complete the application using the link below, you will only need to do this once.
Health trax walks
Mondays
Hutton Country Park Health Walk - March to end of November. Walk begins at 11am from CM13 1FA. 30 to 40min, gentle walk.
Tuesdays
- King George's Playing Fields - all year. 11am start, meet outside the KGPF Pavillion. 1 hour, medium to brisk walk through Hartswood forest, CM13 2FD.
- Chatty walks - Meet in The Brentwood Centre main car park at 10am, Doddinghurst Road, Brentwood, CM15 9NN for a supported walk for mental wellbeing for up to 1 hour of walking.
Wednesdays
Doddinghurst - all year. 10am start from Doddinghurst village hall (free parking), CM15 0NJ for 60 to 90 minutes.
Fridays
Merrymeade Walk - 12pm start. A gentle 30 to 45-minute walk from Merrymeade house, Merrymeade Chase, Brentwood CM15 9FE, Starting on 9 May 2025.
All walks are free so there is nothing stopping you enjoying the fresh air and the benefits that come along with walking, you're in safe hands as all walks are led by trained volunteers. Come prepared for all weather.
For more information on walks or how to become a walk leader, call 01277 312500 or email activebrentwood@brentwood.gov.uk.
Walks and rides
Walks
- Countryside Walks - Hartswood Access Trail pdf
- Countryside Walks - Weald and Navestock pdf
- Countryside Walks - Warley pdf
- Countryside Walks - Thorndon and Childerditch pdf
- Countryside Walks - Navestock pdf
- Countryside Walks - Pilgrims Hatch pdf
- Countryside Walks - Mill Green pdf
- Countryside Walks - Blackmore and Norton Mandeville pdf
- Countryside Walks - Hutton and Herongate pdf
- Countryside Walks - Ingatestone & Mountnessing pdf
Rides
- Countryside Rides in Brentwood - Warley and South Brentwood Woodlands pdf
- Countryside Rides in Brentwood - Curtis Mill Green, Kelvedon Hatch and South Weald pdf
- Countryside Rides in Brentwood - Herongate, Ingrave, Hutton and Mountnessing pdf
- Countryside Rides in Brentwood - Mill Green and Blackmore pdf