We spent about a month in Essex while getting the van’s exterior updated, and during that time, we discovered Maldon's Promenade Park, which quickly became our favourite spot to park for a day. The kids and I could stay outside all day, enjoying the sun, while Dan tried to stream. Although it took a lot of tries to get a stable connection, the strong Starlink and 4G signal eventually made it possible - something we struggled to find at other campsites in the area.

The park offers a lot to keep everyone entertained. Zy loved the Pirate Treasure Hunt, spending hours searching for hidden treasures, while Jak was more interested in playing with the water and throwing rocks. The Splash Park was another highlight, offering a fun and refreshing way for the kids to cool off.

The Valley Adventure Play Area was a big hit with its slides, and climbing frames, keeping the kids busy for hours. We also enjoyed the sand pit, where they could dig and build to their heart's content. The skate park and BMX track were popular with older kids, giving them a safe space to practice tricks and burn off energy.

For some light-hearted family fun, we spent time exploring other areas of the park, though we didn’t get around to trying Adventure Golf, visiting the nearby zoo, or exploring the Viking Saga museum. Those activities are definitely on our list for next time..

A few other things we noticed: the beach huts were a nice touch, providing shade or storage for your picnic gear, and the refreshment kiosks were convenient for grabbing a quick bite or drink. However, the toilets were a bit of a letdown - functional but not always the cleanest, especially during peak times.

To give you a quick overview of our experience at Maldon's Promenade Park, we rated the following:

🛜 4G/Starlink - 6 (Streaming took a few tries to get going)  
🚽 Toilets - 5  
🚿 Splash Park - 10  
🛝 Valley Adventure Play Area - 10  
🏌️‍♂️ Adventure Golf - 8  
🛹 Skate Park - 8  
🚴 BMX Track - 8  
🏖️ Beach Huts - 7  
🏴‍☠️ Pirate Treasure Hunt - 10  
🍔 Refreshments - 8  
✨ Overall Experience - 9

All our ratings are out of 10. Please note, these are not professional ratings, just our personal opinion based on our experience with two kids in tow. For more details on the park’s facilities, you might want to check their website.