Hockley & Hawkwell Woods & Villages
Hockley & Hawkwell Woods & Villages
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Secret Spy Mission Trail
Spy
Mission
2.5+ Hours
2.75 miles
Not
Accessible
Not
Accessible
Dog
Friendly
Stop the Badger Brew Takeover in Hockley & Hawkwell!
Attention all top-secret agents! A woodland menace is on the loose… The cunning General Stripes, leader of the notorious Badger Network, has created a monstrous tea-making machine, hidden deep within Hockley Woods. Once activated, it will unleash a dreadful brew known as Badger Grey - a murky concoction guaranteed to ruin every cuppa in Essex and turn the teddy bears’ annual tea party into a muddy mess! Luckily for us, General Stripes is also notoriously forgetful. He’s scattered coded clues throughout the woods and villages to remind himself how to operate the machine. Now it’s up to YOU to crack his code and shut down the brew before teatime turns truly un-bear-able!
Spy Mission Through Hockley Woods & Hawkwell Villages
Your self-guided spy mission will take you deep into ancient woodland, along leafy lanes and around the peaceful green of Hawkwell. You’ll slip past badger lookout posts, dodge suspicious paw prints near Badgers Mount, and outsmart the Network as you uncover hidden intel and tea-themed riddles. But stay sharp - the woods are full of twists, turns, and agents loyal to General Stripes.
General Stripes’ terrible tea machine is ready to boil over. Only by cracking his scattered clues can you disarm the device, save the teddy bears’ feast, and restore peace (and proper tea!) to the good people of Hockley and Hawkwell.
Attention all agents, your mission is waiting…
Will YOU be able to stop General Stripes before Badger Grey takes over teatime?
The Details
- A self-guided spy mission walking Trail around Hockley & Hawkwell Woods & Villages.
- Ideal for kids aged 6 - 106!
- 2.75-mile ‘loop’ Trail (takes 2.5+ hours to complete at your own pace).
- Text message service with clues if you get stuck.
- Solve the mission and be entered into a £100 monthly draw.
- Learn more about where you live or explore somewhere new.
- Download your Trail now for INSTANT FUN (or receive your copy in the post)!
Trail Location
Trail Location
The Hockley & Hawkwell Woods & Villages Treasure Trail starts at:
The war memorial at the
Junction of Woodlands Road and Southend Road
Hockley
Essex
SS5 4PZ
England
Park in Southend Road pay and display car park
Southend Road
Hockley
Essex
SS5 4PZ
England
Mini Secret Agent Club
Mini Secret Agent Club
We have three super duper themed Clubs for your child to enjoy as part of their Treasure Trail experience.
Perfect for 4-8 year olds, the concept behind the Clubs is that your child will get a bundle of goodies to excite
them about their forthcoming Trail experience, something to keep them entertained whilst travelling to and from
the Trail, and something to be given on completion of the Trail as a keepsake.
Show more »
What is a Treasure Trail?
What is a Treasure Trail?
Before You Set Off
Before You Set Off
Navigational Advice
This Spy Mission takes you through the winding woodland paths of Hockley Woods and along the shady lanes of Hockley and Hawkwell. The route includes narrow trails, tree roots, inclines and the occasional muddy patch (a perfect playground for badger sabotage!), so it isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. But for determined agents with sturdy footwear, it’s a mission-ready mix of woodland wandering and village stealth manoeuvres.
Bring Your Furry Sidekicks
Even rogue badgers can’t stop the dogs! Four-legged spy-hounds are welcome to join the mission, especially through the village sections and many parts of the woods. With plenty of snuffle-worthy scents, woodland animals and leafy hideouts, it’s a great adventure for pups. Just keep them close on narrower trails and stick to leads near wildlife hotspots - we don’t want anyone accidentally joining the Badger Network.
Parking Sorted!
Agents arriving undercover have several convenient options:
- Southend Road Car Park (SS5 4PZ) - Behind the library and perfect for your mission start/end point.
- Nearby on-street parking around Woodlands Road and the war memorial area (mission briefing point).
- Train station access - Ideal for agents arriving by rail; clues await from Clue 15 onward.
Whether arriving in a spy-mobile or sneaking in by train, you're well placed to begin your operation.
Need the Loo?
Facilities can be found at key moments throughout your operation:
- Hockley Library - Public toilets right next door, between the car park and start point.
- Hockley Woods Car Park - Toilets available before Clue 06.
- Hockley Station - Toilets available during staffed hours.
- Local cafés and pubs - Typically happy to accommodate agents who make a purchase.
Perfect for pre-mission preparations and mid-operation pit stops.
Want to Make a Day of It?
Woodland Wonders & Wildlife Watching
Hockley Woods is one of the largest surviving ancient woodlands in Essex, full of hornbeam, oak, hidden pathways and centuries-old earthworks. Whether you’re spotting birds, listening for rustling wildlife or imagining General Stripes installing teacup turrets between the trees, it’s a magical place to explore further after your mission.
Hawkwell Village Charm
The peaceful green, village signs, historic cottages and community spaces of Hawkwell offer a picture-perfect pause point. Grab a drink, enjoy the scenery and reflect on how many times General Stripes may have lurked in the hedgerows plotting his next brew-based takeover.
Spa History & Secret Springs
Hockley’s Victorian Spa Pump Room once drew crowds eager to “take the cure” from its healing waters. Today you can stroll past the old spa buildings and imagine what it must have been like when visitors queued for wellness - or when General Stripes tried to taint the spring with Badger Grey tea.
Wander Further
With Rayleigh, Rochford and the Roach Valley Way nearby, there’s plenty more to explore if your squad wants to extend the adventure. From scenic walks to more woodland trails, this corner of Essex is full of perfect hideouts for spies… and badgers!
