Many vistors like to combine their fishing session with a day out for the rest of the family. From the lakeside the rest of the world may seem a long way away, but in fact there are a host of amenities within a short walk.

To start with there are the parks 250 acres of grassland, copses and woodlands to explore. This varied landscape holds a wide variety of animal and bird life. Badgers and Muntjac deer have been known to pass through the park, but in all honesty the occasional visitor in unlikely to see them. The foxes are a different matter though, and tend to venture out well before dusk.

If you are really lucky you might get to meet Charlie, Mick's 'tame' fox, who will often come out when Mick calls him. In fact Charlie is a totally wild creature, but he now comes out during daylight to be hand fed by Mick.

The park also holds a wide variety of bird life, making it easy to spot more than thirty different species. Amongst the more colourful year round residents are our charm of some forty goldfinches. We also have an unusually large number of green woodpeckers, with more than a dozen resident pairs. Greater spotted Woodpeckers are seen from time to time, but they can’t be considered resident. As well as the residents and passing migrants the park also attracts a variety of "hedge hoppers" which have escaped from collections. Recent sightings include a drake chiloe widgeon, a drake scarlet crested pochard, and a snow goose hybrid.

At the Eastern end of the park there is a half acre plus Wildlife Pond where fishing is not allowed. In the spring this pond abounds with frogs, toads, newts and their various tadpoles. Add the birds, the dragon flies and the host of "lesser pond life", and the Wildlife Pond becomes a very interesting area.

If your family fancy something a little less rural the Boating Pool offers the opportunity to feed a wide variety of wildfowl, with many of the ducks and geese willing to take food from the hand. At this point it’s worth remembering that white bread is a poor diet for wildfowl, and not at all good for ducklings and goslings. Wholemeal brown bread is better, with a mix of crushed biscuits, breakfast cereals, cake and wholemeal bread better still.

The Gloucester Park Swimming Pool is a great attraction whatever the weather. There is a small teaching pool which is ideal for parents with small children, and a 33 metre Competition Standard main pool. This main pool has a Fun Flume waterslide which is very popular. The Swimming Pool complex also has a Fitness Centre and Cafe. For more information about the pool and the timing of casual visitor sessions ring 01268 523588.

Alongside the boating pool and the swimming pool there is the new children’s playground. The only time we have anything to do with the playground is when we are working at the boating pool, but we can confirm that it is a magnet for children.

There are a cluster of amenities alongside the Park buildings at the Southern end of the Park. These include a bowls green, a crazy golf course, netball courts and a petanque court. For information about prices and bookings of these amenities ring the Park Offices on 01268 294990.

Basildon Town Centre is just a short walk to the South of the park. As well as the shopping, much of which is undercover, the town centre offers pubs, restaurants, and host of other attractions.

The Festival Leisure Park, located to the North of Gloucester Park, offers a wealth of opportunities for the rest of the family. The list is boringly long, but includes a multi screen cinema and a bowling alley.