Crap Towns / Rayleigh / Parks
How many parks and playgrounds has Rayleigh got?
OS maps 5 public parks and gardens in Rayleigh (April 2026): 1.5 per 10,000 people, 40% lower than the typical town's 2.5. There are 16 play spaces, 4.9 per 10,000 people, 18% lower than the typical town's 6.0. 34.5% of its people live more than 400 metres from a park or play space, as the crow flies, 2.2 times the typical town's 15.5%.
| Measure | Here | Typical town |
|---|---|---|
| Public parks and gardens per 10,000 people | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| Play spaces per 10,000 people | 4.9 | 6.0 |
| Square metres of public park per person | 8.7 | 4.5 |
| People more than 400 metres from a park or play space | 34.5% | 15.5% |
| Town | Distance | % more than 400 metres from a park |
|---|---|---|
| Hullbridge | 3.5 km | 56.8 |
| Ashingdon | 6.6 km | 46.9 |
| Wickford | 5.8 km | 45.6 |
| Thundersley and South Benfleet | 3.7 km | 41.3 |
| Runwell | 6.2 km | 36.0 |
| Southend-on-Sea | 8.1 km | 34.7 |
| Rayleigh | – | 34.5 |
| Canvey Island | 8.1 km | 31.9 |
| Rochford | 7.4 km | 21.6 |
| Hockley and Hawkwell | 4.3 km | 20.4 |
| South Woodham Ferrers | 5.8 km | 7.4 |
| The typical town | – | 15.5 |