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Parks and Green Space 🌿🪵

We are lucky to have some beautiful natural places to visit in Colchester and the surrounding area.  Here's a few to consider:

🌳 Bourne Valley - Bourne Valley is a site of nature conservation importance.  It is a woodland and wetland site covering 15 acres sandwiched between the residential areas of Mersea Road and Old Heath Road, there are 6 possible entrances.  

🌳 Castle Park - The main entrance to Castle Park is located at the east end of Colchester High Street next to the Castle. There are a number of other entrances including those on St Peter's Street, Roman Road, Museum Street and on Riverside Walk. Dogs are only allowed in the Lower Park and must be kept under close control and there are trails available here.

🌳 Colne Valley Nature Reserve - The Colne Local Nature Reserve lies on the north side of the river Colne on rising ground between Essex University and Wivenhoe. An 85 acre reserve consisting of 3 main areas. 

🌳 Cymbeline Meadow Local Wildlife Site - Cymbeline Meadows is a 74 ha area of working farm land comprising a rich variety of habitats including pastures, arable fields, meadows, woodland and the meandering river Colne.

🌳 Gosbecks Archaeological Park - The site falls within the boundaries made up of Maldon Road, Cunobelin Way and Layer Road, with the Roman River Valley and farmland on its southwest border.

🌳 Highwoods Country Park - High Woods Country Park is one of Colchester's best-loved beauty spots, with plenty of opportunities to relax, play and explore the large grounds.

🌳 Hilly Fields Local Nature Reserve - This 32ha local nature reserve is also designated as a local wildlife site and a scheduled ancient monument. With its fascinating past, today it provides a green lung close to Colchester town centre.

🌳 Lexden Park Local Nature Reserve - Lexden Park Local Nature Reserve at seven hectares is a relatively small reserve, with ancient woodland, a pond and meadow in the middle of the site. It is a haven for walkers and lovers of fauna and flora. Part of the site is designated a scheduled ancient monument which is the Lexden Dyke Middle.

CHECK OUT many, many more outdoor spaces here.