Parks & outdoor spaces

Beth Chatto Gardens in a beautiful outdoor space near Colchester. Covering 6 acres, these gardens have become world famous for their beauty and innovation, with planting led by Beth Chatto's mantra 'The right plant for the right place'. Original problem areas, from boggy ground, a gravelly car park, and bramble filled woodland, have been transformed by the use of plants suited to the conditions to... Read more

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 six entrances:
*Bourne Road
*Gilberd Road
*Old Heath Road
*Barn Hall Avenue
*Stalin Road
*Mersea Road

Opening times:... Read more

Colchester's Castle Park is a large, scenic and well maintained Victorian park in the heart of Colchester's town centre. As well as being a perfect location for a spot of fresh air, quick walk, or picnic the park also provides a perfect setting for a huge range of events including shows, festivals and concerts.

Free to explore and fully accessible throughout, the park grounds include... Read more

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. Wivenhoe Woods is a mixed coppice and secondary woodland, Ferry Marsh is a former grazing marsh and Lower Lodge Farm is mainly scrub and grassland.

Opening times: all day, every day.

Facilities and... Read more

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.

Opening times: all day, every day.

Facilities and access
-Parking: space for only 4 cars in a small car park on Wet Lane just past the sport ground.
-Picnic area: there is a short... Read more

Firstsite is Colchester and the East of England's contemporary visual arts gallery. Housed in a spectacular golden building designed by Rafael Vinoly Architects, Firstsite is both a gallery and community hub - showcasing a wide variety of impressive artworks from internationally recognised artists to more locally relevant exhibitions. It has an in-house cinema, cafe, and shop as well as meeting room... Read more

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.

Opening times: all day, every day.

Facilities and access:
-Public and permissive bridleways: horse riders are required to keep to the bridleway and permissive marked routes.
-Occasional guided walks... Read more

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.

A walk or cycle in the park is a great way to exercise, with waymarked paths leading you through bluebell woods whilst catching glimpses of the lake and wildflower meadows and taking in the great views of Colchester.

The adventure... Read more

This 32ha local nature reserve is also designated as a local wildlife site and a scheduled ancient monument. With it's fascinating past, today it provides a green lung close to Colchester town centre.

Opening times: all day, every day.

Facilities and access:
-Good path network and walks, surfaced route crosses site between Sussex Road and Sheepen Road entrance.... Read more