One of Colchester’s beauty spots, the Country Park includes woodland, open spaces (ideal for picnics) a lake and wildflower meadows. Along with marshy areas, hayfields and scrubland, High Woods provides the right habitat for thousands of different birds and mammals. It’s free for humans too. A large park with lots of options for walking, cycling and fishing. A number of activities for all ages, and a visitors centre. 10 minutes walk from Colchester North Station. Map here

The Park is home to Hyland House, which has a Stable Yard with heavy horses, cafe, bookshop, artists studios, and a couple of formal gardens. A farmers market is held on the first Sunday of each month.
Read our blog about our Feb 2011 visit.

A sandy beach and lots of grassland, and plenty of options for walks.

ESSEX DAYS OUT TIP : Close to Mersea Island Vineyard and Brewery! We drove to Cudmore Grove with our bikes on the back of the car, parked up, and cycled all the way from Cudmore Grove on the eastern end of East Mersea to the far western end of West Mersea click here for the article with a map

“Danbury Country Park is set within the grounds of Danbury Palace and offers a blend of ornamental gardens and lakes, together with adjoining woodland and meadows.”

ESSEX DAYS OUT TIP : The Cricketers is a Shepherd Neame pub nearby with good beer and food. Also close to Danbury Common.

The park was originally part of the Belhus Estate, home of the Barrett and Lennard families from the 15th to the 20th Century. The grounds were designed by ‘Capability Brown’ and work carried out by Richard Woods.

“Hadleigh Country Park is one of the largest country parks in Essex. It takes its name from nearby Hadleigh Castle, an impressive ruin of a fortress built over 700 years ago, immortalised on canvas by John Constable. It’s a great place to walk, picnic, or discover wildlife and one of the best places in Essex to see butterflies. It is also home to reptiles, which can sometimes be seen in the mornings warming themselves on the sunny slopes, whilst winter brings flocks of birds, such as geese and waders, to the marshes to feed.”

“Great Notley Country Park covers some 100 acres of open space, which is managed for the benefit of wildlife and the community. The site was formally aroble farmland and has been transformed into a mixture of wetland and open grassland. Each of these habitats provides a haven for a variety of species.”

ESSEX DAYS OUT TIP : Close to Cressing Temple Barn.

Country Park next to Marsh Farm, a farm geared up for children’s visits (which charges). We were there briefly in lambing season in March 2011 – click here for the article. They are running some autumn events for the little ones : more details

“This beautiful country park contains a diverse range of habitats and is managed both for people and for its precious wildlife.”

“A charming country park containing a assorted range of habitats”

Walking trails, sculptures, relocated historic buildings, and much more.

A large park of 84 acres retains a semi-wild character with natural grassland and scrub providing habitat for a variety of wildlife. Part of the park is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. There is also a children’s playground.

To the south of town, near to Colchester Zoo. Popular with dog walkers. There was a Roman Temple and a Roman Theatre on the site, but nothing remains to be seen! Open land with a few trees.

PDF map here.