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Walking in Colchester
Two walking trails dedicated to the Roman Wall and the Siege of Colchester. Download a copy, or purchase a physical copy from the Visitor Information Centre for just £1.
More Walks
Colchester, and its surrounding countryside boasts a wide range of walks, trails and dedicated footpaths and an afternoon stroll is often a fantastic way to explore the local history and scenery alike. From short historical walks around the city, to long distance footpaths that pass through the area, you'll find a walk to suit you on this page.
Short Scenic Walks
Colchester Castle Park is a fantastic spot in the heart of the city to take a quick walk. From a riverside stroll to scenic gardens, as well as bags of history including Colchester Castle itself. We’d recommend stretching your legs here to anyone. For some extra structure you can pick up a tree trail or a family activity trail.
Further afield, local nature reserves from High Woods Country Park, to Fingringhoe, Abberton, and Cudmore Grove in East Mersea all have plenty of scenic walks to enjoy, and let's not forget Constable Country - a designated are of outstanding natural beauty with walking trails that will take your breath away.
History Trails
Discover Colchester’s History with a guided walking trail. Our top recommendation is the Hidden Colchester Trail which you can purchase from the visitor information centre for £2.50 – it’s a perfect introduction to the city and all it’s history. However, other options are available including guides to the Roman Walls, the Siege of Colchester, Colchester’s concrete murals, or a blue plaque trail.
For the technologically minded you can download the Ancient Colchester app, or a Roman Colchester audio tour and navigate the city from your smartphone or tablet
Longer Walks
From the city centre, a riverside stroll to Wivenhoe is one of most popular walks. Follow the Town to Sea trail to Colchester’s historic port, then continue along the Wivenhoe Trail beside the river bank to the picturesque town of Wivenhoe. There are regular buses and trains to get you back to your starting point again.
Locals might enjoy the Colchester Orbital – a 15 mile walk around the hidden paths, parks and backstreets encircling the city. Tackle it all at once, or in sections.
For a proper hike, two long distance footpaths run close by; the Essex Way and Stour Valley path, and of course the Dedham Vale in Constable Country offers a network of footpaths to explore in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Visit Colchester Team are always happy to help you plan your trip, and you can pick up more walking trails and maps from the Visitor Information Centre in Castle Park
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Pick from one of several walking trails on Mersea Island, or follow the coastline around the perimeter for a longer circular walk- Discover Essex's only Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on foot to make the most of the stunning scenery and country air
Walk the streets of Colchester with a fully qualified tour guide in order to discover all of its secrets. Tours run regularly throughout the year or you can even book a private tour at a time more suitable for you.
Number of results: 42
, currently showing 21 to 40.
East Mersea
Cudmore Grove offers visitors a trip to the seaside with a difference at the eastern tip of Mersea Island. The park includes a sandy beach and open grassland, perfect for picnics and great views.
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
A riverside walking trail from Colchester's town centre to the historic port.
Address
Mersea Island, EssexMersea Island is the perfect place for walking, whether you would like a short stroll of "The Old City" or a longer walk along the "Strood Channel", there are plenty of beautiful views and an abundance of wildlife to see along the way.
Address
South Green Road, Fingringhoe, Fingringhoe, Essex, CO5 7DNTelephone
01206 729678Fingringhoe
Nature reserve over 200 acres of mixed habitat on the Colne Estuary. Nature trails, wheelchair access, bird hides, gift shop and visitor centre with tea room. Friendly atmosphere. Regular events for adults and children.
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
Discover Colchester's history through these blue plaque guides put together by Colchester Civic Society. Choose from three trails: The Town Centre, Military and Wartime, or the Out of Town Trail.
Address
Wivenhoe Bookshop, 23 High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9BEWivenhoe
A self-guided walk, created by The Wivenhoe History Group around the twenty-four current and former pubs in Wivenhoe.
Address
Fixing the Link is an innovative artwork installation and wayfinding project to enhance the walk from Colchester North station to Colchester town centre.
Address
Salary Brook, off Avon Way, Greenstead, Colchester, Essex, CO4 3YRTelephone
01206 853588Greenstead, Colchester
A local nature reserve on the edge of Greenstead and Longbridge with open aspect to farmland.
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
Download these audio files to your phone or tablet for an audio tour of Colchester's Roman History. Follow the trail and listen to the insightful commentary as you go. Courtesy of Signals Media.
Address
Wivenhoe Bookshop, 23 High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9BEWivenhoe
A self-guided walk along Wivenhoe High Street discovering what Wivenhoe was like 100 years ago
Address
CO11 1ADThis short walk on the Stour Estuary between Essex and Suffolk is inspired by the 17th century East Anglian witch trials.
Address
West Bergholt, EssexWest Bergholt
Owned by the Woodland Trust, Hillhouse Wood contains a variety of different woodland as well as two ponds and streams running through it.
Address
Dedham, EssexDedham
The Dedham Vale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and famous for its links with the landscape artist John Constable.
Colchester
Cymbeline Meadows is a working farm close to Colchester Town Centre, providing quiet walks in wonderful wildlife habitats.
Address
Castle Park, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJTelephone
01206 282962Colchester
Six walking trails of Castle Park - each aimed at a different age group
Colchester
Hilly Fields offers an interesting mix of woodland, undulating paths and fantastic views.
Address
Starting point: St James's Church, East Hill, Colchester, EssexColchester
A trail exploring the Colchester Martyrs, persecuted during the Tudor period.
Address
Colchester, Town Centre, Constable Country, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Constable Country
The route is within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and uses a mixture of mainly quiet roads, cycle paths and well-surfaced tracks. The full circuit is about 69 miles and is designed to completed in two to three days, but…
Address
Visit Colchester Information Centre, Hollytrees Museum, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1UGTelephone
01206 282920Colchester
Discover the wildlife and history of the Bourne Valley with this downloadable audio tour. Starting just outside the gate to Bourne Mill on your travels you’ll be greeted by the Miller’s daughter, a medieval botanist, and Brother Jerome from St…
Address
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQTelephone
01206 873261Colchester
A pleasant walk around parts of the campus and Wivenhoe Park highlighting some of the notable trees.
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