High Woods Country Park

Play area:

Much of the play equipment was replaced in December 2023 with exciting new kit.

The play areas are spread over three locations leading from the High Woods Country Park Visitor Centre car park, incorporating natural elements like wooden beams mixed with traditional play equipment.

It has been designed for children of all abilities, from toddlers through to young teenagers.

Visitors Centre:

The visitor centre is open 5 days a week and offers a selection of delicious pastries, cakes and refreshments.

A range of gifts are also on offer from dog toys and locally produced honey to wooden bird boxes which have been handmade by our Countryside Colchester Volunteer Team.  If you are out for a walk, then come in and pay us a visit.

Wellness Walks:

High Woods Country Park:

The is open seven days a week all year round, and is completely free.

Visitors Centre:

• September to March: Open 5 days a week,Wednesday to Sunday, 10am until 4pm.
• April to August: Open 7 days a week, 9.30am till 4.30pm (excluding elections when the centre is used as a polling station).

By car:

For the Turner Road entrance and car park follow the signs for the A&E Hospital or Colchester North Station, then pick up the brown tourist signs. Follow signs from Tesco at High Woods for Chanterelle car park.

By bus:

There is a frequent bus service to the country park from Colchester City Centre. Numbers S1, S2, S3 and 68 buses can be caught from the bus stand (stop Ec) in Head Street. They drop you within a few minutes walk of the visitor centre.

By train:

The nearest train station to the visitor centre is Colchester North Station (approximately 1/2 mile). Leave the station and take the second exit on the roundabout, Bruff Close. Follow this road to the end where it meets Northern Approach Road (A134), cross over the A134 and turn right into Turner Road. Continue along Turner Road and High Woods Country Park is the fifth turning on your right.

On foot or bike:

There are numerous pedestrian entrances into the country park, these are open 24 hours a day. Cyclists enter at the Turner Road, Chanterelle, Hillridge, Thornton Drive and Broadlands entrances. For cycle paths into the country park view the Colchester by bike map.