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Colchester Zoo

52 ha

Plan your visit

FarmsBirdsFamily
Public accessPaid entryDogs welcome52 ha

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🐦82+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Jackdaw and Woodpigeon
  • 🐄Summer visits here combine well with a walk along nearby trails — the animals are most active in the morning.
  • Café on site — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome
CaféParkingPlaygroundToiletsFarm visit

Best for

11 activities

Farm visits

Zoo or animal collection

Varies

Bird watching

Birds — Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Robin +79 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds

Free

Family friendly

playground, café, toilets

Free

Playgrounds

playground, toilets, café, parking

Free

Picnic day out

café, toilets, car park

Free

Wildlife

Birds — Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Robin +79 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

10 signed routes nearby · 10 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Colchester Orbital West BWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colchester Orbital West AWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colchester Orbital Spoke (North)Walking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colchester Orbital Spoke (West)Walking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Colchester Orbital Spoke (South)Walking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Birch 5public footpath · 627 m
Public pathpublic footpathLength 627 mPath type: footway
🚴

Cycling

100 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
NCN 51Cycling route
Named routeRef 51National Cycle Network
EuroVelo 2 - Capitals Route - part United Kingdom 8Cycling route
Named routeRef EV2International cycle route
Colchester Orbital CycleCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Garrison RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
NCN National Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef 1National Cycle Network
Route 13Cycling route
Named routeRef 13National Cycle Network
🐴

Horse riding

18 public paths nearby

Public paths
Gryme's Dyke Southbridleway · 797 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 797 mSurface groundPath type: bridleway
Birch 35bridleway · 258 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 258 mPath type: track
Leas Lanebridleway · 9 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 9 mPath type: track
Leas Lanebridleway · 61 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 61 mPath type: track
Leas Lanebridleway · 262 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 262 mPath type: track

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Elephant enclosure at Colchester Zoo

Elephant enclosure at Colchester Zoo

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