Getting here
51.90676, 0.91105
Best for
8 activitiesPlaygrounds
Free82%playground, parking
Dog walks
Free78%Dogs allowed with public access
Wildlife
Free75%Ancient woodland
Cycling
Varies72%Named cycling route nearby: NCN National Route 1
Heritage
Free68%Ancient woodland — historic landscape
Family friendly
Free68%Urban park — family destination
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶
Walking
121
16 named nearby · 105 public paths
Named routePublic access
🚴
Cycling
149
149 named nearby
Named route
🐴
Horse riding
5
5 public paths
Public access
Named routes and paths nearby
Colchester Orbital West B · Walking0
Colchester Orbital West A · Walking0
Colchester Orbital Spoke (North) · Walking0
Colchester Orbital Spoke (West) · Walking0
N/A · Cycling
Alternative Route · Cycling
Meander Mews · public footpath
Myland Hall Chase · public footpath
Myland FP 54 · public footpath
About this urban park
High Woods Country Park is an ancient urban park covering 283 hectares. As an ancient woodland, it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD — a rare and irreplaceable habitat rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Wildlife to spot
Photos
1 / 15
🌱 Visiting this spring
- 🌸Ancient woodlands are famous for bluebell carpets in April and May — one of Britain's most spectacular wildflower displays
- 🐦Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April
- 🦌Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best
Facilities
🅿️
Parking
1 nearby · 434m
🛝
Playground
2 · 270m away
✓ Public accessFree entry🐶 Dogs
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
- 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
- 🌳Large woodland — room to roam
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysLoading local forecast…
Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km