Attractions and Days out in Colchester
Beth Chatto Gardens
The
Beth Chatto Gardens began in 1960. From an
overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and
boggy hollows it has been transformed into an
informal garden harmonising with the surrounding
country.
Complementing the gardens is a
large retail nursery producing a wide range of
plants, the majority of which can be seen
growing in the gardens.
More Details:
Elmstead Market, Colchester, Essex, CO7
7DB.
Tel: 01206 822007
Entrance fee: £4.50, accompanying children under
14 free
Opening hours:
1st March to end October: Mon - Sat: 9am
to 5pm 1st Nov to end February: Mon - Fri: 9am
to 4pm.... Gardens and nursery closed for 2
weeks over Christmas and New Year
Email:
info@bethchatto.fsnet.co.uk
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Carter's Vineyards
Carter’s
Vineyards are set in the picturesque Essex
Countryside. Carter’s is an enchanting place
comprising of 40 acres of vines, wildflower
meadows, lakes and woodlands in Boxted a short
distance off the A134. They produce an extensive
range of fine English wines, several of which
are award winners.
More Details:
Carter's
Vineyards, Green Lane, Boxted, Colchester CO4 5TS
Tel:
01206 271136
Entrance fee: See website for details
Opening hours: Easter Mon - 31 Oct 11am-5pm.
Winter months shop is open Mon-Friday 11-4pm
Email:
enquiries@cartersvineyards.co.uk
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website
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Colchester Castle Museum
A
visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes you
through 2000 years of some of the most important
events in British history. Once capital of Roman
Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation
by Boudica (Boadicea), invasion by the Normans
and siege during the English Civil War.
More Details:
Castle Park, High Street, Colchester
Tel: 01206 282939
Entrance fee: Adult £5.20, children 5-15 £3.40,
under 5s free, concessions £3.40
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm (last admission 4.30pm), Sun
11am-5pm (last admission 4.30pm)
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Colchester Leisure World
Leisure
World has year-round fun with a wide range of
sports and leisure facilities. One of the
main attractions is the leisure pool with its
exciting flume rides, bubbling spa pools, lazy
river ride, water cannons and poolside juice
bar.
More Details:
Cowdray Avenue, Colchester CO1 1YH
Tel:
01206 282000
Entrance fee: Call for details
Opening hours: Mon:6am-10pm, Tue-Fri:6am-1030pm,
Sat: 7am-10pm, Sun: 8am-9pm
Email:
enquiries@colchesterleisureworld.co.uk
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Colchester Zoo
Discover
one of Europe's finest zoos. Over
260 species and
545 sub-species
in
award-winning enclosures. Get closer to
the animals and feed elephants and giraffes or
see free-flying birds of prey. Don't miss
the African Zone, the Tiger Taiga Enclosure and
Playa Patagonia, the sea lion pool with 24m
viewing tunnel under water, plus new Komodo
Dragon enclosure.
More details:
Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester,
Essex, CO3 0SL
Tel: 01206 331292
Email:
enquiries@colchester-zoo.co.uk
Entrance fee:
Adults
£14.99, children £7.99, OAP £9.99
Opening hours: 9.30am-5.30pm (or 1 hour before
dusk) 7 days a week.
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Dedham Arts & Craft Centre
Beautiful
converted church in the heart of glorious
Constable Countryside. Three floors of
local and global arts and crafts featuring The
Cotswold Company showrooms and the renowned
vegetarian restaurant and tea room.
More Details:
High Street, Dedham, CO7 6AD
Tel: 01206 322666
Entrance fee: Free
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm 7 days a week
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East Anglian Railway Museum
A
collection spanning 150 years of railway history
can be found here as well as a detailed
explanation of how signals work and how steam
engines operate.
More Details:
Chappel Station, Nr Colchester, CO6 2DS
Tel: 01206 242524
Entrance fee: Please call for details
Opening hours: 10.30am-4.30pm 7 days a week
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Gnome Magic
Set
in 5 acres, divided into town, Gnome Magic is an
unusual treat. Enjoy the delightful garden
which blends into an amazing wood where the
growing number of 500 gnomes and their friends
live. Tea room and shop open during
season.
More Details:
Old Ipswich Road, Dedham,
Colchester
Tel:01206 231390
Entrance fee: Call for details
Opening hours: Call for details
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Go Bananas
12,000
square food indoor adventure play company
housing East Anglia's biggest play frame, the 3
storey Jungle Adventure specially for 5-12 year
olds. Large children's village for under
5s. Indoor climbing wall, spaceball ride,
full service cafeteria.
More Details:
9/10 Mason Road, Cowdray Centre, Cowdray
Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BX
Tel: 01206 761762
Entrance fee: Adult free, under 5 £3.50, over 5,
£4.20, babies free
Opening hours: 9.30am-6.30pm 7 days a week
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Mistley Park Animal Rescue Centre
Children
can play among a menagerie of rescued animals
and birds which roam freely in 25 acres of
countryside overlooking the Stour Valley. Tea
rooms serve homemade food.
More Details:
New Rd, Mistley, Colchester CO1 1ER
Tel:01206 396048
Entrance fee: Call for details
Opening hours: Tue-Sun: 10am-6pm (or dusk if
earlier). Closed Monday except school holidays.
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Natural History Museum
Housed
in the unique setting of the former All Saints
Church in 1957, the Museum focuses on the rich
natural heritage of north-east Essex. Travel
from the open through the salt marshes and
beaches to the more familiar urban environments
of the park. Discover what rocks lie beneath
your feet with a look at local geology. You can
even find out what lurks in your garden! More Details:
High Street, Colchester
Tel:01206 282939
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 11am-5pm.
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year's
Day
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Rollerworld
Colchester
is home to the UK's finest rollerskating rink,
Rollerworld. Everyone can 'have a go' in a
variety of sessions to suit all abilities, under
the careful attention of highly trained staff.
More Details:
Eastgates, Colchester CO1 2TJ
Tel: 01206 868868
Entrance fee: See website or phone for details
Opening hours: See website of phone for details
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The Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum
Visit
the home, studios and grounds where Sir Alfred
Munnings KCVO lived and painted for 40 years.
Standing in attractive gardens, two studios and
his home contain paintings, drawings and
sketches representing his life's work.
More Details:
Castle House, Dedham CO7 6AZ
Tel: 01206 322127
Entrance fee: See website or phone for details
Opening hours: See website of phone for details
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