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• Managing Organisation:

  Colchester Borough Council

• Contact:

  Paul Vickers

• Telephone:

  01206282963 
• Click here for winner's location

Information about this open space

Just a few minutes from Colchester’s bustling town centre High Woods Country Park - with its woods, wildflowers, lake and ponds - is a real breath of fresh air. It’s a great place to picnic, walk and cycle, fish, feel close to nature or simply unwind and relax.  The park– which celebrated twenty years in 2007 and attracts over 150,000 visits each year and is easily reached by car, bus, train, bike and on foot. The Visitor Centre is staffed and fully accessible to visitors; it serves snacks, Fairtrade tea & coffee; has seating inside or nearby picnic areas; sells gifts and fire wood; contains visitor information, exhibition space and a children’s creative corner. Public toilets attached to the Centre are open daily.  There is a well established programme of events, health walks, activities and walks for children and adults. School and other educational groups are well provided for, with a programme of environmental education for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classes. Over 3,000 students attend each year.  With miles of surfaced paths there are excellent walks for all ages and abilities. A three mile way marked trail takes in stunning views of Colchester and the surrounding countryside.  The Colchester Volunteer Ranger Service, formed in 1993, helps look after the Country Park and Visitor Centre and currently has over 40 members. They patrol the park, assist at events, carry out estate management, lead health walks, deal with visitor enquiries and provide front-of-house services in the Centre.