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Capital Walkers Group

Welcome to Capital Walkers, the friendly London Ramblers group for people aged 40+. We walk every weekend and usually at least once during the week.

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Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking
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Overview

Join us for this 12-mile walk providing a mix of urban and rural sights and the River Colne where we explore deepest Essex after just one hour on the train from central London.

From Colchester – originally known as Camulodunum, the first capital of the Roman province Britannia – we walk to the historic port town of Wivenhoe and finish our walk exploring fields and reedbeds as we gaze out over the mudflats of the River Colne.

Beginning in Colchester we wander through streets and parks passing Colchester Castle and the ruins of St Botolph's Priory along the way. We then join the Wivenhoe Trail leaving the city behind us and follow the meandering path of the River Colne as it heads towards the North Sea.

We will stop for lunch in Wivenhoe after five miles. Please bring a packed lunch as although there are shops, cafes, pubs and public toilets we won’t be able to stop for too long.

After our lunch stop in Wivenhoe – which sits on the banks of the river – our walk becomes a rural one as we rejoin the river footpath which circles back over seven miles towards Wivenhoe where we finish our walk. There will be an opportunity to visit a pub at the end of the walk.

Be prepared for a potential bracing breeze heading up from the North Sea - hat, gloves & layer(s) advisable. Although the walk is on the flat the paths are frequently uneven or muddy so I advise walking boots with good ankle support (or sturdy walking shoes) and bring your walking poles if you use them.

Drop-out point after five miles at Wivenhoe.

Sunday, 22 June 2025
Start time:
10:25 am
Estimated finish time:
5:30 pm
Difficulty:
Moderate
Distance:
19.3km / 12.0mi
Ascent:
78.9m / 259ft
Type:
linear

Travel: Take the 09.30 train from London Liverpool Street, arriving Colchester at 10.16.

Please gather outside the south entrance (after platform 4) of Colchester station where we will meet at the Elephant sculpture prior to the start of the walk.

Trains from Wivenhoe back to London Liverpool Street depart at 56 minutes past the hour with a journey time of 1 hour & 10 minutes. Buy a Wivenhoe return ticket.

No booking required.

No dogs allowed due to presence of cattle.

The expected finishing time is an estimate only and will be dependent on a number of factors, such as weather, size of group, the speed at which the group walks and the number of breaks taken. 

Features

  • Refreshments available (Pub/cafe)
  • Toilets available
  • Accessible by public transport
  • No car needed

Starting point

Grid reference:
TL 99100 26396
Nearest postcode:
CO1 1XD
what3words:
glare.lance.area
Start time:
10:25 am

Colchester Railway Station Please gather outside the south entrance (after platform 4) where we will meet at the Elephant sculpture prior to the start of the walk.

Finishing point

Grid reference:
TM 03593 21741
Nearest postcode:
CO7 9GY
what3words:
passes.fresh.chefs
Estimated finish time:
5:30 pm

Wivenhoe Railway Station

Join the Ramblers and enjoy

  • unlimited free access to 50,000 Ramblers group walks
  • a library jam-packed with thousands of tried-and-tested routes
  • a welcome pack teeming with top tips plus our Walk magazine
  • exclusive discounts from our partners
  • knowing your support is opening up more places to walk and helping more people discover the joy of walking