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.
Peter O.
Join me for this 12-mile walk providing a mix of city, town and country along the River Colne where we get to 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 – which was only awarded city status in 2022 as part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations 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. After our lunch stop in Wivenhoe – which sits on the banks of the river Colne – our walk becomes a rural one as we rejoin the river footpath before heading inland and finally circling back alongside the river towards Wivenhoe where we finish our walk and the opportunity to visit a pub.
We will stop for lunch in Wivenhoe after 5 miles. Please bring a packed lunch as although there are shops, cafes and pubs we won’t be able to stop for too long.
No dogs allowed due to likely presence of cattle.
Exit point after 5 miles at Wivenhoe.
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.
To help with hydration – also good for sustainability and our bank balance - we can make use of a free water refill point at Colchester train station which is located on platform 2, near the Coffeelink kiosk. There is also a water fountain at the Wivenhoe public toilets in the car park. Wivenhoe town will have several options to purchase extra drink and food.
Travel: Take the 09.18 train from London Liverpool Street (Stratford 09.25), arriving Colchester at 10.15.
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.
Direct trains from Wivenhoe back to London Liverpool Street depart at 23 minutes past the hour or at 32 minutes past the hour with one change of train at Colchester. Buy a Wivenhoe return ticket.
There are toilets on the train, at Colchester station on platforms 1, 2, 3 & 4 and Wivenhoe has a number of toilet options including public toilets in the car park.
No booking required.
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.
Colchester Railway Station Please gather outside the south entrance (after platform 4) of where we will meet at the Elephant sculpture prior to the start of the walk
Wivenhoe Railway Station
