Planning your visit to the University of Essex, Colchester campus

The university’s guide is here: https://www.essex.ac.uk/visit-us/plan-your-visit/travel-to-colchester.

There is also guidance on the local area beyond the University of Essex’s campus: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/colchester-campus/local-area.

Wivenhoe Town

The harbour town of Wivenhoe is a 35–40 minute walk from the University of Essex’s Colchester campus. It is the ideal location for scenic walks along the quay, a browse in the village bookshop, or dinner at one of the local restaurants.

There is a bus route to Wivenhoe from the University’s Colchester campus. The First Bus app can be downloaded from their website and provides up to date timetabling information in the Essex region: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/tech-bus/first-bus-app

The S1 First Bus route operates between the University of Essex and Wivenhoe Train Station (located in Wivenhoe Town), which is just a short five-minute journey: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/S1%20Highwoods%20-%20Wivenhoe_0.pdf

It is also possible to hire electric scooters, where available, to travel between the university campus and Wivenhoe Town (users need to download the TIER app from their relevant app store, which also offers a map and GPS locating nearby scooters available for hire).

Food and drink in Wivenhoe town

Some restaurants you might consider visiting in nearby Wivenhoe Town include:

The Black Buoy Pub (freshly prepared home-cooked dishes – reservation required for food)
http://www.blackbuoy.co.uk

The Co-Op (a local food store that offers a great choice of locally sourced produce):
https://www.eastofengland.coop/foodstores/wivenhoe?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=food

The Greyhound Pub (a traditional family-run pub, serving a fine selection of real ales and freshly prepared, locally sourced home cooked food)
https://thegreypub.com

Henley’s (award-winning fish and chips – takeaway only)
https://www.henleysfishandchips.co.uk

The Olive Branch (delicious Syrian vegan food)
https://www.theolivebranchwivenhoe.co.uk

The Orange Tree (Tapas restaurant and cocktail bar)
https://m.facebook.com/tarragontrading?_rdr

The Rose & Crown pub (with outdoors terrace seating on the quayside)
https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/essex/rose-crown-the-quay/

Saffron (award-winning Indian cuisine)
https://www.saffronwivenhoe.co.uk

Valentinos (Italian restaurant)
https://www.facebook.com/valentinoswivenhoe/

Further visitor information about Wivenhoe Town

More information about Wivenhoe can be found on the VisitColchester website: https://www.visitcolchester.com/explore/the-beautiful-borough/wivenhoe.

Colchester Town

The University of Essex’s Colchester Campus is also just two miles away from the main city centre of Colchester.

Please note that there four train stations in the vicinity of the University of Essex, at varying distances from the campus: Hythe (Essex) is the closest station (20-minute walk), Wivenhoe (35–45-minute walk or five-minute bus ride – see bus routes above or refer to the First Bus app), Colchester Town (50-minute to one-hour walk – or see bus routes below) and Colchester North. Colchester North is the main station into London (75-minute walk – or see bus routes below). There is a taxi rank by the station (15–20-minute drive) or you can visit the “Taxi” section of the University’s site for taxi firms to pre-arrange a booking: https://www.essex.ac.uk/visit-us/plan-your-visit/travel-to-colchester. Please note, for any late-night travel it is advisable to make arrangements well in advance and check taxi availability, which can be limited late at night.

Buses

The First Bus app can be downloaded from their website and provides up-to-date timetabling information in the Essex region:
https://www.firstbus.co.uk/tech-bus/first-bus-app.

The S1 First Bus route operates between Colchester (Osborne Street or Colchester Rail Station) and the University of Essex, which is a 30–35-minute journey: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/S1%20Highwoods%20-%20Wivenhoe_0.pdf.

The 74b First Bus route operates between Colchester (Osborne Street) and the University of Essex (South Courts), which is a 25-minute journey: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/74B%20Colchester%20-%20Clacton_0.pdf.

The 87 First Bus route operates between Colchester (Osborne Street, Head Street or Colchester Rail Station) and the University of Essex (South Courts), which is a 15–20-minute journey: https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/87%20Colchester%20-%20Brightlingsea_0.pdf.

Further visitor information about Colchester Town

There’s much to see and do in Colchester while you’re here for those delegates who like to explore beyond the campus – from arts and culture to water sports, Colchester Zoo, vintage shopping and high tea in country estates.

Information about places to eat and drink in Colchester Town can be found here: https://www.visitcolchester.com/food-and-drink.

More information about things to do Colchester Town and the surrounding area can be found on the VisitColchester website: https://www.visitcolchester.com.