Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of firstsite

Park Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex, CO7 7SP, Tel: 01206 230455, (4 miles, 6kms)

20 acres of professionally designed gardens within woodland destroyed by the 1987 hurricane. Now a plantsman's paradise full of unusual plants for all year round colour.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ, Tel: 01206 282939, (0.1 miles, 0.2kms)

Colchester Castle is temporarily closed for 2013 for an exciting redevelopment. We will be creating new museum displays and improved visitor facilities. The Castle will re-open for Easter 2014. Visit our website for further details

Flatford, East Bergholt, Suffolk, CO7 6UL, Tel: 01206 391153, (7 miles, 11kms)

RSPB Wildlife Garden with flower borders, wildflower meadow and orchard designed to create wildlife habitats and support biodiversity.

Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL, Tel: 01206 331292, Email, (4 miles, 6kms)

One of Europe's finest zoos; with over 260 species and 50 daily displays including the chance to feed elephants and giraffes yourself!

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RT, Tel: 01206 572422, Email, (0.9 miles, 2kms)

National Trust property, the mill was originally built as a fishing lodge in 1591 and features stepped "Dutch" gables. There is a millpond and some of the machinery, including the waterwheel which is intact and working.

Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US, Tel: 01206 330784, Email, (7 miles, 11kms)

Magnificent Tudor building with the tallest Gatehouse in Britain and 16th century Italianate terracotta. Climb the tower, visit the gardens, outbuildings dolls house, church and farm animals. Cafe and shop.

Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZ, Tel: 01206 322127, Email, (6 miles, 9kms)

The Home and Studios of Sir Alfred Munnings, PPRA.

Parkeston, Essex, CO1 2PG, Tel: 01255 242000, (0.1 miles, 0.2kms)

Harwich International Port - East Anglia's only passenger port. Daily sailings to key destinations - your gate way to Europe and Scandinavia.

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH, Tel: 01206 577067, Email, (0.0 miles, 0.0kms)

firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.

East Bergholt Place, East Bergholt, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6UP, Tel: 01206 299224, Email, (8 miles, 12kms)

Garden and arboretum. 20 acres of beautiful grounds. Trees, shrubs and rare plants. Victorian walled garden houses specialist plant centre.

Little Wigborough, Essex, UK, Tel: 01376 562226, (7 miles, 11kms)

Situated on the remote and attractive Blackwater Estuary, they are part of the Blackwater site of Special Scientific Interest. The salt marshes are rich in overwintering wildfowl and wading birds.

Off Aldcar Road, Copford Green, CO6 1DG, Tel: 01206 210488, (4 miles, 7kms)

Celebrated 12th century apsidal church with magnificent colour medieval wall paintings, showing a strong Byzantine influence in content and design as well as technical excellence and lavishness of execution.

Lexden Park, Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 4AG, Tel: 01206 853588, Email, (2 miles, 3kms)

Local nature reserve in Colchester.

Mistley, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 1HB, Tel: 01206 393884, Email, (8 miles, 12kms)

Arts and Crafts workshop with exhibitions. Cafe with home cooked food, cakes, coffee and licensed for alcohol.

9-10 Mason Road, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BX, Tel: 01206 761762, (4 miles, 6kms)

13,000 sq.ft Indoor Adventure Play centre for children up to 12 years (5ft) Giant play frame and Tiny Town, bouncers, ball pools, spook rooms, soft play, toys, 6 meter climbing wall and spaceball thrill ride.

High Street, Nayland, Colchester, Essex, CO6 4JE, (6 miles, 9kms)

Tenpin, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH, Tel: 0871 221 0000, (0.4 miles, 0.7kms)

Tenpin Bowling Alley with licensed, late night bar, games machines and Beach Road Café. Cosmic bowling from 8pm Wed-Sun.

Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1YH, Tel: 01206 282000, Email, (0.4 miles, 0.7kms)

Leisure World Colchester is one of East Anglia's largest sports, leisure, recreation and entertainment venues and offers year round fun for all the family. The leisure pool includes outside river rapids ride, water cannons and flumes.