Browsing local attractions within 8 miles of High Woods Country Park

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, (1 miles, 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, (6 miles, 10kms)

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

Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZ, Tel: 01206 322127, Email, (5 miles, 8kms)

The Home and Studios of Sir Alfred Munnings, PPRA.

Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex, CO3 0SL, Tel: 01206 331292, Email, (4 miles, 7kms)

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, (2 miles, 3kms)

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.

The Walls, Essex, Tel: 01223 582700, Email, (8 miles, 13kms)

The remains of a church designed by Robert Adam and built in 1776, unusual in having towers at both the east and west ends.

East Bergholt Place, East Bergholt, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6UP, Tel: 01206 299224, Email, (7 miles, 11kms)

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

Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO5 9US, Tel: 01206 330784, Email, (7 miles, 12kms)

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.

Parkeston, Essex, CO1 2PG, Tel: 01255 242000, (1 miles, 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, (1 miles, 2kms)

firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.

Church Road, Layer-de-la-Haye, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0EU, Tel: 01206 738172, (6 miles, 9kms)

Conservation centre run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, at a site of international importance for winter wildfowl. Nesting cormorants, common terns and nightingales. Nature trails and bird hides. Shop selling gifts, optics and wildlife books.

New Road, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex, CO11 1ER, Tel: 01206 393433, (8 miles, 13kms)

Children can play among a menagerie of rescued animals and birds which roam freely in 25 acres of countryside overlooking the Stour Valley.

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

Local nature reserve in Colchester.

Gosbeacks Rd, Colchester, CO3 4RN, Tel: 01206 282931, Email, (3 miles, 5kms)

The Archaeological Park is one of the most significant Iron Age and Roman sites in the country. Enjoy a walk and discover the highlights of the site with the interpretation boards around the Park.

Boxted Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5HH, Tel: 01787 464280, Email, (1 miles, 2kms)

We are a dynamic group of over 30 professional artists working from our studios in disused farm buildings on the rural outskirts of Colchester. We have a gallery on sight that hosts a full programme of exhibitions throughout the year.

Old Ipswich Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6HU, Tel: 01206 231390, Email, (3 miles, 5kms)

Gnome Magic is an unusual treat. Enjoy the delightful garden which blends into an amazing wood where the growing number of 500 gnomes and their friends live. Guaranteed to bring a little sunshine.

Colchester Central Library, 21 Trinity Square, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JB, Tel: 01206 245900, Email, (1 miles, 2kms)

Exhibiting in an Essex library is a great way to get your artwork shown to a large audience, many of whom would not normally go to an art gallery or museum.