Wivenhoe is a small town in Essex, England, near the city of Colchester and the Tendring Peninsula. Independent shops and pubs line small, narrow streets and a compact quayside on the tidal River Colne.
Understand
[edit]Wivenhoe ("Wiivnhou") is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Wivenhoe was a port until the late 20th century. Wivenhoe Park, near Colchester, is home to the University of Essex. The town has a population of 7,300.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]1 Wivenhoe is just over an hour from London Liverpool Street station in The City (change for: CEN CIR H&C MET ELI OGD and 
to Stansted Airport and Cambridge).
Greater Anglia operates all trains to Wivenhoe in the early mornings, daytimes and late evenings, but there are no overnight services.
You can also travel by train direct to Wivenhoe from London Stratford (change for: CEN JUB ELI OGD ), Shenfield (change for: ELI and to Southend), Chelmsford, Colchester (change for: to Ipswich and Norwich), Colchester Town, Clacton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze.
By bus
[edit]Routes to Wivenhoe include:
- First Essex Bus S1 from: University of Essex, Colchester Osborne Street, Colchester station (change for:
) - First Essex Bus 87 from: Brightlingsea, University of Essex, Colchester Osborne Street, Colchester station (change for: )
- Hedingham and Chambers 74 from: Clacton, University of Essex, Colchester Stanway Street
By car
[edit]From Colchester, use 
and join B1028 into Wivenhoe town centre.
From London and Chelmsford, exit 
at junction 26 for towards Clacton, through Colchester city centre.
From Ipswich, exit at junction 29 for 
into Colchester city centre. Join eastbound towards Clacton.
From Brightlingsea, leave the town on the B1029. Turn left onto B1027 towards Alresford then follow signs for Wivenhoe.
From Clacton, leave the town on the B1027 towards St Osyth then Alresford, then follow signs for Wivenhoe.
By bike
[edit]Wivenhoe is on National Cycle Network Route 51, maintained by Sustrans. The route is signposted.
The route from Colchester city centre is mainly traffic-free, following the River Colne's northern bank from The Hythe. Route 51 meets Route 1 (Dover, Kent - Tain, Ross-shire, via London, Lee Valley, Norwich and North Norfolk) in Colchester.
The route from Harwich follows mainly minor roads, through Great Oakley and Elmstead Market.
Get around
[edit]
See
[edit]- 1 St Mary's Church, High St. The church dates from 1254 or earlier, with aisles built in the 14th century. The church is usually open for viewing Thursday 2PM-4:30PM, and for 11AM services on Sunday.
Do
[edit]- 1 Wivenhoe Park. A 200 acres (81 hectares) park, with some significant trees including oaks painted by John Constable in 1816. The Colchester campus of the University of Essex occupies part of the park based around some 1960s buildings.
- 2 Wyvernwood, St. Osyth Road Alresford CO7 8AP. An outdoor theme park aimed at children aged 2-12, featuring an Enchanted Lost Kingdom. weekends Feb-Oct and school holidays.
- 3 Cockaynes Wood. 50 acres (20 hectares) nature reserve, which could be reached by walking along the footpath from Ballast Quay.
Buy
[edit]- 1 The Wivenhoe Bookshop, 23 High St, Wivenhoe, CO7 9BE, ☏ +44 1206 824050, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
- 2 The Village Deli and Tearooms, 4 High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9BJ, ☏ +44 1206 822824, [email protected]. W-Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Su 10AM-5PM.
- 3 Wivenhoe Boutique, 8 High Street, Wivenhoe, CO7 9BJ.
Eat
[edit]- 1 The Olive Branch, 1a Station Rd. Syrian vegan cafe
- Trinity Patisserie, 11 High St. W-Su 10AM-4PM, F-Sa 6PM-11PM. Cafe with reservation only evening openings.
Drink
[edit]- 1 The Black Buoy. Pub, dating from 1732, with meals Tu-Su, and two bedrooms (from £110).
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Wivenhoe House. A hotel in a country house built in 1759 by Thomas Reynolds, with a 2012 annex. The hotel is part of the University of Essex hotel school, with students working some shifts. The Park Brasserie is open for lunch and dinner (mains from £20). from £134.
Stay safe
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