Castle Park
🏟 Playground & park · Town Centre, Colchester
Castle Park
Colchester's flagship Victorian park by the Castle, with a brand-new Roman-themed inclusive playground, a cafe, museums, gardens and the River Colne.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open daily from early morning. Closing times vary by season: 5pm in January, February and late October to December; 6:15pm in March and early October; and 9pm from April to September. Toilets close an hour before the park. · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
🗺️ Show map ▾
Address: High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UN
Plus Code: 9F32VWR4+M8
About Castle Park
Castle Park is Colchester's best-known public park, a 25-hectare Victorian green space run free of charge by Colchester City Council and formally opened on 20 October 1892. Laid out around Colchester Castle and the Hollytrees Mansion in the heart of the town, it holds evidence of around 2,000 years of history, from Roman remains to the Victorian gardens that shape it today. In spring 2026 the park reopened a brand-new playground, chosen by public vote, built around three themed zones celebrating local heritage: a Roman Adventure with a bespoke castle play structure, a Mersea Island area with a ship structure and beach-inspired features, and a Jungle Safari zone. The playground was designed so children of all abilities can play together and includes the city's only publicly accessible wheelchair swing, a wheelchair-friendly trampoline, an accessible roundabout and seesaw, and sensory sand play. Beyond the playground, families find the Castle Museum, Hollytrees Museum, a boating lake, ornamental gardens, a cricket ground and the River Colne, plus the Castle Park Cafe and Changing Places facilities. A varied programme of shows, concerts and festivals runs through the year, making the park a dependable free day out whatever the season.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Colchester Castle and Castle Museum
- Hollytrees Museum
- Castle Park Cafe
- Changing Places facilities
- cricket ground
- boating lake and River Colne
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Parking: No dedicated car park; public car parking is available nearby in Colchester town centre.
- Toilets on site
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: The new playground is designed so children of all abilities can play together, with ramped play units, the city's only publicly accessible wheelchair swing, a wheelchair-friendly trampoline, and a roundabout and seesaw designed for wheelchair users. Changing Places facilities are available behind the Castle Park Cafe.
- Dogs: Dogs are allowed in the Lower Park under close control but are not permitted in the Upper Park unless they are service dogs.
🧒 Ages & play
- bespoke Roman castle play structure
- Mersea Island ship play structure
- jungle safari animal-themed play
- ramped play unit
- wheelchair swing
- wheelchair-friendly trampoline
- accessible roundabout and seesaw
- sand play and sensory tactile panels
📍 Nearby places to play
- Old Heath Recreation Ground · approx 0.9 miles · Old Heath
- High Woods Country Park · approx 1.3 miles · Highwoods
- King George V Playing Field · approx 2.4 miles · Lexden
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Castle Park in Colchester free to visit?
Yes. Castle Park is a public park run by Colchester City Council and entry is completely free, though the Castle Museum charges admission.
Is there a children's playground at Castle Park?
Yes. A brand-new playground opened in spring 2026 with Roman castle, Mersea Island ship and jungle safari themed zones, plus inclusive equipment including a wheelchair swing.
What are the opening times for Castle Park?
The park opens daily from early morning. Closing times vary by season, from 5pm in winter to 9pm from April to September.
Is there parking at Castle Park?
There is no dedicated car park, but public car parking is available nearby in Colchester town centre, a short walk from the main High Street entrance.
Is the Castle Park playground accessible for children with disabilities?
Yes. It was designed so children of all abilities can play together and includes the city's only publicly accessible wheelchair swing, a wheelchair-friendly trampoline, and an accessible roundabout and seesaw, with Changing Places facilities nearby.