High Woods Country Park Circular Walk
Essex
High Woods Country Park covers around 300 acres on the northern edge of Colchester, bringing together ancient semi natural woodland, restored meadows and a lake within Britain's oldest recorded town, and a dog can be off lead under control across most of the woodland and meadow here. This 2.4km circuit uses tarmac and compacted gravel paths around the lake and visitor centre before continuing on woodland and meadow paths that are more earthen and uneven, with gentle undulation rather than any real climbing. The park brings together several older woods, including Cymbeline Meadows and Highwoods Country Park's ancient coppice, and is one of the largest green spaces in Colchester.
This is a dog friendly walk, and the park is extremely popular for dog walking, with plenty of woodland and meadow where dogs can be off lead under control. Keep dogs closer to you near the lake, where waterfowl gather, and around the play area and cafe when the park is busy with cyclists and other visitors. There is no livestock here, and water sources for dogs are provided alongside the lake. Woodland stretches give shade for a dog in summer. Multiple car parks serve different entrances, including Turner Road, Chanterelle Drive and Brinkley Lane, and there is a cafe, toilets and dog waste bins around the park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 50 min
- Walk Type
- Lake, Woodland, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe, toilets, dog waste bins and water sources around the lake.
- Parking
- Pay and display car parks off Turner Road, Chanterelle Drive and Brinkley Lane.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to High Woods Country Park Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in EssexFrequently Asked Questions
Is High Woods Country Park Circular Walk dog friendly?
High Woods Country Park is extremely popular with dog walkers and earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness. The park has no livestock, provides water sources for dogs alongside the lake, and has dog waste bins dotted around — making it a well-set-up destination for a day out with your dog.
Can dogs be off lead at High Woods Country Park Circular Walk?
Dogs can be off lead under control across most of the woodland and meadow areas throughout the park. It's worth keeping them a little closer near the lake, where waterfowl gather, and around the play area and cafe when things get busy with cyclists and other visitors.
What should I know before visiting High Woods Country Park Circular Walk with my dog?
The 2.4km circuit mixes tarmac and compacted gravel paths near the lake and visitor centre with more earthen, uneven woodland and meadow paths — nothing too challenging, with gentle undulation rather than any real climbing. There are multiple car parks at different entrances off Turner Road, Chanterelle Drive and Brinkley Lane, plus a cafe, toilets and dog waste bins on site, so it's well set up for a comfortable visit.
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