On the Quay is the Nottage Maritime Institute, the River Colne’s nautical academy. Classes here teach students about knots, skippering and even how to build a boat! It is open to visitors on Sundays in the summer.

Nottage Institute

The Woods

 A little further along from the Quay, are Wivenhoe Woods, vivid with bluebells in Spring, invite walkers to stroll along their paths, with here and there a grassy glade set with tables for those thoughtful enough to have brought a picnic.

The main entrances to the woods are via King George V Playing Fields and at the end of Rosabelle Avenue. 

The Wivenhoe Trail. This is a cycle-way between Colchester and Wivenhoe, coming out in the Wivenhoe railway car park.

It is also used by walkers and accessible for wheelchairs. 

Seats along the way are provided and there are pleasant views across the marshes to Rowhedge.

From there you can easily walk to West Quay and along the old waterfront. 

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Walk along West Quay and find the old dry dock 

The River barrier

 On the down-stream side of Wivenhoe, a path winds along the ever-widening river on its way to the estuary. Here you can see the Tidal Surge Barrier, one of only two in the country. 

If you still have your picnic with you as you stroll along the riverbank path, stop at the small beach for lunch, continue on through Alresford Creek and return to Wivenhoe for an evening meal.

Take the Ferry! Wivenhoe’s great maritime history is full of grand yachts, fearless seamen and even ruthless smugglers. A ferry service was re-launched by volunteers in 1992, operating two hours either side of high water at weekends during the summer.

The Ferry, operated by the Wivenhoe Ferry Trust, and capable of holding 9 passengers and a couple of bikes, operates across the River Colne between the Quay at Wivenhoe, Fingringhoe and Rowhedge.

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The University of Essex

Wivenhoe is the home of the University of Essex, in whose grounds visitors are welcome to stroll. The campus sports facilities may be used by the public (to book these, ring 01206 873250) and the arts are well served with a theatre, art gallery and wide-ranging programme of musical events.
Or stay in Wivenhoe’s centre, where the shopkeepers will welcome you with the personal service that you can only find in small shops. The High Street

Wivenhoe For Children

Bring the children with you, for they will surely enjoy the well-equipped Play Area beside the free car park at the heart of the village. This Play Area is enclosed to keep out dogs – further up the adjoining field there is an exercise area for them. Older children will enjoy a game on the field, and there are public toilets in the car park (including a disabled toilet which needs a Radar key to open it.)

Eating Out

Many of Wivenhoe’s pubs serve excellent meals – the best idea is to try them all on a succession of visits! There are also two fine restaurants at the bottom of the High Street, an Indian restaurant further up and a Chinese restaurant at the top of the High Street. And at Vine Parade and in East Street there are good fish and chip shops too.  For more details, see the Pubs and Restaurants

Where To Stay– Accommodation

Regular Wivenhoe Events:

  • May Fayre : last Spring Bank Holiday in May
  • June Market and Art on the Railings : 1st Saturday in June
  • Open Gardens Weekend: June or July
  • Wivenhoe Sailing Club Regatta : July
  • Wivenhoe Town Regatta : July or August  
  • Horticultural Show : 1st or 2nd Saturday in September
  • Christmas Fayre : 1st Thursday in December

See Wivenhoe Diary for details of all events

How To Get To Wivenhoe– See How to get Here

For those coming by car, there is a free parking in the village car park, opposite the Greyhound public house, towards the bottom of the village.   

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Wivenhoe Waterfront