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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. |
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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Or stay in Wivenhoe's
centre, where the shopkeepers will welcome you with the personal service
that you can only find in small shops.
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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
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
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.
.JPG)
Wivenhoe Waterfront
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