The 10 Best Outdoor Activities in Colchester, England

Self-guided cycling holidays and day bike hire. Come and explore beautful Constable Country, historic medieval villages, and the Heritage Coast from our base on the Essex/Suffolk border just north of Colchester.

Here at Mersea Island Watersports we are Mersea Islands's first and only dedicated windsurfing and paddleboard centre. We are based right next to the water with a launch ramp a stones throw from our door. This gives us access to the water at all times. Being based around the side of the island we are fairly sheltered making it the perfect place to learn windsurfing or paddleboarding.

Sailing tours and river cruise experiences with accommodation, covering the rivers of the Blackwater, Colne and Crouch based in West Mersea. Our season runs 1 March to 31 October.

Reflective Adventures Private, guided experiences including kayaking, paddle boarding, wild swimming, nature spotting and more. Fully bespoke, awe inspiring adventures among nature. Operating Monday and Tuesday, throughout the year. Pricing - 2hr experience - £50 per person 4hr experience - £80 per person (Child rate available depending upon activity)

Established in 1967, Copford Cricket Club is one of the most picturesque village cricket clubs in the Country. It is set within the grounds of the historic Copford Hall with ample parking and our famous oak tree on the edge of the square. We have two senior Saturday teams and an excellent colts section ranging from 5-16 years with experienced coaches to meet all needs.

Colchester Zoo is constantly developing and has won many awards for its work. With over 270 species to see, set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo is well worth a visit. As you walk around the zoo there's plenty of play areas to try out including the indoor soft play area Jungle Tumble with a section for under 3s and all new play equipment where the kids can release their wild side! New enclosures include a walk through enclosure with butterflies and another with Rainbow Lorikeets offering visitors a chance to feed them a treat of nectar. Plus there's 'Bears of the Rising Sun', a state of the art enclosure which houses two beautiful sun bears , Jo Jo and Srey Ya. You can also come face to face with Komodo Dragons, see white rhino, giraffes, ostrich and kudu roaming together at Kingdom of the Wild and walk underwater through the 24m tunnel at the Playa Patagonia sealion pool. Learn more about the animals and see them up close by watching one of the 50 daily displays. You even get the fantastic opportunity to feed the elephants and giraffes yourself and take a ride on the 'Lost Madagascar Express' road train! Don't forget to pop into the discovery centre and have a go at handling some unusual bugs or get your face painted and transform yourself into your favourite animal!

Leisure World Tiptree shares its facilities with the local Thurstable School and Sports College and is open to the public 7 days a week. The centre boasts many excellent facilities including a 3rd Generation football pitch with floodlights, fitness suite and a climbing wall. Many different clubs such as football, badminton and an internationally recognised rollerskating club (TARSC) operate out of the site. There are fitness classes, children's coaching courses and adult sports sessions. Facilities can be booked on a pay and play basis and fitness membership options are available. Equipment can be hired for a number of sports if you do not have your own.

Our Zorbing venue overlooks the Stour Estuary on the Essex and Suffolk border in the village of Bradfield. Harness zorbing and mountain boarding plus land and water zorbing parties.We are the nearest zorbing venue to Clacton, Colchester, Chelmsford, Ipswich, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds, Brentwood, Braintree, Billericay. Essex and Suffolk's premier zorbing venue.