Castle Park is pleased to offer a range of summer educational activities to visitors throughout the warmer months to allow visitors a chance to engage with this fantastic green space in the heart of Colchester.
A series of talks and tours will give you a rare insight into the history and wildlife of the site, with offerings for children and adults alike. You can also explore Castle Park with our free self-led history and wildlife trails.
One of the highlights for children this August is the creative two-day Summer Performance Workshop. Spaces are limited so book early!
Tour of the Wildlife Garden
Fri 28 May, noon to 12.30pm
Meet at the Bandstand
Join one of the Rangers for a short tour of the Wildlife Garden and get practical tips on improving your own garden for wildlife.
For families
Cost: Free
Dawn Chorus
Sat 29 May, 6am to 7.30am
Meet at Cowdray Crescent park gates by the High Street War Memorial
Get up early and join a local bird expert to help survey the birds of the Park. Bring binoculars if possible.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Life on the River
Sat 29 May, 9am to 10.30am
Meet at the Bandstand
Join an Essex Wildlife Trust Volunteer River Warden for a walk exploring life along the river in Castle Park.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Castle Park's Historic Landscape
Sun 30 May, 11am to noon
Meet at Cowdray Crescent park gates by the High Street War Memorial
Join the former Park Manager as he leads a captivating tour around the Park and shares a lifetime's worth of research into its history.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Dawn Chorus
Fri 4 June, 6am to 7.30am
Meet at Cowdray Crescent park gates by the High Street War Memorial
Get up early and join a local bird expert to help survey the birds of the Park. Bring binoculars if possible.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Life on the River
Fri 4 June, 9am to 10.30am
Meet at the Bandstand
Join an Essex Wildlife Trust Volunteer River Warden for a walk exploring life along the river in Castle Park
For families
Cost: £5.50
Castle Park Bioblitz
Fri 4 June, 10am to 3pm
Meet in Upper Park, near the playpark
Join the Ranger team and local experts to survey the Park's wildlife as part of a community surveying day to record the area's biodiversity.
For families
Cost: Free
Castle Park's Historic Landscape
Sat 3 July, 11am to 12.30pm
Meet at Cowdray Crescent park gates by the High Street War Memorial
Join the former Park Manager as he leads a captivating tour around the Park and shares a lifetime's worth of research into its history.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Tour of the Wildlife Garden
Weds 14 July, noon to 12.30pm
Meet at the Bandstand
Join one of the Rangers for a short tour of the Wildlife Garden and get practical tips on improving your own garden for wildlife.
For families
Cost: Free
Bees, Butterflies and other insects
Sat 17 July, 2pm to 3pm
Meet at Cowdray Crescent park gates by the High Street War Memorial
Join Prof. Ted Benton on an informative guided walk around Castle Park, identifying insects and habitats as you go. This event may be cancelled if the weather is inclement.
For families
Cost: £3 contribution per person to CNHS
Castle Park's Historic Landscape
Sat 24 July, 11am to 12.30pm
Meet at Cowdray Crescent park gates by the High Street War Memorial
Join the former Park Manager as he leads a captivating tour around the Park and shares a lifetime's worth of research into its history.
For families
Cost: £5.50 25
Bat Walk
Thurs 29 July, 8.45pm to 9.45pm
Meet at the Castle Park Ranger Station
Join an Essex Bat Group guide on a walk around Castle Park identifying different bat species using bat detectors. Please bring a torch.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Bat Walk
Fri 6 August, 8.30pm to 9.30pm
Meet at the Castle Park Ranger Station
Join an Essex Bat Group guide on a walk around Castle Park identifying different bat species using bat detectors. Please bring a torch.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Minibeast Hunt
Tues 10 August, 11am to 12.30pm
Meet at the Bandstand
Come and learn out about the minibeasts you might find in your local area through minibeast hunts and pond dipping adventures with the Colchester Zoo education team and Castle Park Rangers.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Minibeast Hunt
Tues 17 August, 11am to 12.30pm
Meet at the Bandstand
Come and learn out about the minibeasts you might find in your local area through minibeast hunts and pond dipping adventures with the Colchester Zoo education team and Castle Park Rangers.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Ranger Walk - Cancelled due to staff sickness
Weds 18 August, 11am to noon
Meet at the Bandstand
Join one of the Castle Park Rangers for a tour of the parks' history, trees and wildlife.
For families
Cost: £5.50
Summer Performance Workshop - Cancelled due to staff sickness
Tues 24 and Weds 25 August, 10am to 4pm
Meet at Castle Park Lower Bowls Green
Let the kids get creative with this two-day performance workshop based on the history of the local area. Attendees will be actively involved in developing a script and songs ready for friends and family to attend a showcase performance on the afternoon of the second day.
For ages 7 to 10
Cost: £35