Colchester spectator guide

Accessing the Northern Gateway Sports Park

Cycle

Why not cycle to the Sports Park? There are a number of routes to choose from depending on what part of town you are coming from.

Click here to explore route map.

Park and Ride

Visitors can also access the Sports Park using Colchester’s Park & Ride from the town centre, railway station or hospital stop on the Northern Approach Road.

Walk

The Sports Park is three miles from the town centre.

From the town you can walk up Mile End Road and onto the Sports Park via Boxted Road and the Park and Ride site.

Train

The Sports Hub is 2.3 miles from Colchester North Station and 3.4 miles from Colchester Town Station.

There are regular services to Colchester from stations along the London, Norwich and Tendring lines.

The Park and Ride bus can be used for onwards travel from the station to the Sports Park.

Bus

Visitors can use the Park and Ride Bus (no need to park) as the service stop is located next door to the Sports Park.

Buses run every 15 minutes from the Park and Ride to the Town Centre stopping at Middleborough, Colchester Station and Colchester Hospital

07:00 – 19:00 (Monday to Friday) every 15 mins / four buses per hour

There is also the Panther 80/80A service that stops on Boxted Road and provides a service between Colchester town centre and Dedham. There are four services a day Monday to Saturday.

Parking

For parking on the day, visitors to the Northern Gateway Sports Park will be directed to use Colchester’s Park & Ride. The cost per car is £3 and visitors must enter the code 737944 for ‘Park Only’ on the MiPermit app.

Click here for more information on MiPermit.

Accessing Colchester town centre

Train

There are two train stations in Colchester. The main station is North Station, a 20-minute walk from the Town Hall and guided by the Fixing the Link walking route.

Colchester Town Station located in the Town Centre is slightly closer, less than a 10-minute walk along Queens Street and then left onto the High Street.

Bus

Colchester Bus Station is located on Osbourne Street in the Town Centre and runs regular services locally and regionally. There is also a Park and Ride from the A12 at junction 28.

Parking
The closest town centre car parks are located at Priory Street, CO1 2QE  and St Marys Car Park, CO3 3AA

Click here for town centre car parks information.

Contactless payments can be made with the MiPermit app.

Click here form ore info on how to use MiPermit. 

A rolling road closure will be in operation on Friday 8 October to facilitate the safe running of the stage.

The temporary closures are scheduled to commence between the hours of 10.45am and run until the race has left Colchester. The following lengths of road will be affected:

Northern Gateway, Colchester

A137 Parsons Heath, Fox Street, A137.

Ardleigh

B1029 Station Road, B1029 Frating Road.

Access for emergency vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure.

Race day events at the Northern Gateway Sports Park

The race starts at Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park, the fantastic new 76-acre site which provides both indoor and outdoor sport and leisure activities.

Visitors will be welcome from 9am to enjoy this unique event.

Colchester’s new Northern Gateway Sports Park, with its one-mile floodlit cycle track, will give visitors an opportunity to see the riders and support teams prepare for stage and warm up around the track; then watch as the Mayor of Colchester waves the starting flag to see the riders set off.

Visitors can be part of the action too!  British Cycling is inviting women and girls to take part in a HSBC Breeze ride between 1pm and 4pm.

Designed to encourage more women to ride bikes for fun, it offers free access to ride the track once the Women’s Teams have departed – bikes can be hired for £1 an hour.

The event also kicks off a new cycle re-cycling programme from Colchester Borough Council. From 8 – 31 October residents can donate their unwanted bikes which will be repaired and re-distributed to local community groups in need. Bikes can be donated at the Sports Park on 8 October between 12 and 5pm – and everyone who donates will receive a voucher to use the cycle track or pump track for only £1.

Also at the Sports Park, visitors can browse an array for stalls including from the East of England Co-op; Clean Air for Colchester; Colchester Borough Council’s eCargo bikes for businesses and residents and Re-Cycle which receives used bikes in the UK and donates them to trusted partners in Africa.

Visitors can also enjoy coffee, pastries and other refreshments at Paddy and Scott’s café  or grab a bacon butty and cuppa (among other things) from the outdoor catering wagon.

The Sports Park will welcome visitors from 9am and all are encouraged to arrive before 11am. The race begins at 11.30am.

Cheer on the riders through Colchester Town Centre

If you can’t make the start of the race at Northern Gateway Sports Park, another prime location to experience the race is at Colchester’s historic high street from 11.30am. Spectators can also experience the hustle and bustle of market day – with extra stalls from cycling organisations and local groups such as Community 360, plus an array of popular street-food stalls.

Combine your visit with a walk through Colchester Castle Park, and visit Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum or Natural History Museum.

Click here for more information.

Additional events

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Charter Hall, 7.30pm

From the writers of hit sketch show Hormonal Housewives comes this brand-new musical comedy that’s jam packed with your favourite night-out anthems.

Click here to buy tickets.

Street Tag

Street Tag turns physical activity into a game by converting walking, running, and cycling into Street Tag points. The game transforms our streets and parks into a giant virtual playground.

Whether you are looking for a free activity for the whole family or want to have fun while improving your fitness levels, you can take part in teams or go it alone to top the leader board and win prizes.

Street Tag has been brought to you by Colchester Borough Council.

Click here for more information.

Walk or cycle the Colchester Orbital

The Colchester Orbital is a 15-mile circular walk and cycle route around the edge of the town. It connects a network of footpaths, cycle paths and green spaces; and is a great way for people to enjoy the countryside.

The Colchester Orbital project was launched in 2018 under the Walk Colchester initiative. It is part of the Jane’s Walk programme, an international initiative for walks led by local people on local themes honouring the legacy of the urbanist, writer and activist Jane Jacobs.

The project has been led by members of Walk Colchester, Colchester Ramblers, Colchester Natural History Society, Myland Community Council and Essex Bridleways Association, with support from Cycle Colchester.

Click here to download the new and improved maps of Colchester Orbital.

Want to combine your visit to the race with an overnight stay in Colchester?

The George Hotel

With 500 years of history, few hotels have many a story to tell as this one. The Women’s Tour passes the location of the iconic George in Colchester High Street. The hotel has undergone a full and extensive refurbishment and is now restored to its former glory.

Click here for more information.

St Nicholas Hotel

The former St Nicholas House and church has been completely refurbished, revealing itself as a stylish 44-bedroom hotel set in the heart of Colchester and along the route of the Women’s Tour through the High Street.

Click here for more information.

The Red Lion Hotel

Brook Red Lion Hotel is situated in a historical Grade I listed building dating back to 1465. Located in the busy town centre of Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, Brook Red Lion Hotel is one of the oldest inns in the area and a superb Colchester hotel. The hotel provides three-star accommodation in a relaxing environment with individually furnished bedrooms, and the central location in Colchester means London is less than an hour away, making it a great choice of the hotels in Essex.

Click here for more information.

Click here for a full list of accommodation within the BID Zone.

North Hill Hotel

The North Hill Hotel and Green Room located in the heart of Colchester. Visit our historic town and join us for a relaxing stay in our boutique hotel, which can be found just off of Colchester High Street. Choose from one of 16 beautiful rooms and take a break from exploring Britain’s oldest town.

Click here for more information.

Greyfriars

Greyfriars is an exquisite, Michelin recommended, luxury hotel with superb restaurant and lounge bars, opened in 2015. Beautifully appointed with the customer’s comfort and convenience in mind, GreyFriars offers 5* service, comfortable lounges, cosy Club rooms, larger Classic rooms and spacious luxury suites.

Click here for more information.

Colchester Boutique Hotel

Colchester Boutique Hotel is a beautiful Georgian building on Colchester’s historic North Hill. Walking through our doors is like stepping back in time. Our vintage decor and elegant surroundings, provide the perfect setting for you to enjoy a relaxing time with us.

Click here for more information.

A staycation guide is also available here.

The majority of restaurants in the town centre can be found on the In Colchester website.

Click here to visit the pubs and restaurant guide.