How to get here

• National Express coaches run services from around the country to our Colchester Campus including from London and UK airports. Please note, for some journeys you may need to change buses before continuing to your destination.
• First Bus provide most bus services in and around Colchester and the University.
• Hedingham also provide services to the University.
• The Panther X15 service provides services from Harwich to the University.
  
  

There are frequent trains from London Liverpool Street to Colchester (also known as Colchester North). The journey takes just under an hour and you can get a bus or tax from the station to us. Our nearest station is Hythe (Essex) which is a 20-minute walk from campus, train services to this station are less frequent.

• National Rail provide train timetables and fares
• Greater Anglia train accessibility service
• Colchester station access information

There is a taxi rank at Colchester Train Station and in the town centre (High Street). The journey to the University normally takes about 10-20 minutes.

• Taxi services in Colchester
• Airport Express provides airport transfers to and from the University

Wheelchair users

There a number of wheelchair accessible taxis in Colchester. We recommend that you call to check availability and suitability before travelling.

Pick-up and drop-off points

• North Towers taxi point
• South Courts taxi point
• Under podia (disabled travellers only), using the Network Centre lift to access central campus

London Stansted, Heathrow and Gatwick airports

Our campus is not far from Stansted Airport, the quickest way to travel is by National Express or there is a local bus x133 but this can take longer. Both usually stop in Colchester town so you will need to get a bus or taxi from there to campus.

If you are arriving at Heathrow or Gatwick, the best option is to get the National Express coach. But, if you can't do this, then you'll need to take a train to London Liverpool Street Station, and then another train to Colchester. Once in Colchester, you can get a bus, or taxi to the campus.

From Gatwick to London Liverpool Street

From Heathrow (all terminals) to London Liverpool Street

Arrivals Day coach service

If you are arriving at Heathrow or Gatwick you can take advantage of our airport transfer coach service but you’ll need to book your seat in advance. This service operates on Arrivals Day only, Sunday 30 September 2018.

• Book your arrivals day transfer

You can also book tickets for a return journey from Colchester Campus to London Heathrow or London Gatwick airports.

• Book a return transfer

Harwich International Port

We are 30 minutes by car from the port. You can get to our campus by car or train, or by the 

Our postcode is CO4 3SQ, however when you arrive in Colchester, follow road signs to the University (off the A133) to access to our main visitor car parks, which is via the B1027, Colchester Road.

• Road route to Colchester Campus (.pdf).

Parking

• Parking for students
• Parking for staff

Parking for visitors is available in:

• Multi-storey car park (main visitor car park)
• Valley car park
• Car park B
• North Towers car park
• Wivenhoe House/Constable Building car park
• Innovation Centre car park

Parking charges 

Multi-storey car park

Parking charges are managed by automatic number plate recognition. Before you return to your car, enter your vehicle registration number at one of the pay machines in the car park stairwells. The multi-storey car park also has electric vehicle charging points.

Car Park B, Valley and North Towers car parks

Visit a pay station on arrival, enter your vehicle registration number and follow the on-screen instructions. You won't get a ticket to display as the system uses automatic number plate recognition, but you can request a receipt if you need one.

Pay station locations

• Multi-storey car park
• Valley Car Park
• Innovation Centre
• Essex Business School (in the foyer)
• North Towers causeway (entrance to main campus)
• Outside the Information Centre on Square 3

If you fail to pay on arrival you may receive a parking enforcement notice.

Parking costs

• Up to 2 hours: £2.40
• Up to 3 hours: £3.10
• Up to 4 hours: £3.50
• Up to 6 hours: £5.70
• Up to 9 hours: £8.60

Parking charges apply from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays and Christmas Day. The pay and go machines take coins, notes and debit/credit cards. Unused tickets are not refundable.

Wivenhoe House and Constable Building car parks

Wivenhoe House Hotel car park is reserved for hotel guests. Parking permits should be displayed and are available from the hotel reception. A row of visitor parking in front of the Constable Building is reserved for the use of tenant visitors.

Motorcycles

Motorcyclists can park free of charge in the designated motorcycle spaces.

Accessible parking

There are spaces available for disabled drivers in all the main car parks.

• Valley car park (south campus) - three designated spaces (nearest to central campus).
• Multi-storey car park (south campus) - ground floor disabled parking space.
• North Towers car park (north campus) - two designated spaces and ten spaces adjacent residential houses
• Car park B (south campus)
• Constable building
• Wivenhoe House
• Three visitor spaces are reserved under the podia (the service road which runs underneath the University) for visitors requiring closer access. Spaces are limited so if you require a space, contact us in plenty of time.

Visitor parking charges apply and payment can be made at the pay stations (see above).

If you have any problems paying to park please contact the Estate Management Helpdesk. Please ensure you display your blue badge when parking in a designated space.