Colchester Castle Park Bee Hive Trail and Clacton Pier

While on holiday we promised the children that we would take them to Clacton Pier for rides one evening when the wristbands would be cheaper so that they would get their money's worth. It was another beautiful sunny day so we decided to stop off in Colchester for a few hours beforehand and head to Castle Park where I knew there was a fabulous play area for the children. Hubby also found out online that the local Cubs had a bee hive trail running in the park and you know how much we love trails! 

It's a long time since I have been to Colchester so we weren't sure where to park so we followed the first signs we saw and ended up by the train station which is where we discovered the gorgeous St Botolph's Priory ruins on our way into the town centre. 

It seemed to take forever to get to the park and it felt like we walked miles- hubby & I thought we needed to walk through the town-but when we left the park and saw a sign for the rail station we then found out that we had been less than 10 minutes away, straight down one road!

After picking up a trail sheet from Hollytrees Museum in the park we started our trail. Each hive was marked on a handy map so that we didn't miss any but it was rather nice to just wander around the park.   A small brass plaque is located on each hive with fascinating bee facts which relate to a number of questions on the trails sheet.

Molly's so good with Harry. Not many 12 year old girls can be bothered to play with their 6 year old brother.

The park was absolutely awash with colour and I can see why it was very busy, especially on such a sunny day. 

As soon as Harry spotted the boating lake he was keen to have a go, especially after the success of his pedal ride in Maldon. The boats were just £2 each for 15 minutes, which we thought was a bargain.

After handing in our trail sheet we went back to the car for the drive to Clacton and some lunch by the seaside. Hubby's parents were meeting us later in the day so we started walking along the seafront towards the car park where they were going to park. There was a lovely sea breeze and it was so refreshing. 

Harry was really pleased to spot this little fella on the railings.

Walking back towards the pier we took the path at the top of the cliffs and came across some more amazingly colourful gardens. They really like their bright colours in Essex! I had never taken much notice of the gardens before, probably because we used to walk along the lower promenade by the beach. Next time we go that way I'd like to spend a bit more time up there walking through the gardens.

5pm finally arrived and the children got their wristbands. They couldn't get on the rides quick enough! 

Charlie went on a few rides with Harry and then went off with Molly on the bigger rides. Harry can't wait to be tall enough to go on the 'scary rides'!

I can never get a non-fuzzy photo of the dodgems!

It was really quiet so there were no long queues for the rides. On most of Harry's he got off and ran out of the exit straight to the entrance to scan his wristband again! The young lad operating Harry's favourite ride was brilliant with him and really engaging. He chuckled every time Harry ran on and stuck his thumbs up as the ride went around. He even gave Harry a Freddo after he'd had a little fall-no doubt caused by being in such a hurry to get on! Harry thought he had a friend for life.

After nearly 4 hours of many, many rides they were all starting to flag and it was time to go home. They were all really good when I told them they had one more ride before leaving and they left without fuss. It was a thoroughly enjoyable but tiring day out.