Tea & Tour of the house

Wivenhoe House’s fascinating history, stretching back nearly 260 years, will be explored at what promises to be an entertaining afternoon tea and tour on Wednesday 13 June.

Local history experts Claire Partner and Ian Baalham, will be guiding us through the history of this beautiful Grade II listed building, originally commissioned to be the home of the Rebow family.

Claire and Ian, who are both members of the Institute of Tourist Guiding and Guild of The Registered Tourist Guides are partners in Guide East.  They lead private tours around Colchester, delving back into the action-packed history of the town, originally the first Roman Capital of Britain and the oldest recorded town in the country.

Claire said: “We are really looking forward to unearthing the stories that make up Wivenhoe House’s history.  With previous visitors including Winston Churchill and John Constable, it would be wonderful if the walls could talk!”

Since Wivenhoe House was commissioned in 1759 it has enjoyed  life as an elegant family home, been requisitioned in war time, has a permanent place in history in John Constable’s 1816 painting of Wivenhoe Park and now enjoys life as a luxury four star hotel.

Ian said:” Our tours of Colchester aim to be informative and entertaining and we hope that guests will enjoy our feast of fascinating facts about Wivenhoe House after a delicious afternoon tea.”

How to book

Tickets can be purchased directly by phone or email with no commission. Tickets can also be purchased online however Eventbrite Fees will apply.

WHERE WE ARE

find us, however you travel
By car:

Whether approaching Wivenhoe House from London and the South or Ipswich and the North via the A12, take the exit marked Colchester (A133). Follow the A133 towards Clacton, ignore the entrance to the Knowledge Gateway, continue along the A133 then take the B1028 for Wivenhoe before turning right into Boundary Road, then right again into Park Road. The entrance for Wivenhoe House is shared with the University of Essex but Park Road leads you through Wivenhoe Park and you will be able to see the glorious house from the road.

For Sat Nav please use CO4 3FA.

Download our PDF Map

By train:

Colchester station, Colchester Town station, Wivenhoe station and Hythe stations are all between 10-15 minutes from Wivenhoe House by car. Trains run between London (Liverpool Street) and Colchester station every 10-20 minutes. The journey takes around an hour. Also connect with Colchester from Norwich, Ipswich, Felixstowe & Harwich. Some trains from London (Liverpool Street) also stop at Wivenhoe Station. When travelling from the Clacton/Walton direction, alight at Wivenhoe or Hythe Stations.


By plane:

Stansted airport is approximately 45 minutes from Wivenhoe House by car. Helicopter pad coordinates are 603200/223900.