Travel to Colchester Hospital
Our address
Colchester Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL.
01206 747 474
Our multi-million-pound investment programme to build state-of-the-art facilities at Colchester and Ipswich hospitals for treatment and care will significantly improve healthcare for local people.
We know the number of car parking spaces on each hospital site has reduced because of these new buildings. We also know that because of the increased demand for our services, car parking has become extremely limited.
At peak times of the day, it is unlikely that you will find a parking space, so we would encourage you to find alternatives to parking in our car parks – if you can.
We have free 30 minute drop off zones where you can be dropped off and collected after your appointment. There are also very convenient park and ride services, serving both Colchester and Ipswich hospitals.
The buses run at regular times and using park and ride is less expensive than parking in our car parks.
Read more information about park and ride and getting to all ESNEFT hospital sites.
Colchester Hospital Accessibility information from AccessAble (Opens in a new window)
Colchester Hospital map – ESNEFT Document library
Getting to Colchester Hospital
Park and Ride – Colchester
The Park and Ride is based at Cuckoo Farm Way, Colchester, just off junction 28 of the A12 (CO4 5JA).
There are lots of spaces and it is just one stop to the hospital. The bus stops on Northern Approach Road and from there it is a short walk to the main site along a signed, dedicated hospital pathway.
An adult day ticket costs £3, a child day fare (under 18) is £1 and under fives travel for free.
If you have an appointment at the hospital, you and an accompanying person can use the service for £1.50 each return. Just show the voucher at the bottom of your appointment letter to your driver.
By bus
There are bus stops in the hospital grounds, on Turner Road and on Northern Way.
Buses that stop outside the main doors to the hospital are S1, S2, 86, 68, 75, 84, 84b, 8, Harwich Hopper, Clacton Hopper.
Buses that stop on Turner Road outside the hospital are S1, S2, 8, 68, 8, 80, 81, 81a, 84, 84b,93, 93a, x93
First Bus timetables and routes on the First website (Opens in a new window).
Arriva timetables and routes on the Arriva website (Opens in a new window).
The Colchester Hospital Hopper service is for any patient attending Colchester Hospital. You must book your place in advance by phoning 01255 436 962. The Hopper covers Holland on Sea, Clacton, and Jaywick
Colchester Hospital Hopper timetables on the Dial-a-Ride website (Opens in a new window).
By community transport
Community transport schemes can help you to travel to the hospital. The services are for elderly and disabled people and for people in rural communities with no public transport.
Please visit Travel Essex website (Opens in a new window) for more information.
By Non-Urgent Patient Transport Service (PTS)
PTS by car or ambulance is for patients whose physical or mental condition means that they are unable to travel in any other way and who require the skills of staff to support them during their journey.
East of England Ambulance Service website (Opens in a new window).
By car or motorbike
Coming from the A12, leave at junction 28. Follow the signs to the hospital taking Via Urbis Romanae, Mill Road and Turner Road. The hospital is on Turner Road.
Parking at the hospital is very limited, so please use the Park and Ride service when possible. The Park and Ride terminus is near junction 28 of the A12.
Parking
Colchester Hospital parking page.
By train
Colchester has two railway stations:
- Colchester Rail Station (COL) is 1.6 miles from the hospital. The station has a taxi rank. Buses 61, 65, 80 and the Park & Ride run between this train station and bus stops in or near the hospital.
- Colchester Town Station (CET) is 4.3 miles from the hospital. The station does not have a taxi rank. Buses 8, 61, 65, 81A and the Park & Ride run from the nearby town centre to bus stops in or near the hospital.
Train information and timetables on the National Rail Enquiries website (Opens in a new window).
Walking
Colchester hospital walking map – ESNEFT Document library (esneftdoclibrary.org.uk)
Travelling from Clacton and Colchester
Free shuttle service for patients and staff between Clacton Hospital and Colchester Hospital (starting on Monday 20 January 2025 for a trial period of three months)
The shuttle will run from 7am to 8pm daily and will take around 30 minutes (depending on traffic).
Look out for the Elite Travel minibus
Pick up locations:
Clacton Hospital – pick up/drop off area near to Entrance 5 in the car park
Colchester Hospital – Outside the main entrance next to the bus stops (please be sure to confirm with driver that you are on the correct shuttle and not the one to the Colchester Park&Ride)
Timetable
07:00 – 07:30am Colchester – Clacton
07:30 – 08:10am Clacton – Colchester
08:10 – 08:50am Colchester – Clacton
08:50 – 09:30am Clacton – Colchester
09:30 – 10:10am Colchester – Clacton
BREAK
11:35 – 12:15pm Clacton – Colchester
12:15 – 12:55pm Colchester – Clacton
12:55 – 13:30pm Clacton – Colchester
13:30 – 14:10pm Colchester – Clacton
14:10 – 14:50pm Clacton – Colchester
BREAK
15:35 – 16:15 Colchester – Clacton
16:15 – 16:55 Clacton – Colchester
16:55 – 17:30 Colchester – Clacton
17:30 – 18:10 Clacton – Colchester
18:50 – 19:30 Colchester – Clacton
BREAK
20:00 – 20:30 Clacton – Colchester