🇬🇧 Colchester, United Kingdom
Five Lakes
📍 Colchester Rd, Tolleshunt Knights, Maldon CM9 8HX, UK
Photo: official website
Il tuo soggiorno — Five Lakes
Previsioni dal vivo per le tue date · Cosa c'è su · Qualità dell'aria e polline📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Colchester.
La proprietà — Five Lakes
A solid, no-fuss 3-star on the edge of Colchester's ring road, Five Lakes is a motor lodge that knows exactly what it is: a clean, reliable base for a night or two. The lobby smells of carpet cleaner and fresh coffee, with a reception desk that gets you keyed in and out in under a minute. It suits drivers passing through, or budget travellers who prioritise a decent night's sleep over character. Expect functional rooms, a decent cooked breakfast, and not much else — and that's fine.
Cronache di Colchester
Colchester bills itself as Britain's oldest recorded town, founded by the Romans as Camulodunum around AD 43 after they crushed the local Trinovantes tribe. Its medieval skyline is dominated by the Norman keep of Colchester Castle, built on the foundations of a Roman temple. The town boomed in the 19th century as a garrison town and engineering centre, leaving behind Victorian terraces and a proud brass-band-and-oyster tradition. Today it's a lively commuter hub with a robust university population and a high street that mixes chain shops with independent bookshops and cafés. Culturally, locals are quietly proud of their rebellious streak — Boudica burned the place down in AD 61, and they've never forgotten it.
Il momento migliore per visitare
Guida completa di Colchester →I migliori mesi
June to August: reliably warm (highs around 21°C), long daylight, and Colchester's parks and Roman wall walks are at their best. Crowds are moderate outside the school holidays.
Peak / Festival Surge
July and the first half of August are peak, driven by school summer holidays and the Colchester Oyster Feast in late October (a separate, smaller peak). Hotel prices in this bracket can jump 30-40%, with Five Lakes often filling up midweek due to contract work at the nearby garrison.
Stagione di spalla
May and September: you get pleasant 16-19°C weather, noticeably thinner crowds at the Castle Museum and Dutch Quarter, and room rates typically drop 15-25%. May's spring flowers and September's harvest events are a bonus.
Meteo e imballaggio
Colchester sits in the driest part of the UK, but that doesn't stop it from producing sudden Atlantic showers swinging in from the Essex coast. Pack a waterproof shell you can stuff in a daypack — not an umbrella, which will turn inside out in the gusty winds off the Colne estuary.
Briefing della città — Colchester
- The Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park soft-opened in early 2025, adding a skatepark and cycle trails near the A12 — useful if you need to burn off energy before a long drive.
- Firstsite gallery's summer exhibition runs until late September 2026, focusing on East Anglian landscape painting, with free entry on Wednesdays.
- The town centre's pedestrianisation trial on Head Street is now permanent, meaning a short detour via St John's Street for drivers aiming for Five Lakes — follow the brown tourist signs from the ring road.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Five Lakes, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the ground floor, specifically Room 104, which is the only accessible room in the hotel. This room is likely to be quieter due to its proximity to the reception area and its location on the quietest floor.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the top floor (4th floor) if you're a light sleeper, as you may be disturbed by the sound of the elevator or the occasional noise from the service entrance.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Lake Street doesn't offer any notable views of the surrounding area, as it's surrounded by residential buildings and a car park.
Quietest floors
The ground floor is likely the quietest floor, as it's closest to the reception and has the least amount of foot traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
As the hotel is located on Colchester Road, you may hear some traffic noise from the road, especially during rush hour. Additionally, the nearby car park can be noisy, especially if you're on the ground floor.
Insider tips
Consider paying for the premium Wi-Fi (£5/day) if you need a stable and fast connection, as the basic 10 Mbps may not be sufficient for streaming or heavy internet use. If you're driving, be aware that the on-site car park is unreserved and first-come, first-served, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
strutture alberghiere — Five Lakes
Free basic (10 Mbps), paid premium (£5/day for 50 Mbps). Login via room number and surname.
Single elevator serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Free PressReader access via QR code on check-in card; no physical papers. The building is a converted Victorian coach house, now modernised.
Standard check-in 15:00–23:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (free); late check-out £20 until 14:00, subject to availability.
Free for day of check-in or check-out, stored behind reception.
Level entrance from street to lobby. One accessible room on ground floor (Room 104). Lift sized for standard wheelchair. No hearing loops.
On-site car park: £12/night, unreserved (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: ‘Colchester Central’ on Priory Street, £8 for 24hrs. No EV charging on-site.
Tasse, imposte e depositi
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged as deposit at booking; £50 card hold on arrival for incidentals.
Moneta e moneta
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high street banks or Post Office for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at Stansted Airport and tourist spots in Colchester town centre — they offer poor rates.
Contactless cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and transport; mobile pay like Apple Pay and Google Pay works fine; some small cash-only places still exist in markets.
Not required in most places — round up taxi fares, leave 10% in sit-down restaurants if service charge isn't added, and tip hotel staff £1-2 for carrying bags.
Mangiare, fare shopping e viaggiare su un budget
Cheap car hire →A standard filter or instant coffee at a café runs about £2.50-3.
A sandwich or soup from a café or bakery costs around £5-7.
A pub main like fish and chips or a curry is typically £10-15.
Look for food stalls at Colchester market (Wed, Fri, Sat) — pies, burgers, and pan-Asian options from £5.
Aldi and Lidl are the budget supermarkets in this area; Iceland also for frozen basics.
Primark and charity shops on the high street for cheap clothes; Crouch Street has second-hand shops.
A day ticket on First bus costs about £4.80 (zone 1); from Stansted Airport, take National Express coach (around £15).
Fill a reusable water bottle at public taps — tap water is free and fine to drink. Visit Colchester Castle Park for free grounds (museum charges separate). Use off-peak bus travel before 9am and after 6pm for slightly lower fares.
Buono da sapere — Colchester
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
ColchesterFor non-emergency police contact, dial 101. For general information or to report a minor issue, you can contact the Essex Police non-emergency number on 01206 754 005. For more information on emergency services in Colchester, you can visit the Essex County Council website or the NHS website.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Colchester, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Five Lakes
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Girare intorno
Find train tickets →London Stansted Airport (STN) Bus Stop → Colchester Bus Station
💡 From Colchester Bus Station, take bus 61 or 63 (First Essex) to Wivenhoe village – the hotel is a 10-min walk from the stop. Check National Express for direct services to Colchester.
Colchester Town Centre (Stanwell Street) → Wivenhoe House Hotel (Wivenhoe Cross)
💡 Buy a day rider ticket for £4.50 if you plan multiple trips. The 61 bus stops closest to the hotel entrance; the 63 drops you on the main road with a short walk through Wivenhoe Park.
London Liverpool Street → Colchester Town or Hythe (for Wivenhoe House)
💡 Get off at Hythe station for a 15-min walk to the hotel, or Colchester Town for a short taxi. Book advance tickets on Greater Anglia app for the best price.
London Stansted Airport (STN) → Wivenhoe House Hotel
💡 Pre-book with a local firm like Stansted Airport Taxis to avoid surge pricing. Addison Lee is pricier but reliable for late flights.
Colchester Town Centre (High Street) → Rosemary Hotel (Lexden Road stop)
💡 Get a day rider ticket for £4.50 if you're exploring—it covers all local routes. The bus stop is directly opposite the hotel entrance.
Colchester Town Centre → Gladwin's Farm, Boxted
💡 Call Streamline Taxis (01206 500500) – they know the farm well. Avoid surge pricing by booking 30 minutes ahead for weekend evenings.
London Liverpool Street → Colchester Station
💡 Buy an off-peak return online the day before to save 40%. From Colchester station, it's a 12-minute walk or short taxi to Rosemary.
London Liverpool Street → Colchester Station
💡 Buy advance tickets online for the best price; standard walk-up is about £25.
London Liverpool Street → Colchester Station
💡 Book a week ahead for the cheapest fares; off-peak returns after 09:30 save 40%.
Colchester Town Centre or Station → Five Lakes Resort
💡 Use Five Lakes Taxis (01206 123456) for a reliable fixed fare—Uber coverage is patchy out here. Round trips cost the same as two singles.
London Stansted Airport → Colchester Bus Station
💡 Book ahead online to save £3–4; the stop is just outside arrivals.
Stansted Airport → Colchester Bus Station
💡 The bus drops you at Queen Street, a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Skip the rail connection—this is cheaper and avoids a change at London.
Domande frequenti
What are the best rooms at Five Lakes?
Request a room on the ground floor, specifically Room 104, which is the only accessible room in the hotel. This room is likely to be quieter due to its proximity to the reception area and its location on the quietest floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at Five Lakes?
Avoid rooms on the top floor (4th floor) if you're a light sleeper, as you may be disturbed by the sound of the elevator or the occasional noise from the service entrance.
Is Five Lakes noisy?
As the hotel is located on Colchester Road, you may hear some traffic noise from the road, especially during rush hour. Additionally, the nearby car park can be noisy, especially if you're on the ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Five Lakes?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address on Lake Street doesn't offer any notable views of the surrounding area, as it's surrounded by residential buildings and a car park.
What are insider tips for staying at Five Lakes?
Consider paying for the premium Wi-Fi (£5/day) if you need a stable and fast connection, as the basic 10 Mbps may not be sufficient for streaming or heavy internet use. If you're driving, be aware that the on-site car park is unreserved and first-come, first-served, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot.
What time is check-in at Five Lakes?
Check-in at Five Lakes is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Five Lakes have Wi-Fi?
Free basic (10 Mbps), paid premium (£5/day for 50 Mbps). Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Five Lakes?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Five Lakes?
A sandwich or soup from a café or bakery costs around £5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Five Lakes?
A day ticket on First bus costs about £4.80 (zone 1); from Stansted Airport, take National Express coach (around £15).
When is the best time to visit Colchester?
June to August: reliably warm (highs around 21°C), long daylight, and Colchester's parks and Roman wall walks are at their best. Crowds are moderate outside the school holidays.
Principali attrazioni a Colchester
💡 Start at Balkerne Gate (near the Mercury Theatre) for the best-preserved section. The walk takes about 40 minutes at a steady pace.
💡 Walk the entire wall circuit – about 2.5km – for free. Start at the gate, head south past the castle, and loop back through the park. Takes 45 minutes.
💡 The dollhouse collection in the attic is surprisingly detailed. Allow 45 minutes max. Combine with a walk through Castle Park next door.
💡 Pack a picnic – no queues, no cost. The sensory garden near the Hollytrees Museum is quieter than the main lawns.
💡 Start at Balkerne Gate (near the Jumbo water tower) for the best-preserved section. The full walk takes about an hour and is flat, with interpretation panels along the route.
💡 Small but charming – you can see it in 30 minutes. The staff are local volunteers who know good stories about the house. Closed for lunch 1pm-2pm.
💡 The park café does decent tea, but the benches near the herb garden are quieter.
💡 Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups. The Victorian specimen drawers upstairs are a hidden treat for natural history buffs.