Hi. Sorry for the late reply! You may take dogs into Lower Castle Park but not Upper Castle Park. They are separated by a wall/fence and there are signs, so you won't make a mistake. The lower part is by the river, so makes a lovely walk with your dog. There are expanses of grass for running around/playing ball and a lot of trees, so it's shady in the hot weather. :-)

Thankyou for your question, im afraid BBQ's are not allowed in Castle Park

It depends on which direction you approach from, but if your route is up East Hill (from the Harwich, Ipswich or Clacton direction, head up towards the bottom of the High Street (with Hollytrees Museum and then the War Memorial, on your right), follow the road left at the traffic lights, down Queen Street and turn 2nd left into Priory Street to the long car park there ( just under the old town wall). Ticket machines will display the charges. For Lower Castle Park on foot, retrace your route back up Queen Street, to the War Memorial and across into Upper Castle Park, take any of the paths down the hill behind the Castle through the park gardens, to where Lower Castle Park lies at the bottom. There is also the Nunns Road Car Park (behind North Hill), which is closer, but I have never used that one. Hope those help!

It's free to get in. Some events have paid entry but this is rare and never shut the whole park.

Free to get in, some events require paid entry but this is rare and never close the whole park. Search Colchester Castle Park events on line to see what's happening when.