51 Highwoods to Wivenhoe via Colchester, Mile End
Operated by First Essex. First bus 05:00, last bus 22:45. 92 journeys on weekdays. Fares: adult single £2.00 to £2.50 — more.
Wanted a different 51? 49 other bus routes are numbered 51 elsewhere in the UK — see every 51 bus timetable by area.
| Stop | 06:00 | 06:30 | 06:50 | 07:10 | 07:30 | 07:50 | 08:10 | 08:30 | 08:50 | 09:10 | 09:30 | 09:50 | 10:10 | 10:30 | 10:50 | 11:10 | 11:30 | 11:50 | 12:10 | 12:30 | 12:50 | 13:10 | 13:30 | 13:50 | 14:10 | 14:30 | 14:50 | 15:10 | 15:30 | 15:50 | 16:10 | 16:30 | 16:50 | 17:10 | 17:30 | 17:50 | 18:10 | 18:33 | 19:03 | 19:38 | 20:15 | 20:45 | 21:17 | 21:47 | 22:45 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highwoods Square (Stop 3) | 06:00 | 06:30 | 06:50 | 07:10 | 07:30 | 07:50 | 08:10 | 08:30 | 08:50 | 09:10 | 09:30 | 09:50 | 10:10 | 10:30 | 10:50 | 11:10 | 11:30 | 11:50 | 12:10 | 12:30 | 12:50 | 13:10 | 13:30 | 13:50 | 14:10 | 14:30 | 14:50 | 15:10 | 15:30 | 15:50 | 16:10 | 16:30 | 16:50 | 17:10 | 17:30 | 17:50 | 18:10 | 18:33 | 19:03 | 19:38 | 20:15 | 20:45 | 21:17 | 21:47 | 22:45 |
| Bedford Road (adj) | 06:08 | 06:38 | 06:58 | 07:20 | 07:42 | 08:02 | 08:22 | 08:41 | 09:00 | 09:20 | 09:40 | 10:00 | 10:20 | 10:40 | 11:00 | 11:20 | 11:40 | 12:00 | 12:20 | 12:40 | 13:00 | 13:20 | 13:40 | 14:00 | 14:20 | 14:40 | 15:00 | 15:20 | 15:41 | 16:01 | 16:21 | 16:41 | 17:03 | 17:23 | 17:41 | 18:00 | 18:19 | 18:41 | 19:11 | 19:46 | 20:23 | 20:53 | 21:25 | 21:55 | 22:53 |
| General Hospital (Stop 2) | 06:11 | 06:41 | 07:01 | 07:24 | 07:46 | 08:06 | 08:26 | 08:45 | 09:03 | 09:23 | 09:43 | 10:03 | 10:23 | 10:43 | 11:03 | 11:23 | 11:43 | 12:03 | 12:23 | 12:43 | 13:03 | 13:23 | 13:43 | 14:03 | 14:23 | 14:43 | 15:03 | 15:23 | 15:45 | 16:05 | 16:25 | 16:45 | 17:07 | 17:27 | 17:45 | 18:04 | 18:22 | 18:44 | 19:14 | 19:48 | 20:25 | 20:55 | 21:27 | 21:57 | 22:55 |
| Railway Station Layby (Stand F) | 06:17 | 06:47 | 07:07 | 07:31 | 07:55 | 08:15 | 08:35 | 08:53 | 09:11 | 09:30 | 09:49 | 10:09 | 10:29 | 10:49 | 11:09 | 11:29 | 11:49 | 12:09 | 12:29 | 12:49 | 13:09 | 13:29 | 13:49 | 14:09 | 14:29 | 14:49 | 15:09 | 15:30 | 15:53 | 16:13 | 16:33 | 16:53 | 17:15 | 17:35 | 17:53 | 18:11 | 18:29 | 18:51 | 19:21 | 19:54 | 20:30 | 21:00 | 21:32 | 22:02 | 23:00 |
| Angel Court (Stop Gb) | 06:23 | 06:53 | 07:13 | 07:37 | 08:03 | 08:24 | 08:44 | 09:01 | 09:19 | 09:38 | 09:57 | 10:17 | 10:36 | 10:56 | 11:16 | 11:36 | 11:56 | 12:16 | 12:36 | 12:56 | 13:16 | 13:36 | 13:56 | 14:16 | 14:37 | 14:57 | 15:17 | 15:39 | 16:02 | 16:22 | 16:42 | 17:02 | 17:23 | 17:43 | 18:01 | 18:19 | 18:37 | 18:58 | 19:28 | 20:00 | 20:36 | 21:06 | 21:38 | 22:08 | 23:06 |
| Queen Street (Stop Ja) | 06:27 | 06:57 | 07:17 | 07:41 | 08:07 | 08:29 | 08:49 | 09:06 | 09:23 | 09:42 | 10:01 | 10:21 | 10:40 | 11:00 | 11:20 | 11:40 | 12:00 | 12:20 | 12:40 | 13:00 | 13:20 | 13:40 | 14:00 | 14:20 | 14:41 | 15:01 | 15:21 | 15:43 | 16:06 | 16:26 | 16:46 | 17:06 | 17:27 | 17:47 | 18:05 | 18:23 | 18:41 | 19:02 | 19:32 | 20:04 | 20:40 | 21:10 | 21:42 | 22:12 | 23:10 |
| Grange Way (opp) | 06:36 | 07:06 | 07:27 | 07:52 | 08:20 | 08:42 | 09:01 | 09:18 | 09:34 | 09:53 | 10:12 | 10:32 | 10:51 | 11:11 | 11:31 | 11:51 | 12:11 | 12:31 | 12:51 | 13:11 | 13:31 | 13:51 | 14:11 | 14:31 | 14:52 | 15:13 | 15:34 | 15:56 | 16:19 | 16:40 | 17:00 | 17:20 | 17:40 | 18:00 | 18:17 | 18:35 | 18:52 | 19:12 | 19:42 | 20:14 | 20:49 | 21:19 | 21:50 | 22:20 | 23:18 |
| University Quays (SW-bound) | 06:41 | 07:11 | 07:32 | 07:57 | 08:26 | 08:48 | 09:07 | 09:24 | 09:39 | 09:58 | 10:17 | 10:37 | 10:56 | 11:16 | 11:36 | 11:56 | 12:16 | 12:36 | 12:56 | 13:16 | 13:36 | 13:56 | 14:16 | 14:36 | 14:58 | 15:19 | 15:40 | 16:03 | 16:27 | 16:50 | 17:11 | 17:30 | 17:48 | 18:08 | 18:24 | 18:41 | 18:58 | 19:17 | 19:47 | 20:19 | 20:54 | 21:24 | 21:55 | 22:25 | 23:23 |
| South Courts (adj) | 06:49 | 07:20 | 07:41 | 08:07 | 08:36 | 08:59 | 09:17 | 09:34 | 09:49 | 10:08 | 10:27 | 10:47 | 11:06 | 11:26 | 11:46 | 12:06 | 12:26 | 12:46 | 13:06 | 13:26 | 13:46 | 14:06 | 14:26 | 14:46 | 15:08 | 15:29 | 15:51 | 16:15 | 16:39 | 17:02 | 17:23 | 17:42 | 18:00 | 18:20 | 18:34 | 18:51 | 19:07 | 19:26 | 19:56 | 20:27 | 21:02 | 21:32 | 22:03 | 22:33 | 23:31 |
| Railway Station (o/s) | 06:58 | 07:30 | 07:51 | 08:17 | 08:47 | 09:09 | 09:28 | 09:45 | 10:00 | 10:19 | 10:38 | 10:58 | 11:17 | 11:37 | 11:57 | 12:17 | 12:37 | 12:57 | 13:17 | 13:37 | 13:57 | 14:17 | 14:37 | 14:57 | 15:19 | 15:40 | 16:02 | 16:26 | 16:50 | 17:13 | 17:34 | 17:57 | 18:11 | 18:31 | 18:45 | 19:01 | 19:21 | 19:36 | 20:06 | 20:36 | 21:10 | 21:40 | 22:11 | 22:45 | 23:43 |
Each column is one journey, headed by the time it sets off; one that finishes short of the usual end says where ("to …") — not every journey on this route runs the whole way. A · means that journey does not stop there. Times are shown at the route's main timing stops — buses serve all stops in between. Switch a table to All stops for every stop it calls at, or open a stop's own page for live departures there.
Fares on the 51
Adult single £2.00 to £2.50 · Child single £1.20 to £2.00
Adult single fare table, stage to stage
| £2.30 | Mill Rd Water Twr rb | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £2.30 | £2.30 | Mill Rd Turner Rd | ||||||||||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | Colc Gen Hosp Turner | |||||||||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | Colc North RS | ||||||||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.00 | Causton Rd | |||||||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.00 | £2.00 | Colc town centre | ||||||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.30 | Camp Church | |||||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.30 | £2.30 | Scarletts Rd | ||||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.30 | Quays/Elm Rbt | |||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.00 | Univ of Essex | ||
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | Vine Farm Flag Horse | |
| £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.50 | £2.30 | Wivenhoe |
Read along the row of the stage you travel to, to the column below the stage you board at; the first stage is Highwoods Square.
First Bus's published fares on the Bus Open Data Service, in force from 28 August 2026. A fare stage is a group of neighbouring stops that are priced the same. Fares change — check with First Essex before you travel.
Tickets on the 51
First Essex publishes singles on this route for adults and children.
Adult Single · Child Single
Ticket types come from First Essex's own fares data on the Bus Open Data Service, last updated 4 September 2026. Prices for singles and returns are under Fares above; for the others, check with First Essex.
Christmas & bank holidays
These dates are not the usual timetable for the day they fall on. They come from the operator’s published data, which for Christmas and New Year is often late or incomplete, so check with First Essex before you travel. Everything above is an ordinary week.
Not published yet: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Operators often publish festive timetables only a few weeks ahead, so check again nearer the date.
- Monday, 28 December 2026 towards Wivenhoe: 28 journeys, first 06:31 towards Highwoods: 28 journeys, first 06:00
- Tuesday, 29 December 2026 towards Wivenhoe: 45 journeys, first 06:00 towards Highwoods: 50 journeys, first 05:00
- Wednesday, 30 December 2026 towards Wivenhoe: 45 journeys, first 06:00 towards Highwoods: 50 journeys, first 05:00
Route map
All stops on route 51
51 towards Wivenhoe
All 50 stops
- Highwoods Square (Stop 3) Highwoods
- Highwoods Approach (E-bound) Highwoods
- Derwent Road (N-bound) Highwoods
- Berkley Close (opp) Highwoods
- Regents Close (opp) Highwoods
- Brinkley Lane (NE-bound) Highwoods
- Oyster Business Park (opp) Colchester
- Newcomen Way (opp) Colchester
- Julian Avenue (adj) Mile End
- Maximus Drive (adj) Mile End
- The Water Tower (opp) Mile End
- Bedford Road (adj) Mile End
- Thornwood (adj) Mile End
- Beaumont Close (opp) Mile End
- Kingswood Road (adj) Colchester
- General Hospital (Stop 2) Colchester
- Wryneck Close (adj) Colchester
- Turner Rise (adj) Colchester
- Bruff Close (W-bound) Colchester
- Groves Close (Stop B) Colchester
- Railway Station Layby (Stand F) Colchester
- The Albert (o/s) Colchester
- Causton Road (adj) Colchester
- Middleborough (S-bound) Colchester
- Angel Court (Stop Gb) Colchester City Centre
- Queen Street (Stop Ja) Colchester City Centre
- Military Road (Stop D) Colchester
- Lookers Garage (o/s) Colchester
- Garrison Church (o/s) Colchester
- Recreation Ground (o/s) Colchester
- Worsnop House (o/s) Colchester
- Scarletts Road (adj) Colchester
- Barn Hall Avenue (opp) Colchester
- Old Heath Post Office (o/s) Old Heath
- Grange Way (opp) Old Heath
- Commerce Way (opp) Old Heath
- Albany Gardens (adj) Colchester
- University Quays (SW-bound) Colchester
- Mascot Square (opp) Colchester
- Knowledge Gateway (S-bound) University of Essex
- Subway (SE-bound) University of Essex
- Valley Road (adj) University of Essex
- South Courts (adj) University of Essex
- The Flag (o/s) Wivenhoe
- Heath Road (opp) Wivenhoe
- Wivenhoe Cross (S-bound) Wivenhoe
- Rosabelle Avenue (opp) Wivenhoe
- Co-op (o/s) Wivenhoe
- Post Office (o/s) Wivenhoe
- Railway Station (o/s) Wivenhoe
51 towards Highwoods
All 49 stops
- Railway Station (o/s) Wivenhoe
- Station Road (E-bound) Wivenhoe
- Queens Road (opp) Wivenhoe
- Co-op (opp) Wivenhoe
- Rosabelle Avenue (adj) Wivenhoe
- Wivenhoe Cross (N-bound) Wivenhoe
- The Flag (opp) Wivenhoe
- South Courts (opp) University of Essex
- Valley Road (opp) University of Essex
- Subway (NW-bound) University of Essex
- Knowledge Gateway (N-bound) University of Essex
- Mascot Square (adj) Colchester
- University Quays (SW-bound) Colchester
- Albany Gardens (opp) Colchester
- Commerce Way (adj) Old Heath
- Grange Way (adj) Old Heath
- Old Heath Post Office (opp) Old Heath
- Barn Hall Avenue (adj) Colchester
- Scarletts Road (opp) Colchester
- Worsnop House (opp) Colchester
- Recreation Ground (opp) Colchester
- Garrison Church (opp) Colchester
- Mill Street (adj) Colchester
- Military Road (Stop E) Colchester
- Osborne Street (Stop Ae) Colchester City Centre
- St John's Street (Stop Cb) Colchester City Centre
- Head Street (Stop Ec) Colchester City Centre
- Middleborough (N-bound) Colchester
- Causton Road (opp) Colchester
- The Albert (opp) Colchester
- Railway Station Layby (Stand Ea) Colchester
- Bruff Close (E-bound) Colchester
- Turner Rise (opp) Colchester
- Wryneck Close (opp) Colchester
- General Hospital - main Rd (o/s) Colchester
- Kingswood Road (opp) Colchester
- Thornwood (opp) Mile End
- Bedford Road (opp) Mile End
- The Water Tower (o/s) Mile End
- Julian Avenue (opp) Mile End
- Matchett Drive (adj) Mile End
- Newcomen Way (adj) Colchester
- Oyster Business Park (adj) Colchester
- Brinkley Lane (SW-bound) Highwoods
- Regents Close (adj) Highwoods
- Berkley Close (adj) Highwoods
- Derwent Road (S-bound) Highwoods
- Highwoods Approach (W-bound) Highwoods
- Highwoods Square (Stop 1) Highwoods
Service registration & registered changes
- Service change effective 4 January 2026 To amend Timetable.
- Service change effective 31 August 2025 To amend Timetable.
- Service change effective 20 April 2025 To amend Timetable.
- Service change effective 3 November 2024 To amend Timetable.
- Service change effective 1 September 2024 To amend Timetable.
From official Traffic Commissioner registrations. Registration PF0000599/174 · Changes in Essex County Council · All service changes →
Towns & areas on this route
Frequently asked questions
What time is the first 51 bus?
The first 51 departure on weekdays leaves at 05:00 (check the full timetable below for your stop, as times vary along the route — weekend times can differ).
What time is the last 51 bus?
The last 51 on weekdays leaves its first stop at 22:45. Always check the timetable for your specific stop — later stops are reached after this time.
How much does the 51 bus cost?
First Essex's published fares on the 51: adult single £2.00 to £2.50, child single £1.20 to £2.00. The 51 is confirmed by GOV.UK as part of the national fare cap, so a single costs at most £3 until 31 December 2026, then £2 from 1 January 2027. First Essex day and weekly tickets can work out cheaper if you travel more than twice a day.
Who runs the 51 bus?
The 51 is operated by First Essex.
Timetable data from First Essex via the DfT Bus Open Data Service (South East England feed). Registered with the Traffic Commissioner as PF0000599/174. Check before you travel — services can change at short notice.