Dating back to Roman Britain, this Essex town has preserved its ancient walls, medieval castle, and busy market streets. Students and locals mingle in traditional pubs and near Roman ruins.
Colchester, located in Essex just 50 miles from London, has been continuously inhabited for over 2,000 years. You can climb Europe's largest Norman keep at Colchester Castle, feed giraffes at the 60-acre Colchester Zoo, or examine works by Turner Prize winners at FirstSite gallery. The city center contains Roman walls, medieval churches, and Georgian townhouses, while nearby Mersea Island and Dedham Vale make excellent day trips.
Getting to Colchester
You can reach Colchester from London Liverpool Street station in under an hour, with trains running every 30 minutes. The A12 road connects the city directly to London, while London Stansted Airport is less than 30 miles away. Local buses run from Colchester Bus Station to all major attractions, including the zoo and Mersea Island.
Exploring the City Center
Walk through medieval lanes where antique dealers, bookshops, and craft stores occupy buildings dating from the 15th to 18th centuries. St. Botolph's Priory's remains include Norman architecture from the 11th century, with its rounded arches still standing. The Mercury Theatre produces its own shows and hosts touring productions throughout the year. The Arts Centre, in a converted church, hosts weekly music events and runs the annual Beer Festival each October.
Museums and Culture
Explore 2,000 years of history at Colchester Castle Museum (£10.95 adult entry), which stands on the former Temple of Claudius site. Climb to the castle's roof for views across the city and Castle Park. Hollytrees Museum occupies an elegant Georgian building, with displays of furniture, clocks, and costumes from three centuries of local life. FirstSite's golden building contains contemporary art exhibitions with free entry year-round.
Parks and Surrounding Areas
Relax in Castle Park's Victorian gardens, complete with a children's play area and a boating lake open from spring to autumn. Walk the 5-mile Wivenhoe Trail along the River Colne, where you'll see waterfowl and sailing boats. Take a bus to Mersea Island, 9 miles from the city center, for its sandy beaches and fresh oyster bars. North of the city, walk through Dedham Vale's meadows and woodlands that appear in John Constable's famous paintings.
Military Connections
Walk along the Roman walls built after Boudica's revolt in 60 CE, which reach up to 6 meters high in places. The headquarters of the 16th Air Assault Brigade maintains Colchester's military tradition. You can visit key locations from the 1648 Siege of Colchester, when Royalist forces defended the town for 11 weeks during the English Civil War.
