Browsing venues

University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ, Tel: 01206 873184, Email, www.essex.ac.uk/artson5

Contemporary art gallery showing temporary exhibitions and associated events. Parkland with lakes and sculptures.

Birch Gallery Tearoom, Fujita, 2 Birch Street, Colchester, Essex, CO2 0NF, Tel: 01206 331363, Email, www.birchgallery.co.uk

Art gallery displaying fine detail watercolours by John Harrison, Originals high quailty prints and greeting cards for sale. Tea room providing teas speciality, coffees, lunches, snacks and cream teas. Closed on Mon & Tues.

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RT, Tel: 01206 572422, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bourne-mill

National Trust property, the mill was originally built as a fishing lodge in 1591 and features stepped "Dutch" gables. There is a millpond and some of the machinery, including the waterwheel which is intact and working.

Colchester Leisure World, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, CO1 1YH, Tel: 01206 282020, Email, www.charter-hall.co.uk

Colchester's premier events venue featuring comedians, bands, orchestras, dance, specialist exhibitions and fairs and private functions.

Sheepen Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3LL, Tel: 01206 712999, Email, www.colchester.ac.uk/cmpalive

Professional concert hall / live music venue offering professional/student concerts, musicals, events and educational workshops. Concert hall capacity is 200, disabled access, licensed bar at selected events.

The National Trust, Grange Hill, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1RE, Tel: 01376 562226, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coggeshall-grange-barn

Grange Barn stands as a reminder of the once powerful Coggeshall Abbey; with ancient pillars soaring to a cathedral like roof.

Church Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NF, Tel: 01206 500900, Email, www.colchesterartscentre.com

The home of live music, comedy, theatre, poetry, dance, children's shows, clubs, farmer's markets, gigs and more.

Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ, Tel: 01206 282939, Email, www.cimuseums.org.uk

Colchester Castle is temporarily closed for 2013 for an exciting redevelopment. We will be creating new museum displays and improved visitor facilities. The Castle will re-open for Easter 2014. Visit our website for further details

Colchester Central Library, 21 Trinity Square, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JB, Tel: 01206 245900, Email, www.essex.gov.uk/libraries

Libraries today are fascinating places. Whether you are interested in reading for pleasure, or want to learn something new, whether you need information or simply somewhere to relax and meet people, your local library is the place to be.

Colchester, CO1 2PG, Tel: 01206 282920

Colchester Town Centre has a lot to offer with a wide range of shops and a great deal of different architechture

High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PJ, Tel: 01206 282230, Email, www.colchester.gov.uk/Info_page_two_pic_2_det.asp?art_id=5421&sec_id=2825

The Town Hall is a superb example of Edwardian Architecture built in 1902 with outstanding function rooms, still used for their original purpose.

Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2PN, Email, www.visitchurches.org.uk

For many years the church of the port of Colchester, St Leonard's and its impressive tower stand just above the river. A delightful and light interior was beautified by the Victorians and contains some fine stained glass.

Hedingham Station, Yeldham Road, Castle Hedingham, Essex, CO9 3DZ, Tel: 01787 461174, Email, www.colnevalleyrailway.co.uk

One mile length of line with re-located buildings, large collection of heritage rolling stock, steam and diesel locomotives and miniature and model railways. Special events including Thomas and Santa specials.

Cressing Temple Barns, Witham Road, Cressing, Nr. Witham, CM77 8PD, Tel: 01376 584903, Email, www.cressingtemple.org.uk

Two magnificent 13th century barns, once owned by the mysterious Knights Templar; Tudor walled garden; rural buildings from seventeenth century onwards. Well-stocked gift shop and tea-room. Audio tour guide available.

Boxted Road, Colchester, Essex, CO4 5HH, Tel: 01787 464280, Email, www.cuckoofarmstudios.org.uk

We are a dynamic group of over 30 professional artists working from our studios in disused farm buildings on the rural outskirts of Colchester. We have a gallery on sight that hosts a full programme of exhibitions throughout the year.

Chappel Station, Wakes Colne, Essex, CO6 2DS, Tel: 01206 242524, Email, www.earm.co.uk

We are a living museum situated at the edge of Constable Country. Our heritage site is an interactive display of the region's industrial and social history of railways since the 19th century.

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH, Tel: 01206 577067, Email, www.firstsite.uk.net

firstsite is Colchester's contemporary visual arts organisation.

Flatford, East Bergholt, Nr Ipswich, Suffolk, CO7 6UL, Tel: 01206 298260, Email, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/flatford

A delightful 16th century cottage just minutes from Flatford Mill. Why not visit our Constable exhibition then sit by the river and enjoy a freshly baked cake at the National Trust tea room and find a gift in our shop.