Discover Colchester's incredible past through our historic attractions and the city streets themselves.
Having once been Britain's First City and the former capital of Roman Britain, our incredible history dates back over 2000 years. On a visit to our city you'll discover that the historic centre is ripe for exploring, with important heritage sites waiting to be found around every corner.
Colchester was recently gifted modern city status, confirming that we're not all about the past. 21st Century Colchester is also a thriving, modern destination filled with first class visitor attractions and cultural sites, as well as fantastic places to eat, drink and shop.
Let us inspire you.
Beyond the city centre, you can discover popular destinations like Mersea Island and Constable Country in the Dedham Vale, as well as the highly regarded Colchester Zoological Society.
Poised at the gateway to East Anglia with picturesque villages on its doorstep, and located only minutes away from the coast, the Colchester area is the perfect destination for a well-deserved short break, day trip or family holiday.
Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with all the latest events, plus information about some of the city's top attractions.
Places to Visit
Explore our most popular attractions including Colchester Zoological Society and the Castle Museum!
What's On
From pop-up markets to huge summer festivals, check out our What's On guide.
Places to Stay
Boutique or budget - there are accommodation options for every taste in Colchester.
Colchester for Groups
Learn more about great days out for groups, young and old alike!
Sample Local Food and Drink
Sample Mersea Oysters, Tiptree Jam or a locally brewed beer.
Explore our Coast and Countryside
Discover the wider city area, including Dedham Vale and Mersea Island.
Guided Walking Tour: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Take a guided walking tour around Colchester to discover its history and heritage with an expert…
Sue Webster: Birth of an Icon
Marking her first major solo show after a celebrated collaborative career, this landmark exhibition…
The Grand Babylon Hotel
The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett Adapted for the stage by Deborah McAndrew Directed by…
Wivenhoe Art Trail 2026
The next Art Trail will take place over 4 days from Friday 1 - Monday 4 May 2026, 10am to 5pm. A…
Guided Tour: A Wivenhoe Wander
Wivenhoe on the banks of the River Colne is now home to many artists, but it also has a long history…
Roman and Medieval Festival 2026
A huge fun packed and educational event in Colchester's Castle Park. Re-enactors from the…
Guided Tour: Constable's Dedham
In the 250 th birthday year of John Constable don your walking boots to explore beautiful Dedham…
Colchester Castle Summer Series: Billy Ocean
Global music icon Billy Ocean is performing on Thursday 20 August. With over 30 million…
Colchester Castle Summer Series: Hollywood Vampires
American rock supergroup Hollywood Vampires featuring Alice Cooper, Johnny…
Colchester Castle Summer Series: Becky Hill
Colchester Castle Summer Series 2026 just got even bigger! Becky Hill is set to headline…
Colchester Castle Summer Series: Bastille
Bastille bring their unmistakable sound to Castle Park, Colchester on Sunday 23rd August 2026. From…
Colchester Castle Summer Series: Richard Ashcroft
Richard Ashcroft headlines Colchester’s Castle Park on 27 August, fresh off a huge year of…
Colchester Castle Summer Series: JLS
British pop favourites JLS will headline the Colchester Castle Park Summer Series on Friday 28…
Colchester Castle Summer Series: Fatboy Slim
Internationally renowned for his groundbreaking productions and legendary live shows, Fatboy Slim…
Heritage Open Days in Colchester
Heritage Open Days return to Colchester and Wivenhoe for 2026. Find out more on our dedicated…
Guided Tour: Art in the Open
Sketched by greats such as Constable and Turner, Colchester has been an artistic inspiration for…
Guided Tour: Bloodcurdling Colchester
The site of a violent attack from fierce tribal warriors, the burning at the stake of martyrs, a…
Guided Tour: A Colchester Christmas
Get in the mood for Christmas with our fun and entertaining guided tour of Colchester city centr…
Visit Colchester Information Centre
The Colchester Visitor Information Centre (VIC) is the tourist office for Colchester, situated in…
Visit Colchester 2026 Visitor Guide
The official Visitor Guide to Colchester, packed with lots of information on places to…
A Walking Tour of the Roman and Medieval Gates
'Walking the walls' is a great way to explore Colchester's history. The…
Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Beth Chatto Gardens in a beautiful outdoor space near Colchester. Covering 6 acres…
Castle Park
Colchester's Castle Park is a large, scenic and well maintained Victorian park in the heart of…
Colchester Castle Museum
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Constructed on the foundations of the Temple…
Colchester Zoological Society
Enjoy a wild adventure at the Eastern region’s No. 1 Zoo, Colchester Zoological Society!…
Firstsite
Firstsite is Colchester and the East of England's contemporary visual arts gallery. Housed in a…
Hidden Colchester Walking Trail
Take a walk through the backstreets, lanes and alleys of Colchester to discover its secrets…
Hollytrees Museum
Hollytrees Museum is located in the beautiful grounds of Castle Park. This attractive Georgian town…
Layer Marney Tower
Layer Marney Tower near Colchester in Essex is the tallest Tudor Gatehouse in the UK, a magnificent…
Mercury Theatre
The Mercury Theatre in Colchester, Essex is at the heart of the city's arts scene - an active…
Roman Circus Visitor Centre
The site of the Roman circus was identified in 2004 and represents the only known Roman circus in…
St Botolph's Priory, Colchester
St Botolph's Priory was the first English Augustinian priory church, founded at the end of the…
The Munnings Art Museum
Each year a changing selection of 150 paintings and drawings from the museum’s significant…
The Siege of Colchester - Walking Trail
During the second English Civil War in 1648, Colchester found itself under siege as parliamentarian…
The Wivenhoe Trail
One of the most popular walks in Colchester, the Wivenhoe Trail is an informal route of about 5…
WyvernWood
Wyvernwood is an immersive story-led experience near Colchester, Essex, for families with children…