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Discover the City of Colchester

  1. Year of Celebration Logo
    Colchester celebrates becoming a city with a programme of celebratory events.
  2. Live Music in Castle Park
    Find out what's on in Colchester

Highlights

Castle grounds with a jumping pillow in the foreground

Wyvernwood is an immersive story-led experience near Colchester, Essex, for families with children…

EVEWRIGHT: Libation

'Libation' marks EVEWRIGHT's first solo exhibition in a public gallery, showcasing a collection of…

Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games

Join us this summer for our spectacular new exhibition, Gladiators, A Day at the Roman Games!…

Hidden Colchester

Take a walk through the backstreets, lanes and alleys of Colchester to discover its secrets and…

Screenshot of St Botolph's Priory from teh Ancient Colchester App

The Ancient Colchester App developed by Colchester & Ipswich Museums allows you to wander around…

The Mercury Theatre, with Jumbo Water Tower in the background

A highly respected regional theatre, home to the critically acclaimed Mercury Theatre Company,…

Enlightened image flyer - a family enjoying the trail among brightly illuminated trees.

A spectacular light trail is coming to Colchester Castle Park this Christmas.

@background_bob and his amazing friends…back again!

'Back again!' features over 270 collaborative artworks created by @background_bob with leading…

"Artfund Museum of the Year 2021 - Winner"

Firstsite is Colchester's contemporary art gallery.

An image of the 2023 Visit Colchester guide with a Roman Vase on its cover. A text prompt urges you to request your copy now.

The official Visitor Guide to Colchester, packed with lots of information on places to visit,…

The Siege of Colchester - An Historic walk around Colchester reliving the English Civil War Siege

Take a walk through history, exploring key sites from the Siege of Colchester in 1648 and the scars…

Hollytrees House framed by Wisteria

The jewel in Colchester’s crown - an award-winning oasis of horticultural splendour boasting a…

Will Teather's Globe in Colchester Castle

Internationally renowned artist, Will Teather brings three unique artwork to Colchester located…

Beth Chatto Gardens

World renowned gardens showcasing sustainable planting and 'the right plant for the right place'.…

Walking Tours - Book Now Graphic

Take a guided walking tour around Colchester to discover its history and heritage with an expert…

Colchester - A Walking Tour of the Roman and Medieval Gates

'Walking the walls' is a great way to explore Colchester's history. This circular walk takes you…

Silhouette of a family watching a sealion

Colchester Zoo is home to 240 species set in 60 acres of parkland and lakes! Listed as the 11th…

Colchester Castle

Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum

The Wivenhoe trail runs beside the Colne (to the left in this image) snaking between Colchester and Wivenhoe.

TeXt reads "New! Downloadable Walking T

Follow our downloadable map along the The Wivenhoe Trail from Colchester town centre to the…

Langham Handmade Christmas Fair poster with images of a selection of handmade goods.

Mark your calendars for the 5th annual Langham Christmas Handmade Fair, featuring an array of…

Colchester Orbital

The Colchester Orbital  is a 15 mile picturesque walk and cycle route, which follows existing…

Le Talbooth Restaurant on the River Stour near Dedham

Le Talbooth Restaurant on the River Stour near Dedham

Enjoy a meal at this scenic location

Medieval Wall Paintings in Copford Church

Medieval Wall Paintings in Copford Church

Copford Church

Jumbo and The Balkerne Gate in Colchester City Centre

Jumbo and The Balkerne Gate in Colchester City Centre

City Centre Shopping

The ruins of St Botolph's Priory

The ruins of St Botolph's Priory

Discover what remains of Britain's first Augustinian priory.

The Colchester City Centre Skyline

The Colchester City Centre Skyline

Jumbo and The Town Hall in Silhouette

Wivenhoe Quayside

Wivenhoe Quayside

Enjoy a drink by the river

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

The Balkerne Gate

Discover Constable Country

Discover Constable Country

The River Stour in The Dedham Vale

The Chappel Viaduct

The Chappel Viaduct

Explore the Beautiful Borough

A Fresh Catch of Oysters on Mersea Island

A Fresh Catch of Oysters on Mersea Island

Oysters

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Explore West Mersea Beach

More Highlights

School of Rock

Much-loved favourites and wickedly hilarious new songs, at the Mercury Theatre.

Pumpkin Patch Nights

Twilight pumpkin picking is back! Get the full Halloween experience, picking pumpkins and…

ESSEX REBELS SEASON OPENER: Rebels NBL D1 vs. Worthing Thunder

THE ESSEX REBELS ARE BACK! We are thrilled to be back in the Essex Sport Arena and kickstart the…

Market stalls outside Jumbo water tower

Colchester's Farmers Market takes place in the public square outside the Mercury Theatre on the…

Small Trains Day & Model Railway Show

Our popular Small Trains Day is back for 2023 – but it's not just small trains – one of our full…

Sarah-Millican-Late-Bloomer-Tour-Poster

Stand up comedy at Colchester Charter Hall

Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny

TV funnyman Jimmy Carr brings his Terribly Funny show back to Colchester's Charter Hall

Colchester Fringe Logo

The Colchester Fringe Festival returns for 2023

Steam Train

Steam Trains at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Colchester-Castle-at-night

Enjoy a tour of the Castle with a darker side.

Ghosts and Witches Tour

Get ready to be spellbound! Join Colchester History Tours for a ghostly and witchy adventure…

A small green Waggon und Maschinenbau Railbus E79963 sits by the platform

Unlimited Diesel Rides at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Oktoberfest Colchester 2023

Experience the real Oktoberfest atmosphere with live oompah bands, steins of beer and the all…

Halloween Party!

Get in the Halloween spirit with spooky stories, creepy crafts, ghoulish games and a fun Halloween…

Paul Zerdin: Puppetman

The America’s Got Talent winner is back with a brand-new comedy show for 2023.

Spooky Day Out With Thomas 2023

Join Thomas & Friends for family fun at the East Anglian Railway Museum. Take a train ride with…

Wicked-Spirits-graphic

Colchester Castle hosts a special evening of talks with modern day witchcraft practitioners, object…

An Evening with Philippa Perry: The Show You Want Everyone You Love to Go To

A heartfelt, witty, and thought-provoking evening at the Mercury Theatre

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

An experiential ghost story, unlike anything you have ever experienced before. 

Fireworks Exploding over the Bandstand in Castle Park

The spectacular annual fireworks display in Colchester's Castle Park returns once again for 2023.

Metamorphosis

Kafka’s Metamorphosis at the Mercury Theatre

Garth Marenghi’s INCARCERAT Book Tour

Stand up comedy at Colchester Charter Hall

Sleeping Beauty

Colchester's much-loved Panto returns to the Mercury Theatre

Festive Day Out With Thomas 2023 (Inc. Santa)

Join Thomas & Friends for family fun at the East Anglian Railway Museum. Take a train ride with…

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