Visit Colchester - Britain's first Roman city. Watch our film to discover what awaits you.
Welcome to Colchester! A historic Essex town, Britain's first city and former capital of Roman Britain. Its rich history dates back over 2000 years.
But it's not all about the past. 21st Century Colchester is a thriving, modern town with first class visitor attractions, including the family favourites Colchester Zoo and Colchester Castle, as well as fantastic places to eat, drink and shop.
Poised at the gateway to East Anglia with picturesque villages and only minutes away from the coast, the Colchester area is the perfect destination for a well-deserved short break, day trip or family holiday.
What to do in Colchester?
With Roman Ruins, a Norman Castle, and Civil War scars - Colchester's history can be explored without even leaving the town centre, but head further afield and discover even more!
With both a Zoo and a Castle Colchester is off to a great start for any adventurous children. There's more to see and do whatever the weather, and it doesn't have to break the bank.
With three theatres and several art galleries, including the internationally recognised Firstsite, Colchester is the cultural hub of Essex and the local region.
Constable Country and Mersea Island are on Colchester's doorstep, as well as several award winning parks, gardens and nature reserves, there's plenty of opportunity to explore the outdoors.
Explore the Beautiful Borough
There's more to Colchester than the historic town centre, with the borough covering more than 135 square miles of scenic Essex coast and countryside.
From island life on Mersea, jam-making in Tiptree, and the heart of Constable Country in the Dedham Vale, there's a wealth of small towns and villages just a short distance from Colchester's centre, all with their own unique character and stories to tell. Sometimes the smallest villages hold the most unlikely secrets!
Stay a few days, explore the Beautiful Borough of Colchester, and share your experiences with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the #BeautifulBorough hashtag.
Events in Colchester - Highlights
A Festival of Colchester 2019
Fri 23 Aug - Sun 15 Sep 2019
A new multi-discipline and heritage-based collaborative arts festival with a primary theme of Nursery Rhymes, Folklore and Storytelling.
Roman River Festival: Rural/Coastal Locations
Wed 11 - Sun 15 Sep 2019
The Roman River Festival returns to Colchester's Beautiful Borough
Heritage Open Day - St Botolph's Priory Fun Day
Sat 21 Sep 2019
Fun Day and Market in St Botolph's Priory
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 21 Sep 2019
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester. Meet at the Visit Colchester Information Centre
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
Sat 21 Sep 2019
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
Commemoration Service Op Market Garden 75
Sun 22 Sep 2019
A community service to mark the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden, the Battle of Arnhem, including prayers, readings, wreath/flower laying, two minutes silence, and a bugler playing the Last Post and Reveille.
Colchester Utd v Tottenham Hotspur
Tue 24 Sep 2019
Carabao Cup Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
Together We Grow: Apple Day
Sat 28 Sep 2019
All things apple at the BIG Garden in High Woods Country Park.
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 28 Sep 2019
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester. Meet at the Visit Colchester Information Centre
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 5 Oct 2019
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester. Meet at the Visit Colchester Information Centre
Colchester United v Stevenage
Sat 5 Oct 2019
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
Colchester United v Tottenham Hotspur U21s
Tue 8 Oct 2019
Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
More events around town
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Plan your visit
Colchester Visitor Information Centre
Tel: +44 (0) 1206 282920
Email: vic@colchester.gov.uk
