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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

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…

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,…

Will Teather's Globe in Colchester Castle

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

Colchester Castle

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

"Artfund Museum of the Year 2021 - Winner"

Firstsite is Colchester's contemporary art gallery.

Walking Tours - Book Now Graphic

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

The Mercury Theatre, with Jumbo Water Tower in the background

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

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…

Beth Chatto Gardens

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

Colchester Orbital

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

Hollytrees House framed by Wisteria

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

Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games

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

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…

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…

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…

Hidden Colchester

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

Wivenhoe Quayside

Wivenhoe Quayside

Enjoy a drink by the river

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Explore West Mersea Beach

Discover Constable Country

Discover Constable Country

The River Stour in The Dedham Vale

Medieval Wall Paintings in Copford Church

Medieval Wall Paintings in Copford Church

Copford Church

A Fresh Catch of Oysters on Mersea Island

A Fresh Catch of Oysters on Mersea Island

Oysters

Jumbo and The Balkerne Gate in Colchester City Centre

Jumbo and The Balkerne Gate in Colchester City Centre

City Centre Shopping

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

The Balkerne Gate

The ruins of St Botolph's Priory

The ruins of St Botolph's Priory

Discover what remains of Britain's first Augustinian priory.

The Chappel Viaduct

The Chappel Viaduct

Explore the Beautiful Borough

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

The Colchester City Centre Skyline

The Colchester City Centre Skyline

Jumbo and The Town Hall in Silhouette

More Highlights

Sleeping Beauty

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

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

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

Christmas Open Evening at Colchester Castle

FREE Open Evening at Colchester Castle!

Late Wednesdays promotional graphic

Late night shopping returns to Colchester Town Centre for Christmas 2023

Ed Gamble, Fern Brady, Jen Brister, Josh Pugh, Kyrah Gray – Live At Christmas

It’s nearly Christmas and the country’s best comedians are coming to Colchester's Charter Hall.

Colchester First Thursdays

A free monthly event with fantastic performances, workshops and interactive experiences

Colchester Makerspace Christmas Market

Local craftspeople, including ceramacists and printmakers sell their wares.

Reindeer at Colchester Zoo

Christmas magic at Colchester Zoo

Jumbo Water Tower

For a limited time, North Essex Heritage is offering tours inside, and to the top of, Jumbo!

Festive Day Out With Thomas 2023 (Inc. Santa)

Christmas capers at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Meet Father Christmas at Colchester Castle

Colchester Castle’s magical grotto is back for 2023!

A Charlie Brown Christmas

An extra special evening of Christmas music, performed by film and TV animation composer Jason…

A Market Stall selling sweets in front of Colchester Town Hall.

The Colchester Christmas Market is back featuring a pedestrianised High Street, live music, street…

The Minories Festive Market

Stalls from artists, makers, and craftspeople, plus live music and food.

Army Benevolent Fund Essex Christmas Concert 2023

The Army Benevolent Fund's Essex Committee are delighted to host the annual much-loved Essex…

Sh!t Theatre: Sing-a-long-a Muppet Christmas Carol

An extra special evening of Christmas music, performed by film and TV animation composer Jason…

Darth Vader's Galactic Grotto

Darth Vader has felt your presents, and will now listen to your Christmas wishes.

John Cooper Clarke

Local poets of some repute peform their annual Christmas show. The hottest ticket in town!

Colchester's Town Hall

Join your costumed guide to discover the many ways in which the townsfolk of Victorian Colchester…

Colchester Christmas Evening Market

From the people that bring you Colchester's monthly Farmer's Market, a special festive evening…

The Messiah at Layer Marney Tower

George Frederic Handel's wonderful Messiah performed at Layer Marney Tower

Mediaeval Baebes

After the success of last year’s ‘MydWynter’ tour and dark seasonal album, the classical…

Theatre of Widdershins: The GIngerbread Man & A Pot Full of Magic

Festive Family Puppetry at Colchester Arts Centre

A Christmas Carol by Candlelight

Colchester Arts Centre Director Anthony Roberts’ traditional rendition of the Dickens classic, with…

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