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 and is ripe for exploring.
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
Antony Gormley: Field for the British Isles
Fri 15 Nov 2019 - Sun 8 Mar 2020
Experience this vast and iconic artwork at Firstsite
Colchester United v Bradford City
Tue 21 Jan 2020
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 25 Jan 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester depating from the Visitor Information Centre
Frank Turner Acoustic Show
Sun 26 Jan 2020
Charity gig by the folk-punk troubador, at Colchester Arts Centre
Colchester United v Swindon Town
Tue 28 Jan 2020
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
Colchester Winter Ale Festival
Wed 29 Jan - Sat 1 Feb 2020
Colchester Arts Centre's Beer Festival returns
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 1 Feb 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester depating from the Visitor Information Centre
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 8 Feb 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester depating from the Visitor Information Centre
Colchester United v Plymouth Argyle
Sat 8 Feb 2020
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
Colchester United v Grimsby Town
Tue 11 Feb 2020
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 15 Feb 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester depating from the Visitor Information Centre
Guided Walk: From Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 22 Feb 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester depating from the Visitor Information Centre
More events around town
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Plan your visit
