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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

The Old Library, with Reinoud Ford, The Consone Quartet and Tom Hodgkinson

Roman River Music presents a Spring concert series in the Old Library, behind Colchester Town Hall.

Castle grounds with a jumping pillow in the foreground

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

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…

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…

Beth Chatto Gardens

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

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…

Walking Tours - Book Now Graphic

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

Mehdi Jalalaghdamian: Art In Exile

Firstsite presents a special year-long exhibition by Iranian rug maker, Mehdi Jalalaghdamian…

a portrait of a woman with blonde hair, beside a teapot.

Art Exhibition at Firstsite

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…

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,…

"Artfund Museum of the Year 2021 - Winner"

Firstsite is Colchester's contemporary art gallery and winner of the Artfund Museum of the Year,…

Colchester Orbital

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

Colchester Castle

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

Hidden Colchester

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

Hollytrees House framed by Wisteria

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

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…

The Mercury Theatre, with Jumbo Water Tower in the background

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

Pompeii Murmillo Gladiator helmet © The Trustees of the British Museum

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

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

Wivenhoe Quayside

Wivenhoe Quayside

Enjoy a drink by the river

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

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

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

The Balkerne Gate

The Colchester Town Centre Skyline

The Colchester Town Centre Skyline

Jumbo and The Town Hall in Silhouette

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Explore West Mersea Beach

Jumbo and The Balkerne Gate in Colchester Town Centre

Jumbo and The Balkerne Gate in Colchester Town Centre

Town 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.

More Highlights

They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay

A ferociously funny political farce, at the Mercury Theatre

The Story of Britain’s First Town Wall

Devised by the Colchester Archaeological Trust, this new exhibition at The Minories Galleries will…

Paul T Davies: Bury Me In Colchester Mud

Revived and performed as part of the cultural celebrations of Colchester being granted City status,…

Sap

A contemporary thriller with ancient roots, at the Mercury Theatre.

Track Markers: Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition

In collaboration with Colchester Arts Society we are thrilled to announce our first sculpture…

Dino Discovery Day at Colchester Zoo

Dinosaur meet and greets at Colchester Zoo

A picture of Colchester Castle with a Jester's hat superimposed on one of the towers

Try and beat the Jolly Jester by taking part in their activity trail!

Market stalls outside Jumbo water tower

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

Steam Train

Steam Trains at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Lamb Season at Layer Marney Tower

Feed the baby lambs at Layer Marney Tower

Children modelling with clay

Join us in the stunning Georgian townhouse Hollytrees Museum for some eggcelent easter craft…

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

Unlimited Diesel Rides at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Easter Adventures at Bourne Mill

Come and join the Easter fun at Bourne Mill with our children's activity Easter egg trail, stories,…

Life size Thomas  at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Join Thomas & Friends for family fun at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Sara Pascoe

Comedy at Charter Hall

Open Day at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre

ROMAN OPEN DAY with the Colchester Roman Society

John Kearns - The Varnishing Days

Stand Up Comedy at Colchester Arts Centre

Around the World in 80 Days

Join this raggle-taggle band of travelling circus performers as they embark on their most daring…

The Old Library, with the Consone Quartet

Roman River Music presents one of the most exciting young string quartets in the UK

Late Night Opening

This spring we are delighted to open the reserve for a series of late nights for you to enjoy the…

Stewart Lee – Basic Lee

One man, one microphone and one microphone in the wings in case the one on stage breaks

Jane's Walk Colchester

Colchester's annual community walking festival returns for 2023

Great Expectations

Charles Dickens’ best-loved novel is brought to life on stage at the Mercury Theatre.

Bourne Valley Crafters Spring Fair

The beautiful Elizabethan watermill hosts a craft fair offering a wide range of quality and unusual…

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