Coronavirus (COVID-19)
From Thursday 19th March all of Colchester Borough Council’s building are to be closed to the public, as part of the steps to combat the spread of COVID-19. As a result, Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum will be closed for the foreseeable future. This decision follows the advice from the Government on mass gatherings and around self-isolation, which will have an impact on the levels of council employees available to staff the venues.
The council will be reviewing these closures on at least a weekly basis and will look to reopen them as soon as possible within Government guidelines regarding COVID-19.
During the coming weeks it may not be possible for us to keep opening hours and event listings as accurate as we would like on visitcolchester.com. We strongly advise checking ahead with venues and events before travelling. You may also find helpful information on our twitter feed: www.twitter.com/visitcolchester
Click here for the latest news on the council’s work to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Click here for the latest public health guidance visit
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
Tell me the story of all these things *CLOSED*
Sat 28 Mar - Sun 28 Jun 2020
Exhbition featuring artworks made by some of Britain’s best-known artists - selected by radical women of Colchester. *CLOSED*
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 4 Apr 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
Rotten Romans and Naughty Normans *CANCELLED*
Sat 4 Apr 2020
Guided Walk for families of gruesome Colchester history
Days Out With Thomas *MUSEUM CLOSED*
Fri 10 - Mon 13 Apr 2020
Celebrate Thomas' 75th Birthday year at the East Anglian Railway Museum
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 11 Apr 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
Colchester United v Oldham Athletic
Mon 13 Apr 2020
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 18 Apr 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 25 Apr 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
Colchester United v Forest Green Rovers
Sat 25 Apr 2020
League 2 Football at the Weston Homes Community Stadium
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 2 May 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
Colchester Through the Keyhole1901-911 *CANCELLED*
Sun 3 May 2020
Who lived in a town like this? Take a peek behind the doors of the homes and shops in Colchester town centre at the turn of the twentieth century
Guided Walk - Colchester: 1945 *CANCELLED*
Fri 8 May 2020
Join your costumed guide to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 9 May 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 16 May 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 23 May 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
Sausage & Cider Festival
Sat 23 May 2020
Sausage & Cider Fest arrives for the first time in Colchester! Join us for over 25+ amazing craft ciders and over 15 different types of sausage flavours!
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 30 May 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
CANCELLED - Guided Walk: Camulodunum to Colchester
Sat 6 Jun 2020
Guided Walking Tours of Colchester departing from the Visitor Information Centre
Guided Walk - The Siege of Colchester *CANCELLED*
Sat 6 Jun 2020
Return to 1648 to a Colchester under siege from General Fairfax and the Parliamentarian Army.
More events around town
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Plan your visit
