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.
The council will be reviewing these closures on a regular basis and will look to reopen them as soon as possible within Government guidelines regarding COVID-19.
Attractions have temporarily closed their doors and event organisers have now cancelled or postponed events in line with Government guidelines. We are trying to keep all information on the website up to date, but we would advise contacting the venue or business directly for the latest information. You may also find helpful information on our twitter feed: www.twitter.com/visitcolchester
Check out our Colchester from Home page packed with ideas to help bring a taste of Colchester direct to your home.
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.
Plan your visit
