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Discover the City of Colchester

  1. 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…

80's Calling: The Human League plus very special guests

80s Calling! is one of the most exciting events to join the city’s summer music calendar, featuring…

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…

Castle grounds with a jumping pillow in the foreground

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

The Mercury Theatre, with Jumbo Water Tower in the background

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

Walking Tours - Book Now Graphic

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

Cyclists racing up East Hill

Come and cheer on the cyclists in this year's Ride London Classique as stage one finishes in…

Beth Chatto Gardens

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

Hidden Colchester

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

Colchester Orbital

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

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…

Two Reticulated Giraffe

Colchester Zoo is set within over 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes and is home to over 155…

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…

Am image of the 2024 Guide with a prompt to 'request your copy now'.

The official Visitor Guide to Colchester, packed with lots of information on places to visit,…

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.

Hollytrees House framed by Wisteria

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

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

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

The Colchester City Centre Skyline

The Colchester City Centre Skyline

Jumbo and The Town Hall in Silhouette

Wivenhoe Quayside

Wivenhoe Quayside

Enjoy a drink by the river

The Chappel Viaduct

The Chappel Viaduct

Explore the Beautiful Borough

Discover Constable Country

Discover Constable Country

The River Stour in The Dedham Vale

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Mersea Island Beach Huts

Explore West Mersea Beach

The ruins of St Botolph's Priory

The ruins of St Botolph's Priory

Discover what remains of Britain's first Augustinian priory.

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

Walk through 2000 years of history at the Balkerne Gate

The Balkerne Gate

Medieval Wall Paintings in Copford Church

Medieval Wall Paintings in Copford Church

Copford Church

More Highlights

David Lock: In-between Us

'In-between Us' seeks to examine identity and masculinities, challenging social constructs and…

Wooden puppet and toy rocket

Embark on a nostalgic journey through the enchanting world of puppetry with our exhibition,…

Bluebells at High Woods Country Park

Pick up a map from the Visitor Centre and find the best bluebell areas in the park to explore

the comedy network

Live comedy at the Mercury Theatre

Young girl holding a magnifying glass

Designed for children aged 2 1/2 to 4, along with their parents, grandparents, and carers, these…

Frank Skinner

Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe and 7-nights at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West…

Folk & Bespoke Craft Fair

Handmade shopping day for gifts and crafts at Firstsite Art Gallery.

Colchester Farmers Market

Every month we now have a wonderful line up of nearly 30 stalls joining us selling a fantastic…

A steam train

A firm favourite with families, they're a great opportunity to visit the Museum and have a ride in…

An Orangutan

Join us as we celebrate our charity, Colchester Zoological Society and the vital conservation work…

Transport Extravaganza at the East Anglian Railway Museum

Classic cars, vintage motorbikes and modern head-turners, alongside the museum exhibits and FREE…

Large Reptile

Did you know… the Aldabra Giant Tortoise can live up to 150 years! Join us as we share all things…

Roman soildier and knight with shields and swords

Join the festivities at the Colchester Roman and Medieval Festival.

Bindweed

A Mercury Original in co-production with HighTide and New Wolsey Theatre, in association with the…

Father's Day Steam & Supercar Show

Father's Day Steam Unlimited Steam Train Rides Come along this Father's Day for Steam Train Rides,…

Midsummer In Castle Park

Explore glorious Castle Park

Vintage steam train and fire engine

Come and get up close and personal to a display of buses, trucks, military vehicles, fire engines,…

The Colchester Food & Drink Festival

Join us in Colchester’s beautiful Castle Park for another year of our Food & Drink Festival. There…

2 ladies in traditional dress in the carnival parade

A dazzling celebration of Colchester's vibrant tapestry.

Leafy Lexden  Guided Tour

Explore Colchester's Lexden area on a guided tour.

Delightful Dedham Guided Tour

Pull on your walking boots to explore beautiful Dedham set in the heart of Constable Country.

Day Out With Thomas

Join Thomas & Friends for family fun at the East Anglian Railway Museum. Take a train ride with…

Chappel 2024 Beer Festival

The much-loved Chappel Beer Festival returns to the East Anglian Railway Museum

An excited lady with an oversized head drives a car along Colchester High Street.

Race your kart along Colchester High Street!

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