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Colchester has a colourful history dating back over two thousand years. It's a history you can share by visiting the city's award-winning museums where you can see collections of international importance including the Fenwick Treasure and Colchester Mercury (pictured).
As Britain's First City and the former capital of Roman Britain Colchester has many important and unique Roman sites and ruins, but a lengthy history means there is plenty to discover from other eras of English History including the Normans, Tudors and Victorians who all contributed to Colchester's story, as well as the English Civil War which made significant marks on the city that can still be clearly seen today.
Historic Places to Visit in Colchester
Alongside Colchester Castle Museum, you can discover the history and heritage of Colchester at numerous attractions around the city. From the ruins of the country's 
oldest church to the winding streets of the Dutch Quarter where Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was written, there are stories to be found and discoveries to be made around every corner.
Visit the only known Roman Circus in Britain, or learn about the social history of the city in Hollytrees Museum, if you're interested in history then you'll need more than just a day-trip to fit in everything Colchester has to offer - why not stay for a few days in one of our historic hotels?
Historic Places beyond the City Centre
Many of Colchester's nearby villages boast a history that is just as fascinating as Colchester's story.
Take a short car journey, or brief hop on public transport and you could discover Britain's largest Tudor Gateway in Layer Marney or the landscapes and buildings immortalised by some of England's finest painters scattered throughout Constable Country and the Dedham Vale.
The history and heritage of this part of Essex and East Anglia is as widespread as it is ancient, and it is all easily accessible from Colchester.
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Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum- 1 Jan 202331 Dec 2023
- An important part of Colchester's rich history with three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718.
- 1 Jan 202331 Dec 2023
Number of results: 41
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Colchester
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe and houses the town's main museum
Address
Essex, CO2 7EZTelephone
01206 282920Dating from the 15th century this fine flint flushwork gatehouse just off St John's Green has a vaulted interior. It was the entrance to St John's Abbey precinct (demolished during the 16th century Reformation).
Address
Paycockes, 25 West Street, Coggeshall, Essex, CO6 1NSTelephone
01376 561305Coggeshall
Built in the 16th century, this attractive half-timbered house is a grand example of wealth generated by the cloth trade.
Colchester
The theatre mentioned in Tacitus' account of the Boudican attack on Colchester was probably on the same site as the later theatre excavated in Maidenburgh Street in 1981-2.
Address
Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZTelephone
01206 322127Colchester
Explore the life and work of renown British artist Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) in his former home and studio.
Colchester
An important part of Colchester's rich history with three centuries of fascinating toys, costume, clocks and decorative arts displayed in an attractive Georgian town house from 1718.
Colchester
Colchester's Roman Wall is the oldest and longest surviving town wall in Britain.
Address
Roman Circus Visitor Centre, Roman Circus Walk, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7GZTelephone
01206 501785Colchester
The site of the Colchester Roman circus (chariot-racing arena) was discovered in 2004. It was built in the early 2nd century CE and seems to have been in use for about 150 years. It is the only known Roman circus in Britain.
Address
Wakes Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6 2DFColchester
Rising up from the horizon on the A1124 you will see the imposing Chappel Viaduct. The Victorian viaduct, with its 32 arches and total length of 346 metres, is thought to be the second largest brick built structure in England.
Address
Flatford: Bridge Cottage, Flatford, East Bergholt, Nr Ipswich, Suffolk, CO7 6ULTelephone
01206 298260East Bergholt, Nr Ipswich
A delightful 16th century cottage just minutes from Flatford Mill. Why not visit our Constable exhibition then sit by the river and enjoy a freshly baked cake at the National Trust tea room and find a gift in our shop.
Copford Green
Celebrated 12th century apsidal church with magnificent colour medieval wall paintings, showing a strong Byzantine influence in content and design as well as technical excellence and lavishness of execution.
Address
Mersea Island Museum, High Street, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8QDTelephone
01206 385191Colchester
Exhibits of Mersea's social history, natural history, archaeology and fishing industry, including a fisherman's cottage display. Special exhibitions and gift shop.
Colchester
Located just north of the High Street and includes: Maidenburgh Street, West Stockwell Street, East Stockwell Street, Stockwell Street, St Helen's Lane, Northgate Street and Nunn's Road.
Address
Tiptree Tea Room, Shop & Museum, Wilkin & Sons Ltd, Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester, Essex, CO5 0RFTelephone
01621 814524Factory Hill, Tiptree, Colchester
Tiptree is the home of the Wilkin family - where from 1885 the first Tiptree jam was made. Delightful museum, tea room and gift shop.
Address
Bourne Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8RTTelephone
01206 549799Colchester
National Trust property, the mill was originally built as a fishing lodge in 1591 and features stepped "Dutch" gables. There is a millpond and some of the machinery, including the waterwheel which is intact and working.
Colchester
Get up close to nature as you discover an interesting perspective on the local natural environment from the Ice Age right up to today.Explore the garden trail and stag beetle exhibition.
Colchester
For over 50 years the East Anglian Railway Museum has been transporting visitors of all ages back in time to discover the unique history of the region’s railways.
Colchester
Magnificent Tudor building with the tallest Gatehouse in Britain and 16th century Italianate terracotta. Climb the tower, visit the gardens, outbuildings dolls house, church and farm animals. Cafe and shop.
Address
Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester, Essex, CO2 9NWColchester
16th century chapel, built as the burial place for the Audley family.
Address
Layer Marney, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PTColchester
Jumbo Water Tower was built in 1883 and once provided clean water to Colchester Town Centre. Today it stands empty and is no longer open to the public, but it still a great source of civic pride to local residents. Named after London Zoo's Jumbo…
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