Discover Colchester's history with a Friendly Expert Guide
One of the best ways to find out about the dramatic events that have taken place in Colchester is to take a guided walking tour led by a qualified Colchester Town Guide. We run weekly public tours on Saturdays throughout the year, but if you have a larger group, a group with complex needs or additional requirements, or want a bit more flexibility, you can also book a private tour on a date and time of your choosing.
We've put together a handy FAQ section for you below to help make your tour as seamless as possible:
What does a tour of Colchester cover?
Many customers booking a private tour choose to take our standard Camulodunum to Colchester tour, which covers 2000 years of history in Colchester and offers a general overview of the city through the ages. However, our tour guides have a broad range of interests and special skills and are always up for a challenge, so (within reason) we can can tailor a tour to the interests of you group. For history buffs, Roman Colchester and The Siege of Colchester are popular themes, but other topics our guides love include churches, local industry, railways, art and archaeology.
I love art! Can I Take a Guided Tours of Dedham and Constable Country?
Yes! The Dedham Vale National Landscape has inspired great painters and artists throughout the years including Constable, Gainsborough and Munnings. In the broader Constable Country area, you'll find The River Stour and Flatford Mill.
We have a small number of guides who are able to provide walking tours of Dedham and Constable Country. Get in touch to find out more.
Can I Book a Tour for Families, Children or School Groups?
Yes! Although our standard tours are suitable for the whole family, we can also offer special tours designed especially for children. These can range from fun history tours focusing on Colchester's gruesome past (think: Horrible Histories), to education tours covering themes such as Roman Colchester or The Siege of Colchester.
Is there a minimum age for a Guided Tour of Colchester?
No, there is not a minimum age for our guided walking tours of Colchester city. While you may face some cobbled pathways or steep hills around the city, little ones who require a pram or buggy are welcome to join the tour.
Can I Book a Tour if I'm in a Wheelchair?
Definitely! Plenty of visitors who require wheelchairs and mobility aids attend our tours. At the time of booking, please let us know of any accessibility requirements you have and we will be happy to adjust the route for your comfort.
Can I Book a Tour if I Have a Dog?
Absolutely. We'd recommend booking a private tour is you have a dog to make the most out of your tour and to avoid missing out on any important parts of the city's history; some of the stops featured on our public weekly Camulodunum to Colchester tour are not dog-friendly (including Upper Castle Park), but on a bespoke private tour, your guide can tailor the route to take you to adjacent dog-friendly paths and locations. Guide dogs are allowed on all guided walking tours.
Can I Book a Tour if I Don't Speak English?
Yes! We have a small number of foreign language speaking guides who are able to provide tours in the following languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish. Unfortunately we cannot guarantee guide availability so these tours may not always be available, but please contact us for more information.
How long does a tour of Colchester last?
The standard tour lasts approximately 1hr 45 minutes and the time for custom tours may vary; for longer tours, an additional charge may apply.
How much does a tour of Colchester cost?
A private tour of Colchester has a starting price of £80 for up to 10 people. Additional people are charged at the standard rate of £8 per adult and £5.00 per child.
Please note that for groups significantly over 20 people, it may be easier to split into two separate parties with two different guides. There is no extra charge if the group needs to be split and an extra guide is required.
Guides for Coach Parties
Whilst we are happy to provide guides to lead bespoke walking tours for your coach party, we unfortunately cannot provide guides to join your group on the coach as you travel.
But don't worry - even if we can't join you on your adventures, we can still help to set you up for a successful journey! We've created some handy information pages with information about travelling as a group on our website. Be sure to look into our Group Travel Incentive Scheme as it offers some excellent benefits, including Free Reserved Parking and discounts.
