Welcome to Colchester!

The cover of Colchester's 2024 Visitor Guide, depicting a concrete mural of a Roman soldier

Having once been Britain's First City and the former capital of Roman Britain our incredible history dates back over 2000 years. On a visit to the city you'll discover that the historic centre is ripe for exploring, with important heritage sites to be found around every corner.

Colchester was recently gifted modern city status, confirming that we're not all about the past. 21st Century Colchester is also a thriving, modern destination with first class visitor attractions, and cultural sites, as well as fantastic places to eat, drink and shop.

 

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Beyond the city centre you can discover popular destinations including Mersea Island and Constable Country in the Dedham Vale, as well as the highly regarded Colchester Zoo.

Poised at the gateway to East Anglia with picturesque villages on its doorstep, 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.

Places to Visit

Check out our most popular attractions including Colchester Zoo and the Castle Museum!

What's On

From pop-up markets to huge summer festivals, check out our What's On guide.

Places to Stay

Boutique or budget - there's accommodation options for every taste in Colchester.

Event Highlights

Attraction Highlights

Castle Park

Colchester's Castle Park is a large, scenic and well maintained Victorian park in the heart of…

Firstsite

Firstsite is Colchester and the East of England's contemporary visual arts gallery. Housed in a…

WyvernWood

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

 

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