Colchester Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Layer Marney Tower showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and a castle
Visit one of Britain’s oldest towns to discover historical treasures, such as Roman remains and Norman churches, alongside cutting-edge art galleries and family entertainment.

Colchester locals will proudly tell you that their city is Britain’s oldest recorded Roman town. Its history actually goes back much farther than that, but it was the Romans who shaped “Camulodunum,” as they called it. Today, you can still see the remains of a Roman wall in the city center.

More than two millennia of habitation have left the city other impressive historic sites as well. The imposing Colchester Castle and churches such as St. Botolph’s Priory are examples of more recent architecture. Modern attractions abound too, so visit galleries and indulge in some shopping in the lively town center after your tour of the heritage sites.

Part of Colchester’s appeal is that most of the major attractions are located within walking distance from the city center. Start at the VisitColchester Information Centre and pick up all the maps and information you need. Head to Colchester Castle Park and you’ll find the Castle Museum and Hollytrees Museum within its grounds. On and around High Street you can choose between the Colchester Natural History Museum, contemporary art galleries such as Firstsite and The Minories, and architectural feats such as the Colchester Town Hall.

On a sunny day, enjoy a walk around the Beth Chatto Gardens or a visit to the Colchester Zoo where you can feed elephants and giraffes. Also explore the nearby countryside, which the famous English painter John Constable captured so well.

Start your evening in one of the many fine restaurants in the city center and end the night attending a performance at the Mercury Theatre or mingling with locals in one of the many pubs.

Nearby attractions in the Essex countryside include the splendid Tudor structure known as the Layer Marney Tower.

Colchester is just over 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of London. The nearest international airport is at Stansted, which is located 34 miles (55 kilometers) west of Colchester. You’ll need to wear warm clothes for a winter visit to Colchester, but it is one of the driest places in the U.K. With so much to see and do, you’ll enjoy your stay in Colchester whatever the weather.

Holiday Inn Express Colchester, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Colchester, an IHG Hotel
2.5 out of 5
Birchwood Road, Colchester, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £52 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
£52
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Colchester. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Popular attractions Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Lovely staff, very friendly and helpful, clean hotel"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Express Colchester, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Colchester, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Colchester, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Abbotts Lane, Eight Ash Green, Colchester, England
The price is £53 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
£53
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (927 reviews)
Great little stop off on the A12
"Staff - incredible. Helpful and personal - I have 2 children and the staff were really engaging. Room - perfect for what we needed. Restaurant - again, exactly what we needed and recommend the breakfast too. Facilities - swimming great!"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Colchester, an IHG Hotel
St Nicholas Hotel
St Nicholas Hotel
3 out of 5
High Street St Nicholas Hotel, Colchester, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £63 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
£63
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and on-site parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (532 reviews)
"Great staff!! Should think about doing buffet breakfast instead of ordering breakfast at the table!!?? Just a thought"

Reviewed on 22 Mar 2024

St Nicholas Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Luxurious 4-Bed with HotTub and Dual Living Areas
Luxurious 4-Bed with HotTub and Dual Living Areas
Colchester, England
Stay at this holiday home in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, on-site parking and a garden. Popular attractions High Woods Country Park and Tenpin Bowling Colchester ...
Luxurious 4-Bed with HotTub and Dual Living Areas
Waterfront Cottage in the lovely village of Rowhedge, near Mersea Island
Waterfront Cottage in the lovely village of Rowhedge, near Mersea Island
Colchester, ENG
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, on-site parking and a garden. Popular attractions Gosfield Lake Golf Club and Wyvernwood ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (124 reviews)
Wonderful location
"Wonderful location next to the estuary. Beautiful views of changing tides. Fully equipped cottage."

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2024

Waterfront Cottage in the lovely village of Rowhedge, near Mersea Island
Sea Views at this Grade II Listed Cottage with Baby Grand Piano (Pet Friendly)
Sea Views at this Grade II Listed Cottage with Baby Grand Piano (Pet Friendly)
West Mersea, Essex
Stay at this cottage in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, on-site parking and a garden. Popular attractions Abberton Reservoir and St. Peter-on-the-Wall are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (78 reviews)
Bags of Character.
"Lovely position with ample parking. House has bags of character. Tall guests will need to mind their heads! As a house that allows pets, a few of us suffered mild allergic symptoms. Entirely my fault however as it is advertised as such but worthwhile mentioning if your group has allergies. Great ..."

Reviewed on 7 Dec 2023

Sea Views at this Grade II Listed Cottage with Baby Grand Piano (Pet Friendly)
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Colchester

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
56
" "5 - Excellent 28.8659793814433%
4 - Good
98
" "4 - Good 50.51546391752577%
3 - Okay
32
" "3 - Okay 16.49484536082474%
2 - Disappointing
7
" "2 - Disappointing 3.6082474226804124%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.5154639175257731%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Feb 2020

Colchester is a cool little place. With a fantastic history

4/5 - Good

Christine
14 Feb 2020

Got a ticket for driving in a bus lane, we were concentrating on SatNav and were unaware! Watch out when driving.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
2 Feb 2020

Plenty to do and many great places to eat

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
26 Jan 2020

Good for food and drinks

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
16 Jan 2020

Got a really lovely meal from wetherspoons in the centre of colchester.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
7 Jan 2020

Come here for university

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