Famous as being Britains oldest recorded town, Colchester, situated in the county of Essex, receives millions of visitors each year.
Mixing old and new, this thriving historical, yet modern, town has plenty to offer visitors both young and old. Perfect for a day out, weekend away or even a family holiday, you will find Colchester has plenty of attractions to entertain children and lots of places of interest to keep adults amused.
If the night life is your scene and you are feeling energetic, you can choose from the many bars, pubs and clubs in the area, or maybe a more relaxing evening at the theatre or a comedy venue is more to your liking. If you are hungry, there is also a large variety of restaurants, bistros and cafes situated in and around town to choose from.
A few of the many reasons why you should visit Colchester:
Britains oldest recorded town
Steeped in history, explore the many museums dotted around the town, such as the Castle Museum, Hollytrees Museum, Natural History Museum or the Tymperleys Clock Museum, and brush up on your knowledge of the local area, or spend some pennies while wandering around the interesting shops located in the main and side streets. Colchester has it all when it comes to your shopping needs; from small, interesting, independent shops right through to big name high street stores.
Colchester Castle
Built on the remains of the Temple of Claudius, Colchester Castle, a museum since 1860, offers visitors an insight into 2000 years of some of the most important events in our countrys history. Located off the High Street, you will find the Castle set amongst the beautiful grounds of Castle Park. The park itself has two levels, known as Upper and Lower Castle Park.
The upper portion of the park is home to the Castle, a fish pond, childrens play area, crazy golf, putting green, caf and the Hollytrees Museum, while the lower portion houses a boating lake, cricket ground and relaxing riverside walks. The park is extremely well kept and offers a relaxing place to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of town life.
Colchester Zoo
One of the finest Zoos in Europe and recent winner of Large Visitor Attraction of the Year award from the East of England Tourist Board, Colchester Zoo spans 60 acres of beautiful parkland with over 270 species to see. With daily displays, indoor and outdoor childrens play areas, train rides and many more activities to keep you entertained, the zoo makes for a fun and exciting day out. When you visit Colchester, a visit to Colchester Zoo is a must.
The surrounding area
Colchester is the ideal place to base yourself when visiting north Essex.
Just a short drive from town you will come across Dedham, set in the heart of Constable Country. This beautiful village situated on the river Stour, on the Essex/Suffolk border, attracts visitors from all over the world and offers some breathtaking riverside walks. You can even hire a rowing boat and explore the river and scenery from a different perspective.
Also a short drive from Colchester, but this time towards the coast, is Mersea Island. Here you can enjoy fresh shellfish or fish & chips while sitting in the open and taking in the stunning views of the Blackwater estuary. On Mersea Island you will find a selection of pubs and restaurants, including the world famous Company Shed, a museum, cookery school and a vineyard & brewery to name just a few.
Visit Colchester and experience all that this wonderful area has to offer. We look forward to seeing you soon...
