Colchester is an interesting place to visit in Essex, with a long history, a town centre full of things to see and several attractions suitable for different types of visitor. It is also reasonably easy to reach from London and other parts of the south-east. Here are 10 good reasons to visit Colchester.
1. It was Britain’s first Roman city
Colchester has a particularly strong connection with Roman Britain. The Romans established a settlement here in AD 49, making it one of the oldest towns in Britain. Visitors can still see remains of the Roman wall, temple foundations and other archaeological features around the town.
2. Colchester Castle
Colchester Castle is one of the town’s best-known attractions. The castle was built in the 11th century and contains a museum with objects covering thousands of years of local history. It is a useful place to start if you want to understand how Colchester developed.
3. There is plenty of history
Colchester has considerably more history than might be expected from an ordinary visit to an Essex town. Roman, medieval and later buildings can all be found around the centre. There are also historic streets, churches and remains of the town’s old defences.
4. Castle Park is a pleasant place to walk
Castle Park provides a large green area close to the town centre. It is a suitable place for a walk, particularly if you have had enough of looking at old buildings and museums. The park also hosts events during the year.
5. Firstsite offers something different
Firstsite is a contemporary arts centre in the centre of Colchester. Its distinctive building and programme of exhibitions provide an alternative to the town’s historical attractions. Entry to many exhibitions and activities is free.
6. You can visit Colchester Zoo
Colchester Zoo is just outside the town and is one of the larger visitor attractions in the area. It has a wide range of animals and is particularly suitable for families looking for a full day out.
7. The town has good independent shops
Colchester has a mixture of familiar high-street names and smaller independent shops. The town centre includes shops selling clothes, books, food and other goods, while nearby areas offer more independent businesses.
8. There are plenty of places to eat
Visitors will find a reasonable choice of cafés, pubs and restaurants in and around the town centre. This makes Colchester fairly easy to visit for a day, as you can stop for lunch or a drink without having to travel elsewhere.
9. It is close to the Essex countryside
Colchester is surrounded by countryside and is not far from the Essex coast. This makes it possible to combine a town visit with a trip into the surrounding area. Dedham Vale and the villages of north Essex are also within reasonable travelling distance.
10. It makes a straightforward day trip
Perhaps the most practical reason to visit Colchester is that it is easy to fit into a day out. There is enough to see without requiring a long stay, but enough variety to make a weekend possible as well. With history, green spaces, culture, shopping and food all within or close to the town, there is a fairly good selection of things to do.
Colchester is not a city that needs to make a great deal of noise about itself. Its main attractions are fairly straightforward: a long history, Roman remains, a castle, parks, museums and access to the surrounding Essex countryside. For anyone interested in history or looking for an uncomplicated day out in Essex, Colchester is worth considering.
