Colchester

Colchester is a town in Essex, East Anglia. Home to the University of Essex, the Colchester Institute and an Army Garrison, and with its attractive old buildings, Roman wall, castle and proximity to Constable country, Colchester is an interesting place to visit.

Colchester is a picturesque provincial town in the county of Essex, and the geographical region of East Anglia. It is commonly regarded as the "oldest recorded town" in England (due to being mentioned by Roman author Pliny).

It was the capital of the Celtic tribe Trinovantes until it was conquered by Claudius's army in 43 AD and became the first Roman capital - and Britain's first city. Known as Camulodunum, it was burned to the ground by Boudicca's Iceni tribe approximately two decades later.

Boudicca and her 100,000-strong army were soon defeated, but Colchester never returned to prominence in Roman Britain, becoming instead a settlement for ex-legionaries.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Colchester then passed through the hands of the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and was home to the royalists during the month-long siege of the English Civil War. Some modern historians often speculate that "Camelot" could actually be a misspeling of "Camulod(unum)" by an early chronicler unaware of the name change to "Colchester".

The town's main attraction is the Norman castle, founded by William the Conqueror himself, on the foundations of the earlier Roman Temple of Divine Emperor Claudius. It bears similarities to the Tower of London, which was built at the same time.

The town also boasts Roman walls, Saxon and Norman churches, countless timber-framed houses, buildings still showing bullet-holes and scars from the Civil War, and also the oldest Victorian water tower in Britain, known locally as Jumbo.

• Colchester Castle. The largest Norman keep in Britain, build on the foundations of the Roman temple to Claudius it has the town centre on one side and landscaped gardens on the other. The museum covers the extensive history of Britain's oldest recorded town, from pre-Roman times, Boudicca's rebellion, the Norman invasion, medieval witch hunts, the civil war and up to the present day. Guided tours of the Roman foundations and Norman roof take place at set times throughout the day for a small fee. There is a restaurant and gift shop.
• Castle Park. Daily 7:30AM-evening (locked overnight). A fairly large park in the grounds of Colchester castle. Annual events held there include cricket matches (there is a cricket week every year when Essex CC play visiting counties), music festivals and a fireworks display in November.
• Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Stanway, CO3 0SL. Makes an interesting day out for the family. With some of the best cat and primate collections in Europe, and recent winner of the 'Large Visitor Attraction of the Year' Award, it's well worth a visit.

Colchester is home to 3 museums, each one housed in a different beautiful old building and offering a different insight into the history behind Colchester. It is also home to 2 galleries, each offering a distinct approach to the presentation of art and housed in beautiful neighbouring buildings, one contemporary and one historic:

• The Castle Museum, Castle Park, CO1 1TJ, +44 1206 282939. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM, last admission 4:30PM. Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Archaeological collections of international quality covering 2,500 years of history are beautifully showcased, including some of the most important Roman finds in Britain. Adult £7.75 children (4-16) or concessions £4.80, family ticket (2 adults 2 children) £21.00.
• The Hollytrees Museum, Castle Park, CO1 1UG, +44 1206 282940. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, closed on Sundays. A beautiful Georgian building presenting domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Find out about the origin of the famous nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - which was written in Colchester! Free admission.
• The Natural History Museum, High St, Colchester, CO1 1DN, +44 1206 282941. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change. Free.
• The Minories, 74 High Street, CO1 1UE, +44 1206 612428. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, closed on Sundays. The Minories is Colchester's oldest art gallery, opening its doors to the public in 1956. It shows a diverse range of contemporary art and design by artists and makers from the eastern region as well as historic work that relates to Colchester. It has a beautiful walled garden (perhaps Colchester's best kept secret) and a cafe serving good quality homemade local produce. Free.
• Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, CO1 1JH, +44 1206 577067. 10AM-5PM. Contemporary visual arts centre with exhibitions and workshops located in a new building. Also a restaurant.

The Castle Museum, Castle Park, CO1 1TJ, +44 1206 282939. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM, last admission 4:30PM. Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Archaeological collections of international quality covering 2,500 years of history are beautifully showcased, including some of the most important Roman finds in Britain. Adult £7.75 children (4-16) or concessions £4.80, family ticket (2 adults 2 children) £21.00.

The Hollytrees Museum, Castle Park, CO1 1UG, +44 1206 282940. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, closed on Sundays. A beautiful Georgian building presenting domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Find out about the origin of the famous nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - which was written in Colchester! Free admission.

The Natural History Museum, High St, Colchester, CO1 1DN, +44 1206 282941. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change. Free.

The Minories, 74 High Street, CO1 1UE, +44 1206 612428. M-Sa 10AM-5PM, closed on Sundays. The Minories is Colchester's oldest art gallery, opening its doors to the public in 1956. It shows a diverse range of contemporary art and design by artists and makers from the eastern region as well as historic work that relates to Colchester. It has a beautiful walled garden (perhaps Colchester's best kept secret) and a cafe serving good quality homemade local produce. Free.

Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, CO1 1JH, +44 1206 577067. 10AM-5PM. Contemporary visual arts centre with exhibitions and workshops located in a new building. Also a restaurant.

A small island in the estuary of the River Blackwater. The northern end of the island is mostly made up of marshland but there are three settlements on the southern half - Barrow Hill (which consists of several houses along a road), East Mersea (a small collection of farms, a post office, a pub, a couple of tacky holiday parks and an outdoor youth centre) and West Mersea, a small fishing town most notable for it's seafood, fish and chips, countless pubs, a few small independent shops and a Co-op supermarket. It is quite a pleasant place to wander around with many miles of beaches. The island can be reached by car along the B1025 from Colchester (approx 9 miles) and crossing the Strood causeway (which was built by the Romans) onto the island. During high tides, the causeway is likely to flood which effectively cuts off the island from the rest of society as it is the only road access. Only spring tides (as opposed to neap tides ) will flood the Strood and these normally occur when high tide is midday/early afternoon though weather conditions can affect the times, height and duration of the access being flooded. Bus service 67 runs every 30 minutes from Colchester Bus Station to West Mersea High Street (some peak hour services also pick up/drop off at Colchester North rail station), although as it is the only public transport option the fare is very high (roughly £4 single, £6 return), meaning that it is cheaper to travel to Chelmsford from Colchester by bus, which is roughly 3 times as far. Journey time is roughly 30–40 minutes depending on the route taken and the time of day. There are no buses to East Mersea other than school services. During the summer there is a ferry service from East Mersea to Point Clear and Brightlingsea on the Tendring peninsular.

The island is also known for its oyster beds and local oysters are served several specialist restaurants on Coast Road, West Mersea.

• West Mersea Oyster Bar, Coast Road, West Mersea, CO5 8LT (at junction of Coast Rd and Victory Rd, +44 1206 381600. Opening times vary through year; check web site. £12.

West Mersea Oyster Bar, Coast Road, West Mersea, CO5 8LT (at junction of Coast Rd and Victory Rd, +44 1206 381600. Opening times vary through year; check web site. £12.

Once a small fishing town on the River Colne to the south of Colchester, Wivenhoe is now a suburb separated from the rest of the town by the University of Essex. It has grown considerably over the last few years as it has become a popular place for London commuters to live because of the good rail links. However, the waterfront area and the High Street are still very traditional with lots of small independent shops, restaurants, pubs, a fish and chip shop and a Co-op supermarket. Wivenhoe can be reached in about 20 minutes by car by taking the A133 out of town past the university and then taking the Wivenhoe exit. There is free parking just off of the High Street and outside the Co-op supermarket, as well as long-stay Pay and Display parking at the train station. (Note that cars cannot use Boundary Road at the University as a shortcut as barriers restrict access to buses and university traffic). Trains run every 30 minutes from Colchester North to Wivenhoe, and every hour from Colchester Town. Buses 61 and 62 run every 10 minutes from Colchester High Street to Wivenhoe. Service 61 takes a very indirect route. Wivenhoe can also be easily reached by foot or cycle along the Wivenhoe Cycle Trail which starts from Colchester Castle Park, runs through the Hythe and along the river, ending up at Wivenhoe Station.

• Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, CO2 8RT, +44 1206 549799. Late March to Oct: W-Su Bank Holidays 11AM-5PM. Picturesque watermill with working waterwheel. A delightful piece of late Elizabethan playfulness. Built for banquets and converted into a mill in the 19th century. Just a mile south of Colchester sits Bourne Mill, a grade 1 listed building steeped in history. It was built as a fishing lodge in 1591, converted to a fulling mill around 1640 and then converted to a corn mill in about 1840, which continued working until the 1930s. It is well worth a visit for all the family. Bourne Mill is set in tranquil grounds, next to a millpond and babbling stream. The mill still has a working waterwheel and the grounds give plenty of scope for family fun. The grounds have a pond, wetlands and woods and are home to a variety of wildlife including birds, bats, waterfowl, bugs and beetles. Refreshments, shop, limited on-site parking Adults £3.75, children £1.90.

Bourne Mill, Bourne Road, CO2 8RT, +44 1206 549799. Late March to Oct: W-Su Bank Holidays 11AM-5PM. Picturesque watermill with working waterwheel. A delightful piece of late Elizabethan playfulness. Built for banquets and converted into a mill in the 19th century. Just a mile south of Colchester sits Bourne Mill, a grade 1 listed building steeped in history. It was built as a fishing lodge in 1591, converted to a fulling mill around 1640 and then converted to a corn mill in about 1840, which continued working until the 1930s. It is well worth a visit for all the family. Bourne Mill is set in tranquil grounds, next to a millpond and babbling stream. The mill still has a working waterwheel and the grounds give plenty of scope for family fun. The grounds have a pond, wetlands and woods and are home to a variety of wildlife including birds, bats, waterfowl, bugs and beetles. Refreshments, shop, limited on-site parking Adults £3.75, children £1.90.

Colchester Castle. The largest Norman keep in Britain, build on the foundations of the Roman temple to Claudius it has the town centre on one side and landscaped gardens on the other. The museum covers the extensive history of Britain's oldest recorded town, from pre-Roman times, Boudicca's rebellion, the Norman invasion, medieval witch hunts, the civil war and up to the present day. Guided tours of the Roman foundations and Norman roof take place at set times throughout the day for a small fee. There is a restaurant and gift shop.

Castle Park. Daily 7:30AM-evening (locked overnight). A fairly large park in the grounds of Colchester castle. Annual events held there include cricket matches (there is a cricket week every year when Essex CC play visiting counties), music festivals and a fireworks display in November.

Colchester Zoo, Maldon Road, Stanway, CO3 0SL. Makes an interesting day out for the family. With some of the best cat and primate collections in Europe, and recent winner of the 'Large Visitor Attraction of the Year' Award, it's well worth a visit.

The only cinema in Colchester is the multiplex Odeon on Head Street which has 8 screens and shows all of the big blockbuster movies. It occasionally puts on alternative and foreign films. The prices are on the expensive side so take your own snacks.

There is also a theatre, the Mercury, which puts on shows throughout the year.

Colchester is also home to a large number of important historic and archaeological sites, including Britain's oldest Roman city walls; the ruins of St. Botolph's Priory and St. John's Abbey; the oldest Roman gateway in the country, and Britain's only discovered Roman Circus (chariot race track).

For an overview of the town, you can pick up a hop-on-hop-off tour with the Colchester City Sightseeing open-top bus, which can be found at the gates of Castle Park.

• Colchester Arts Centre, Church St, Colchester, CO1 1NF, +44 1206 500900. Box office M-Sa 10:30AM-5:30PM. Full and varied program of mainly performances (music, drama)
• Rollerworld, Eastgates, Colchester CO1 2TJ, +44 1206 868868.

Colchester Arts Centre, Church St, Colchester, CO1 1NF, +44 1206 500900. Box office M-Sa 10:30AM-5:30PM. Full and varied program of mainly performances (music, drama)

Rollerworld, Eastgates, Colchester CO1 2TJ, +44 1206 868868.

Colchester has a large selection of shops, ranging from those you would find in any large town (Marks & Spencer, Debenhams etc.) to many small individual shops. The High Street is the place to start - it is here you will find Williams and Griffin's, which is an awarding-winning department store and part of the Fenwick group (with great views from the top-floor restaurant). However, if you take one of the small turnings on the right as you go down the High Street you will find yourself in a warren of small semi-pedestrianised roads full of interesting things to buy. You can create and dress your own teddy bear at Build-a-Bear in Culver Square or treat yourself to some chocolates from Godiva in Eld Lane. There are some lovely old buildings and plenty of cafes to refresh the heavy-laden shopper.

If you are looking for appropriate souvenirs of your stay, the shop in the Castle Museum has plenty to buy with a Roman theme.

The Colchester discount voucher scheme can save you money at your local business. Townvoucher.com offers great bargains from your shops, pubs restaurant and events.

• Waitrose, St Andrews Av, Colchester, CO4 3BQ (http://www.waitrose.com/bf_home/bf/455.html, +44 1206 861230. M-Th Sa 8AM-8PM, F 8AM-9PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Cafe.
• Asda, Turner Rise, Colchester, CO4 5TU (close to town railway station., +44 1206 543159. M 7AM-midnight, Tu-F 24 hr, Sa midnight-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station (different hours). Pharmacy (different hours).
• Sainsbury's, 1 Western Approach, Stanway, CO3 8AA (W side of town, +44 1206 748440. M-Sa 6AM-midnight, Su 10AM-4PM.

Waitrose, St Andrews Av, Colchester, CO4 3BQ (http://www.waitrose.com/bf_home/bf/455.html, +44 1206 861230. M-Th Sa 8AM-8PM, F 8AM-9PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Cafe.

Asda, Turner Rise, Colchester, CO4 5TU (close to town railway station., +44 1206 543159. M 7AM-midnight, Tu-F 24 hr, Sa midnight-10PM, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station (different hours). Pharmacy (different hours).

Sainsbury's, 1 Western Approach, Stanway, CO3 8AA (W side of town, +44 1206 748440. M-Sa 6AM-midnight, Su 10AM-4PM.

• Peldon Rose, Peldon, C05 7QJ (7 miles S of Colchester, +44 1206 735248. Fine dining. Accepts reservations.
• Naka Thai, 35 East Hill, Colchester CO1 2QX, +44 1206 864086. M 6-11PM, Tu-Su noon-2PM & 6-11PM. Free Wi-Fi.
• Ask Italian, 16 North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1DZ, +44 1206 366379. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Free Wi-Fi.
• Zizzi, 12 Headgate, Colchester, CO3 3BT, +44 1206 576816. M-W 11:30AM-11PM, Th-Sa 11:30AM-11:30PM, Su 11:30AM-10:30PM. Free Wi-Fi.
• Alishan Indian Tandori, 19 Osbourne St, Colchester, CO2 7DP, +44 1206 574486. Su-Th 6AM-10:30PM, F Sa 6AM-11PM.
• Bills Restaurant, 135 -137 High St, Colchester, CO1 1SP, +44 1206 572412. M-Th 8AM-10PM, F Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 9AM-10PM. Free Wi-Fi.

Peldon Rose, Peldon, C05 7QJ (7 miles S of Colchester, +44 1206 735248. Fine dining. Accepts reservations.

Naka Thai, 35 East Hill, Colchester CO1 2QX, +44 1206 864086. M 6-11PM, Tu-Su noon-2PM & 6-11PM. Free Wi-Fi.

Ask Italian, 16 North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1DZ, +44 1206 366379. Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-11PM. Free Wi-Fi.

Zizzi, 12 Headgate, Colchester, CO3 3BT, +44 1206 576816. M-W 11:30AM-11PM, Th-Sa 11:30AM-11:30PM, Su 11:30AM-10:30PM. Free Wi-Fi.

Alishan Indian Tandori, 19 Osbourne St, Colchester, CO2 7DP, +44 1206 574486. Su-Th 6AM-10:30PM, F Sa 6AM-11PM.

Bills Restaurant, 135 -137 High St, Colchester, CO1 1SP, +44 1206 572412. M-Th 8AM-10PM, F Sa 8AM-11PM, Su 9AM-10PM. Free Wi-Fi.

• The Abbey Arms, 4-5 St Johns Green, Colchester, CO2 7HA, +44 1206 579884.
• The Goat & Boot, 70 East Hill, Colchester, CO1 2QW, +44 1206 870811. M-Th noon-midnight, F Sa noon-1AM, Su noon-11PM, Food daily noon-7PM. Free Wi-Fi.
• The Forester's Arms, 1-2 Castle Rd, Colchester, CO1 1UW, +44 1206 576722.
• The Fox & Fiddler, 1 St Johns St, Colchester, CO3 3AN, +44 1206 364285. M-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 11AM-11PM.
• The Hole in the Wall, Balkerne Hill, Colchester, CO3 3AA, +44 1206 579897. Daily 11AM-midnight.
• The Hospital Arms, Crouch St, Colchester, CO3 3HA, +44 1206 542398. Provides excellent real ale.
• The Odd One Out, 28 Mersea Rd, Colchester, CO2 7ET, +44 1206 578140. Provides excellent real ale.
• The Playhouse, 4 St John's St, Colchester, CO2 7AA, +44 1206 571003. M-Th 8AM-midnight, F Sa 8AM-1AM, Su 8AM-midnight. A Wetherspoon pub.
• Wig and Pen, 156 High St, Colchester, CO1 1PG, +44 1206 769995.

The Abbey Arms, 4-5 St Johns Green, Colchester, CO2 7HA, +44 1206 579884.

The Goat & Boot, 70 East Hill, Colchester, CO1 2QW, +44 1206 870811. M-Th noon-midnight, F Sa noon-1AM, Su noon-11PM, Food daily noon-7PM. Free Wi-Fi.

The Forester's Arms, 1-2 Castle Rd, Colchester, CO1 1UW, +44 1206 576722.

The Fox & Fiddler, 1 St Johns St, Colchester, CO3 3AN, +44 1206 364285. M-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 11AM-11PM.

The Hole in the Wall, Balkerne Hill, Colchester, CO3 3AA, +44 1206 579897. Daily 11AM-midnight.

The Hospital Arms, Crouch St, Colchester, CO3 3HA, +44 1206 542398. Provides excellent real ale.

The Odd One Out, 28 Mersea Rd, Colchester, CO2 7ET, +44 1206 578140. Provides excellent real ale.

The Playhouse, 4 St John's St, Colchester, CO2 7AA, +44 1206 571003. M-Th 8AM-midnight, F Sa 8AM-1AM, Su 8AM-midnight. A Wetherspoon pub.

Wig and Pen, 156 High St, Colchester, CO1 1PG, +44 1206 769995.

Proclaimed by some as the safest town in the UK, by others as a run-down, crime-infested dump, generally Colchester is safe and you should take the usual precautions. Petty crime is quite rare. Be careful where you leave your car, particularly after dark, as car theft can be a problem. Several downtown multi-storey car parks are open 24 hours and are much safer than the surface lots around the edge of the town centre (which are unstaffed and often meeting points for illegal street racers). The 'loop' road around the town centre (Cowdray Avenue, East Hill, Southway and Balkerne hill) becomes an impromptu race-track for illegal street racers at night - be on the lookout for people driving dangerously. The town centre can become rowdy on Friday and Saturday nights around pub-closing time so try to avoid getting into fights and stay in big groups - fortunately taxis are cheap and easy to find at this time. There are a couple of no-go areas that can be dangerous, particularly after dark. Most notable are Greenstead (a large council housing development in the east), the area around Harwich Road known as 'White City', and the Monkwick estate near the Army Garrisson in the south; however these areas have little to offer for tourists. Try to avoid drinking in the so-called 'Squaddy' pubs near the Army Garrisson in South Colchester as they can be very rowdy and fights involving members of the military can be common. Avoid taking trains from Hythe Station after dark as the station is poorly lit, isolated and has no staff and little CCTV. If you do have to take a train from here, wait by the level crossing on the street and don't enter the platform until the train pulls in - don't wait on the platform.

• Ipswich - gateway to Suffolk
• Lavenham - picturesque medieval town
• Frinton-on-Sea - quiet sea side town
• London - trains to London Liverpool Street depart frequently
• Chelmsford