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Historic Colchester
A former capital city with Iron Age roots and a glorious Roman past, history is all around you in Colchester, and every period has left its mark and something for the visitor to explore.
Within Britain’s oldest and longest city walls discover Colchester Castle, Europe’s largest Norman Keep, built on the foundations of a Roman temple destroyed in Queen Boudica’s revolt against Rome and now home to an internationally important museum collection; the atmospheric ruins of St Botolph’s Priory; the medieval lanes of the Dutch Quarter; the house that inspired classic nursery rhyme Twinkle
Twinkle Little Star; Hollytrees Museum with its wonderful collection of toys and Colchester built clocks housed in an elegant Georgian townhouse, and imposing Victorian civic architecture like iconic Colchester landmark ‘Jumbo’.
Other highlights include the Roman Circus Visitor Centre interpreting the only chariot racing track to be discovered in Britain, and further afield the splendid Layer Marney Tower, England’s tallest Tudor Gatehouse and the awe inspiring engineering of the Chappel Viaduct.
Why not time your visit to coincide with one of a diverse array of heritage themed events happening in 2025, from exhibitions at Colchester Castle Museum to festivals taking place in Castle Park.
City Centre Heritage Highlights
Visit Colchester Castle Museum for amazing collections and a new blockbuster exhibition
Join a Camulodunum to Colchester Guided Tour from the Visitor Information Centre
Don your doublet for the Colchester Medieval Festival in June, or try on a toga at the Roman Festival in July
Walk Britain’s oldest and longest Roman City Walls on a self-guided trail
Discover a day at the races Roman style at the Roman Circus Visitor Centre
Don’t miss Heritage Open Days in September!
Beyond The City Centre Highlights
Layer Marney Tower
Bourne Mill
Gosbecks Archeological Park
Dedham Vale
East Anglian Railway Museum/ Chappel Viaduct
