Visit Colchester

Visit Colchester Official Tourism Service for the Colchester City Council area.

Contact us for the best advice on where to go, things to do, where to watch, listen, join in, eat, drink, stay and enjoy in and around Colchester

The centre offers hands on advice and information resource.
- Access to wheelchair users and people with disabilities as well as pushchairs.
- A large retail area for local souvenirs, gifts and treats.
- A range of gifts, souvenirs and treats made by l

ocal companies, artists and craftspeople under the 'Colchester Collection' name - unique to the information centre.
- New electronic information services.
- Ideas on things to do and places to visit locally.
- Tickets for local events.
- Bookings for guided tours.
- Help with your travel plans.

22/01/2025

For any trip to , the historic city centre is hard to resist! With it's incredible Norman Keep (the largest of in Europe!) and fascinating Roman history alongside the award winning green spaces such as Castle Park 😍

Why not compliment a visit to the city centre with the impressive Layer Marney Tower! Layer Marney Tower is England’s tallest Tudor Gatehouse, standing within the Essex landscape, commanding views to the River Blackwater. Only a short drive from Colchester City centre, this is a great combination for both group trips and individuals alike!

Take inspiration from the latest of our Group Tours video to discover ideas for a day out in Colchester and Layer Marney Tower 🏰

💡Plan your group's visit or find out more about our fantastic Group Incentive Scheme below on our dedicated group travel page!

https://www.visitcolchester.com/groups/plan-your-visit/

Colchester needs you 🫵! Visit Essex wants to know your your favourite place, destination or restaurant in the area. You ...
20/01/2025

Colchester needs you 🫵! Visit Essex wants to know your your favourite place, destination or restaurant in the area. You can win a £25 gift voucher for the simple task of voting for your favourite! 😯

Colchester has a whole host of Essex Icons so we’ve selected some of our top hits below to give you some inspiration before you cast your vote! 🗳

🏆Colchester Castle – The largest Norman Keep in all of Europe! An incredible building, built 1000 years ago on the 2000 year old foundations of a Roman Temple🏛

🏆Colchester Roman Walls – Colchester has the earliest, best preserved and one of the longest Roman city walls in Britain! 🤩

🏆Colchester Zoo – one of the top 10 visited attractions in the whole of England! 🦁

🏆Colchester Roman Circus – a Roman racetrack which was a top attraction 2000 years ago as well as the present day! Also the only Roman Circus discovered in Britain and Northern Europe! 🐎

🏆Jumbo – one of the few remaining Victorian Water Towers in England and (as announced just this week) the recipient of transformative funding from the to make it fully accessible to the public! 💧

🏆Chappel Viaduct – at 175 years old, this striking landmark is an impressive show of Victorian architecture which can still be enjoyed today whilst riding on the Gainsborough train line 🚂

Make sure to nominate your Essex Icon by clicking on the the link below ⬇
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=TzK0qFwVFUKg8X7YzJqZLwxxG6b45nxBp1gBat4ihEVUQ1BYTVAxMFUyVVJZWE5GUU5NM0ZGSUVNSi4u&route=shorturl

⏰You have until 5th February to enter!

📸 credits: Visit Colchester, Roger Tamblyn (Chappel Viaduct) and Stacey England (Colchester Zoo)

Colchester Zoo Colchester Museums

📩 You've got mail! We've been busy bees delivering our new Visit Colchester city maps and visitor guide this week!📯 Wit...
19/01/2025

📩 You've got mail!

We've been busy bees delivering our new Visit Colchester city maps and visitor guide this week!📯 With a warm welcome from the local businesses in Colchester City Centre and beyond, it's made it all the more fun!

Pop into the cafes, shops and restaurants and hotels around to pick up helpful Visit Colchester city map and brochure ℹ🗺

If you'd like leaflets or brochures in your business, please get in touch and we can arrange pick-up or delivery!

Mercury Theatre Colchester Café 21 Colchester Two Brews Common Ground Cafe Tymperleys patch colchester

Everyone, we have an announcement!📣Set to be Colchester's biggest festival EVER, the ALB Festival 2025 has just announce...
18/01/2025

Everyone, we have an announcement!📣

Set to be Colchester's biggest festival EVER, the ALB Festival 2025 has just announced a HUGE name as their headline act...SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR!🎉

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is ALB Festival's BIGGEST act yet and we're thrilled to be welcoming her to perform in Colchester. You may know her for her chart-topping single: 'Murder on the Dancefloor', her five Top 10 singles, or her recent appearance at the New Year's Eve Disco!🕺✨

Every ticket sold directly supports ALB's incredible work in the community, helping to transform lives in Colchester, from every walk of life. Tickets for this fantastic event are available for purchase now - with instalment plans available too - so don't miss out on a day of family-friendly fun!

You can find out more about this incredible event on the ALB Festival page or on our website: visitcolchester.com!🎶

Visit Essex

17/01/2025

As a perfect destination for group travel Colchester not only boasts a fascinating history but also cultural gems such as art galleries Firstsite Colchester and The Minories 💎 Both galleries have changing exhibitions throughout the year 🖼 cafes ☕ and toilets 🚾 as well as free admission! You might even recognise Firstsite from its starring role in several recent episodes of the BBC’s, Antiques Roadshow! 🏺

A wonderful compliment to the cultural hub of Colchester city is an afternoon in Constable Country, a mere 15minutes drive away! An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty✨ and inspiration for artists for hundreds of years 👩‍🎨, this is a fantastic setting to spend an afternoon. Quaint tea rooms, cosy pubs, independent shops and home to the the only museum devoted to renowned artist, Sir Alfred Munnings make this a destination not to be missed!

In the coming weeks, ahead of our visit to Excursions Show, we will be showcasing some perfect location pairings for group travel to our district to help you create an itinerary suitable to your group!

Have a look at our video to discover ideas for a day out in Colchester and The Munnings Art Museum 🎨🐎

Plan your group's visit or find out more about our fantastic Group Incentive Scheme here ➡➡➡ https://www.visitcolchester.com/groups/plan-your-visit/

If you're trying your hand at Veganuary, here's where you can keep it up in Colchester!💚🍽We've got 5 MUST-VISIT restaura...
15/01/2025

If you're trying your hand at Veganuary, here's where you can keep it up in Colchester!💚🍽

We've got 5 MUST-VISIT restaurants for you that serve up tasty plant-based/plant-led meals all year round:

📍patch colchester - from a catchup over coffee to a romantic tasting menu, this restaurant-slash-community-space has become a local favourite since opening in 2022!🍃
📍Common Grounds Cafe - this community kitchen offers a mixture of sweet treats and hot foods, including baked goods and seasonal specials 🧁
📍The Olive Branch located in the lovely town of Wivenhoe, this spot offers up delicious Syrian specialities, including paninis, wraps and topped flatbreads 🍴
📍Romano Lounge - relax with a drink and some classic brunch items from their plant based menu at this bright and quirky spot 🥂
📍Heavenly Desserts UK - fancy a sweet treat? This dessert spot has an entire vegan menu, complete with mochi, waffles, cookie dough and sundae jars 🍪
You can read about more plant-based restaurants and cafes on our blog: https://www.visitcolchester.com/blog/post/veganuary-in-colchester-2025/🌿

Do you have a favourite local spot? Let us know in the comments below!👇

Photo Credits: The Commons Cafe, Patch and The Olive Branch📸

Visit Essex

We've got one extra special here in Colchester that we can't wait to share...🥳Of course, it's the icon, the one-and-on...
14/01/2025

We've got one extra special here in Colchester that we can't wait to share...🥳

Of course, it's the icon, the one-and-only: Jumbo Water Tower!

Sprouting up in 1883, this historic 40m tall Victorian water tower has dominated the skyline for almost 150 years. With over 1 MILLION bricks used in its construction, it was a big undertaking.

Now after years of campaigning and hard work from the passionate Jumbo Colchester Official team - plus a generous £8million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund - this outstanding piece of architecture is getting a new lease of life as a leading destination and community resource!

As with the rest of Colchester, we're absolutely thrilled to see such an incredible investment into our city, and can't wait to see what comes next - all made possible with support from ✨

We're joining The National Lottery Heritage Fund in celebrating our !🤫This morning, we're showcasing the beautiful Laye...
14/01/2025

We're joining The National Lottery Heritage Fund in celebrating our !🤫

This morning, we're showcasing the beautiful Layer Marney Tower. This Tudor Palace dates back to the 16th Century, and combines stone coloured terracotta decorations with Italian mouldings, resulting in one of the most sophisticated builds of its time.

Layer Marney Tower is located about 6 miles from Colchester City Centre, with plenty of walking routes in the area. It makes for a great stop for families and history lovers visiting Colchester!🏰

Something BIG is Coming...🎶Set your alarms for Sunday 18th January, as the ALB Festival are announcing their HEADLINER! ...
11/01/2025

Something BIG is Coming...🎶

Set your alarms for Sunday 18th January, as the ALB Festival are announcing their HEADLINER! We're confident that you're going to be excited when you hear who it is 🤫🕺

In the meantime, you can get excited about the new bars, new acts (including chart-topped Pixie Lott!) and all the family-friendly entertainment that Colchester's biggest festival is serving up this September.

Every ticket sold directly supports ALB's incredible work in the community, helping to transform lives in Colchester, from every walk of life. Tickets for this fantastic event are available for purchase now - with instalment plans available too - so don't miss out on a day of family-friendly fun!

You can find out more about this incredible event on our website, or on the ALB Festival page - stay tuned for the BIG announcement!🎉

📸Photo Credits: ALB Festival

10/01/2025

! Britain's first Roman city and England's newest city all rolled in one. This destination delivers the full package 🎁 With history, culture, beautiful outdoor parks and historical treasures to boot, there's something for everyone! But it's not just the city itself that's worth the visit. Colchester's convenient location 🗺 lends itself to group travel and coach trips with key tourist attractions just a short drive from the city centre 🚌

In the coming weeks, ahead of our visit to Excursions Show, we will be showcasing some perfect location pairings for group travel to our district to help you create an itinerary suitable to your group!

Have a look at our video to discover ideas for a day out in Colchester and Beth Chatto Gardens 🌳 This is an ideal summer trip for groups and individuals alike and a mere 15minutes drive from the city centre!

Plan your group's visit or find out more about our fantastic Group Incentive Scheme below on our dedicated group travel page!

https://www.visitcolchester.com/groups/plan-your-visit/

The crunch of frost underfoot, the sound of birdsong, a brisk chill - doesn't that sound idyllic?We've had some frosty m...
08/01/2025

The crunch of frost underfoot, the sound of birdsong, a brisk chill - doesn't that sound idyllic?

We've had some frosty mornings here in Colchester and they've been beautiful - despite the cold! Not only is a little bit of cold air good for the soul, but these chilly mornings also bring gorgeous sunrises.❄

Mornings are the best time to soak up these views so set your alarms and set off early. These photos were taken in and around our historic Castle Park, but there are plenty of green spaces and even an a few designated 'Areas of Natural Beauty' nearby to enjoy if you'd prefer to travel further afield 🚗

Colchester is a great base for trips to nearby towns and villages (like Dedham and Wivenhoe) and even bigger cities like Bury St Edmunds, so you can explore more of what this part of the country has to offer.

Visit Essex Bury St Edmunds and Beyond

It's the start of a whole fresh new year! We have a sneaking feeling this year, things could be marvellous! 🍓You can say...
06/01/2025

It's the start of a whole fresh new year! We have a sneaking feeling this year, things could be marvellous! 🍓

You can say what you want but we can't hide our excitement for 2025's Summer Series which will see Lower Castle Park become the house of fun for a set of summer concerts 👩‍🎤

Step on🪇and join in the 'Madness' while Colchester Castle Summer Series presents 7 days🎶of performances!

You might find yourself thinking, "I'm a little late"🤔 but fear not! Tickets are still available for each of these acts 😅! Take one step beyond (but not as far as the year 3000 🤖) if you're keen to see one of these concerts and make sure you secure your ticket! 🎫

Extra, extra, hot off the press: our OFFICIAL 2025 Colchester Visitor Guide has arrived!🗞🚨If you're looking for 44 pages...
04/01/2025

Extra, extra, hot off the press: our OFFICIAL 2025 Colchester Visitor Guide has arrived!🗞🚨

If you're looking for 44 pages of information and inspiration, you've come to the right place. This handy little guide is jam packed with unmissable spots, fun activities, outdoor spaces, and cosy places to stay - plus some bonus content - helping you to plan the perfect trip, tailored to you and your passions ✨

Pop into the Visitor Centre in Hollytrees Museum to pick one up in person, or order one from our website today: https://www.visitcolchester.com/information/brochures 💻

P.S. if you like the guide's cover, you can pick it up in postcard form from the Visitor Information Centre Shop!

Firstsite is back open today and looking resplendent in the winter sunshine ✨Pop in to browse the gift shop🎁 art exhibit...
03/01/2025

Firstsite is back open today and looking resplendent in the winter sunshine ✨

Pop in to browse the gift shop🎁 art exhibitions🖼lunch in the cafe🥗 or a film in the cinema 🍿🎥

If you'd rather not leave the comfort of your home, let Firstsite come to you! The third episode of the Colchester edition of Antiques Roadshow hosted at Firstsite will be shown this Sunday 5th January at 7pm! 🤩Watch Fiona Bruce and her team of antiques experts as they examine and value Colchester's prized possessions and finds!🏺🔍 You may see some familiar faces from our very own Colchester Castle collections team!

Firstsite Colchester BBC One BBC Antiques Roadshow Colchester Museums

🤔 that Colchester was the site of the first Roman city in Britain back in AD43?! And that underneath Colchester's huge ...
02/01/2025

🤔 that Colchester was the site of the first Roman city in Britain back in AD43?! And that underneath Colchester's huge Norman Keep lie the foundations of a Roman Temple?! 🏛

These are just a few of the amazing things to be learned about Colchester. There are a huge amount of clues to our incredible Roman history dotted all around the city centre - and they're often hiding in plain sight!

Grab your gloves, pop on a hat and join our 'Camulodunum to Colchester' guided walking tour this weekend to decipher the city around you and learn about its impressive past!

⏰Starts at 11am
📍 Meet outside Colchester Visitor Information Centre by Hollytrees Museum
✔️Price is £8per adult and FREE for children under 16 years old

To secure your place, you can either stop by the Visitor Information Centre, or book online on our website: https://www.visitcolchester.com/event/guided-walking-tour%3a-from-camulodunum-to-colchester/123138101/ ✨

Image credits: Visit Colchester + illustration by Peter Froste at Colchester Archaeological Trust

Happy New Year!! 🍾🎉If you're looking to get outside and blow away the cobwebs 🌬 with a refreshing walk,we have something...
01/01/2025

Happy New Year!! 🍾🎉

If you're looking to get outside and blow away the cobwebs 🌬 with a refreshing walk,we have something that'll be just the ticket - perfect for outdoorsy families! 👣

The Town-to-Sea Trail is a 2mile route 🚶‍♂️ accompanied by a poem by local poet and musician Martin Newell✍ and an assortment of hand forged artworks which act as wayfaring points which link🔗 the town and sea heritage to the walking route.

Download the FREE trail and accompanying activity pack, and read more about the history of this landscape below ⬇
https://www.visitcolchester.com/listing/town-to-sea-trail/119184101/

We're back open! Pop by for all your local tourist information needs between 10am and 5pm today! 👋If you're in Colcheste...
28/12/2024

We're back open! Pop by for all your local tourist information needs between 10am and 5pm today! 👋

If you're in Colchester you could also stop by some of the other open venues...

❄ Colchester Castle Colchester Museums
❄ Firstsite Colchester
❄ Mercury Theatre Colchester
❄ Castle Park
❄ Many of the city centre's shops 🛍, cafes 🧁, bars 🍻 and restaurants 🍽

Address

Hollytrees Museum, High Street
Colchester
CO12

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441206282920

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Visit Colchester posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Visit Colchester:

Videos

Historic Colchester & Layer Marney Tower
Historic Colchester & Layer Marney Tower

For any trip to #Colchester, the historic city centre is hard to resist! With it's incredible Norman Keep (the largest of in Europe!) and fascinating Roman history alongside the award winning green spaces such as Castle Park 😍 Why not compliment a visit to the city centre with the impressive Layer Marney Tower! Layer Marney Tower is England’s tallest Tudor Gatehouse, standing within the Essex landscape, commanding views to the River Blackwater. Only a short drive from Colchester City centre, this is a great combination for both group trips and individuals alike! Take inspiration from the latest of our Group Tours video to discover ideas for a day out in Colchester and Layer Marney Tower 🏰 💡Plan your group's visit or find out more about our fantastic Group Incentive Scheme below on our dedicated group travel page! https://www.visitcolchester.com/groups/plan-your-visit/ #Colchester #Essex #GroupTravel #VisitEngland #VisitEssex #CoachTravel

Colchester Group Travel - Colchester City + Dedham and Constable Country
Colchester Group Travel - Colchester City + Dedham and Constable Country

As a perfect destination for group travel Colchester not only boasts a fascinating history but also cultural gems such as art galleries Firstsite Colchester and The Minories 💎 Both galleries have changing exhibitions throughout the year 🖼 cafes ☕ and toilets 🚾 as well as free admission! You might even recognise Firstsite from its starring role in several recent episodes of the BBC’s, Antiques Roadshow! 🏺 A wonderful compliment to the cultural hub of Colchester city is an afternoon in Constable Country, a mere 15minutes drive away! An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty✨ and inspiration for artists for hundreds of years 👩‍🎨, this is a fantastic setting to spend an afternoon. Quaint tea rooms, cosy pubs, independent shops and home to the the only museum devoted to renowned artist, Sir Alfred Munnings make this a destination not to be missed! In the coming weeks, ahead of our visit to Excursions Show, we will be showcasing some perfect location pairings for group travel to our district to help you create an itinerary suitable to your group! Have a look at our video to discover ideas for a day out in Colchester and The Munnings Art Museum 🎨🐎 Plan your group's visit or find out more about our fantastic Group Incentive Scheme here ➡➡➡ https://www.visitcolchester.com/groups/plan-your-visit/ #Colchester #Essex #Dedham #ConstableCountry #GroupsTravel #CoachTrip #GroupTravel #Munnings #CultureTrip #Culture #essexartist

Full Day Excursions for Groups - Colchester + Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens
Full Day Excursions for Groups - Colchester + Beth Chatto's Plants & Gardens

#Colchester! Britain's first Roman city and England's newest city all rolled in one. This destination delivers the full package 🎁 With history, culture, beautiful outdoor parks and historical treasures to boot, there's something for everyone! But it's not just the city itself that's worth the visit. Colchester's convenient location 🗺 lends itself to group travel and coach trips with key tourist attractions just a short drive from the city centre 🚌 In the coming weeks, ahead of our visit to Excursions Show, we will be showcasing some perfect location pairings for group travel to our district to help you create an itinerary suitable to your group! Have a look at our video to discover ideas for a day out in Colchester and Beth Chatto Gardens 🌳 This is an ideal summer trip for groups and individuals alike and a mere 15minutes drive from the city centre! Plan your group's visit or find out more about our fantastic Group Incentive Scheme below on our dedicated group travel page! https://www.visitcolchester.com/groups/plan-your-visit/ #Colchester #Essex #GroupTravel #VisitEngland #VisitEssex #CoachTravel

The wonderful elves of Wilkins&Sons of Tiptree have been out in bracing conditions today 🥶 to deliver some festive treats to our gift shop! 🥰🎄

We have some fabulous themed guides walking tours running this year! Have a look and see if any of them tickle your fancy! They make a great gift for a loved one or a fun activity with friends and family ☺️ To book: ☎️ Call 01206 282920 💻 Click on the link in comments below 👇 🙋‍♀️Visit us at Colchester Visitor Information Centre to book your place! #VisitColchester #WalkColchester #Colchester #Essex

🗣️Last chance to visit the nostalgia hit that is Thunderbirds & Co: The Joy of Puppetry! This fantastic showcase into the world of puppetry will be finishing tomorrow, Sunday 30th June. Pop by to see these TV favourites up close and in real life for one last chance at Colchester Castle tomorrow! Colchester Museums #Colchester #ColchesterCastle #ThunderbirdsAreGo #classictv #Essex #DoctorWho #VisitColchester #museumsunday

Put the kettle on 🫖 It’s National Cream Tea Day! Here at Visit Colchester we have all jam and conserve options well and truly covered with a fine spread of Wilkin & Sons Ltd Tiptree jam goodies. Want traditional? We have Strawberry🍓and Raspberry. Looking to impress? We have Victoria Plum or Morello Cherry 🍒 Feeling crazy? We have Wild Blueberry! There really is something for every occasion here, lots of which you won’t see on your local supermarket shelf. Don’t let the fun stop at cream teas! To complement the weather, we also have a selection of condiments, perfect for a summer barbecue! Our shop is open Monday - Saturday 10-5pm so pop in to buy this quality, locally produced addition to your scones and cream! #Colchester #tiptreejam #wilkinandsons #nationalcreamteaday #ShopLocal #EssexProduce #creambeforejamalways

Siege of Colchester Walking Trail
Siege of Colchester Walking Trail

Over the cold wet summer of 1648 Colchester found itself besieged as Parliamentarian forces under Fairfax surrounded the town and trapped both Royalist troops and the townsfolk inside for 11 long weeks. If you missed our special themed tour about the Siege the last weekend never fear! Our self guided walking trail will help you discover the dramatic events surrounding the Siege, and the scars this event left on buildings around the town which are still visible today. Available from the Visitor Centre for just £1 or download here: https://www.visitcolchester.com/listing/the-siege-of-colchester-walking-trail/137232101/

The Colchester Food and Drink Festival returns to Castle Park this summer on the 29th and 30th of June and advance price tickets for this hugely popular event are available now. For a taster (see what we did) here's our film of last year's Festival in full swing. Just the (gin) and tonic for a grey wet February evening 😉. https://www.foodanddrinkfestivalsuk.co.uk/buy-tickets/colchesterfoodanddrinkfestival/

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Welcome to Visit Colchester

Visit Colchester is the official tourism site for Colchester providing up-to-date information on attractions, accomodation, events and more for the Borough of Colchester. Follow us on Facebook and other social media channels for daily updates on things to do and see in Colchester, visit our website at www.visitcolchester.com for a more comprehensive guide, or pop into our HQ in Hollytrees Museum to visit us in person.