Colchester Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
city in Essex, United Kingdom
About Colchester
Colchester is a picturesque provincial city 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 byRomanauthor 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 asCamulodunum, 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 theRoman Empire, Colchester then passed through the hands of the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and was home to the r
Top Attractions in Colchester
Explore the best things to see and do in Colchester:
- ★Balkerne Water Tower
- ★Beth Chatto's Gardens
- ★Bourne Mill
- ★Castle Park
- ★Colchester Arts Centre
- ★Colchester Castle
- ★Colchester Zoo
- ★Firstsite
Where to Eat in Colchester
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Alishan Indian Tandori
- 🍴Ask Italian
- 🍴Bills Restaurant
- 🍴Naka Thai
- 🍴Peldon Rose
- 🍴Tymperleys
Where to Stay in Colchester
- 🏨Dedham Hall
- 🏨Dragonfly Hotel
- 🏨Four Sevens
- 🏨Hideaway Retreat
- 🏨Pescara House
- 🏨Premier Inn Colchester (Castle) hotel
Colchester Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: