Colchester

Travel Guide

Colchester featuring markets and signage as well as a large group of people
Layer Marney Tower featuring a castle, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Beth Chatto Garden which includes a park and forests
Colchester featuring heritage elements, an administrative buidling and interior views
Colchester

Visit one of Britain’s oldest towns to discover historical treasures, such as Roman remains and Norman churches, alongside cutting-edge art galleries and family entertainment.

Colchester locals will proudly tell you that their city is Britain’s oldest recorded Roman town. Its history actually goes back much further than that, but it was the Romans who shaped “Camulodunum,” as they called it. Today, you can still see the remains of a Roman wall in the city centre.

More than two millennia of habitation have left the city other impressive historic sites as well. The imposing Colchester Castle and churches such as St. Botolph’s Priory are examples of more recent architecture. Modern attractions abound too, so visit galleries and indulge in some shopping in the lively town centre after your tour of the heritage sites.

Part of Colchester’s appeal is that most of the major attractions are located within walking distance from the city centre. Start at the VisitColchester Information Centre and pick up all the maps and information you need. Head to Colchester Castle Park and you’ll find the Castle Museum and Hollytrees Museum within its grounds. On and around High Street you can choose between the Colchester Natural History Museum, contemporary art galleries such as Firstsite and The Minories, and architectural feats such as the Colchester Town Hall.

On a sunny day, enjoy a walk around the Beth Chatto Gardens or a visit to the Colchester Zoo where you can feed elephants and giraffes. Also explore the nearby countryside, which the famous English painter John Constable captured so well.

Start your evening in one of the many fine restaurants in the city centre and end the night attending a performance at the Mercury Theatre or mingling with locals in one of the many pubs.

Nearby attractions in the Essex countryside include the splendid Tudor structure known as the Layer Marney Tower.

Colchester is just over 50 miles (80 kilometres) northeast of London. The nearest international airport is at Stansted, which is located 34 miles (55 kilometres) west of Colchester. You’ll need to wear warm clothes for a winter visit to Colchester, but it is one of the driest places in the U.K. With so much to see and do, you’ll enjoy your stay in Colchester whatever the weather.

Where to stay in Colchester

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Dutch Quarter

Dutch Quarter is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by firstsite, a top place to visit in the area.

Dutch Quarter
St Nicholas Hotel

St Nicholas Hotel

3 out of 5
High Street St Nicholas Hotel, Colchester, England
The price is RM376 per night from 23 Oct to 24 Oct
RM376
RM451 total
23 Oct - 24 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (756 reviews)
"The hotel itself (hallways) is a bit like a travelodge but the room we stayed in, 911, was really clean and the bed was really comfy. It was quite warm though so not sure what it would be like in summer."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

St Nicholas Hotel
Delta Hotels by Marriott Colchester

Delta Hotels by Marriott Colchester

4 out of 5
London Road, Marks Tey, Colchester, England
The price is RM272 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
RM272
RM327 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this eco-certified hotel in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
7.8/10 Good! (994 reviews)
"Friendly staff and clean rooms."

Reviewed on 7 Oct 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Colchester
Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG

Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG

3 out of 5
Birchwood Road, Colchester, England
The price is RM244 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
RM244
RM293 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Colchester. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"Every thing was working except the phone in the room, the staff was very helpful and nice. My body wasn’t adjusted to the time and I missed a few breakfast and I ask one of the worker she allowed me to still get some of what was left, I had to take my meds so I was very grateful she didn’t tell me, ..."

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Colchester Studio Suites

Colchester Studio Suites

3 out of 5
23 St Peter's St, Colchester, England
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and housekeeping. Popular attractions firstsite and Colchester Castle Park ...
9/10 Wonderful! (12 reviews)
Would stay again 👍
"Nice tidy and clean room that looked like it had been recently fitted out. Decent sized Kitchen at each end of the corridor i didn't use them but they looked fully kitted out and new. The hotel is on a quiet residential street but took me 5mins to walk into the town centre which has loads of bars, ..."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Colchester Studio Suites
Birds Farm

Birds Farm

3 out of 5
School Lane, Colchester, England
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Beth Chatto Garden and Wyvernwood ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (10 reviews)
"We loved it here, had a a good couple of nights with friends. Beautiful apartment, amazing mattresses and pillows, very quiet environment. The pool wasn’t open and some work was happening but you can tell it’s going to look amazing once they put it all together and summer prep work is expected at ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jun 2025

Birds Farm
Poker Dot Getaway 2 - Stay-play-getaway

Poker Dot Getaway 2 - Stay-play-getaway

3.5 out of 5
Colchester
Stay at this 3.5-star vacation home in Colchester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Mersea Island Vineyard and Cudmore Grove ...
"Was every happy and kids enjoyed it"

Reviewed on 13 May 2023

Poker Dot Getaway 2 - Stay-play-getaway
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Colchester

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
56
5 - Excellent 29%
4 - Good
98
4 - Good 51%
3 - Okay
32
3 - Okay 16%
2 - Disappointing
7
2 - Disappointing 4%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Colchester is a cool little place. With a fantastic history

4/5 - Good

Christine

Got a ticket for driving in a bus lane, we were concentrating on SatNav and were unaware! Watch out when driving.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Plenty to do and many great places to eat

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Good for food and drinks

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Got a really lovely meal from wetherspoons in the centre of colchester.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Come here for university