Things to do in Colchester

Activities, attractions and tours

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

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What to do in Colchester

Popular places to visit

Colchester Zoo which includes zoo animals and animals

Colchester Zoo

Feed elephants and giraffes, watch a falconry display and meet the fearsome Komodo dragons at one of the U.K.’s best zoos.

Colchester Zoo
Colchester Castle Park showing heritage architecture and chateau or palace

Colchester Castle Park

Ride a pedalo on the boating lake, enjoy a game of mini golf or simply spend an afternoon relaxing in Colchester’s most popular public park.

Colchester Castle Park
Flatford Mill

Flatford Mill

Find out about the history of Colchester when you take a trip to Flatford Mill. Visit the spas and lively bars in this relaxing area.

Flatford Mill
Layer Marney Tower featuring chateau or palace, heritage elements and heritage architecture

Layer Marney Tower

Spend an afternoon at the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England to find a knot garden, a farm, a Wildlife Walk and five centuries’ worth of history.

Layer Marney Tower
Beth Chatto Garden featuring flowers, wildflowers and a park

Beth Chatto Garden

Learn which plants can thrive in a range of habitats in these stunning gardens designed by master gardener Beth Chatto.

Beth Chatto Garden
Colchester showing heritage architecture

Colchester Town Hall

Colchester’s Baroque town hall, a heritage-listed building with Victorian tower and antique organ, has been the focus of civil duties for over 800 years.

Colchester Town Hall
Colchester which includes interior views and theater scenes

Mercury Theatre

Enjoy a play, a musical performance or some hilarious comedy at Colchester’s premier performing arts venue, which also has a children’s program.

Mercury Theatre
Colchester Castle Museum

Colchester Castle Museum

You can study the exhibits at Colchester Castle Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your holiday in Colchester. Savour the top-notch restaurants and lively bars while in town.

Colchester Castle Museum
Colchester showing modern architecture

firstsite

As one of the U.K.’s premier modern art galleries, this is a great place to see temporary exhibitions, attend art classes and listen to expert talks.

firstsite

Areas of 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
Ipswich Waterfront which includes a sunset and a bay or harbor

Ipswich

Photo by Simon Cummings

Feering

Photo "Polstead" by Robert Edwards (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Robert Edwards (CC BY-SA)

Polstead

Photo "Rivenhall" by John Salmon (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by John Salmon (CC BY-SA)

Rivenhall

Photo "Great Totham" by Glyn Baker (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original

Great Totham

Photo "Mount Bures" by Zorba the Geek (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Zorba the Geek (CC BY-SA)

Mount Bures

Frequently asked questions

Is Colchester worth visiting?
Offering a mix of history and mountain biking, there are many things to do in Colchester. When you're here, check out Mercury Theatre, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Colchester?
Xtreme Gaming and East Anglian Railway Museum are two awesome places to begin your sightseeing adventures. Be sure to check out the shopping and dining options in Colchester while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Colchester?
Mercury Theatre is one of the top tourist attractions in Colchester and deserves a place on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Colchester?
Three days in Colchester is plenty of time to enjoy the city's major highlights. Many travellers book for two days on average. Mercury Theatre, Xtreme Gaming and Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum are highly rated sights. Want to experience more? Stick around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots like Bishop's Stortford.
What are some activities to do in Colchester with kids?
Planning what to do in Colchester with kids has never been easier. Whether you're taking a trip with toddlers or teenagers, there are many family-friendly tours and activities to keep them entertained here.
What to do in Colchester for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Colchester, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Suffolk Distillery or Colchester Town Hall.
Are there free things to do in Colchester?
In Colchester, High Woods Country Park is a must-see spot for anyone planning to see the city without taking their wallet out. Also, wander around the local neighbourhoods and parks, and speak with a local tour guide. It's a simple way to find out about the best free things to do in Colchester.