Things to do in Colchester
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Company Shed
It’s a simple idea: bring your own bread and wine, perch on one of the seats inside this seaside shack, and tuck into the mussels, Colchester oysters, prawns and smoked fish, courtesy of the Howard family – eighth-generation oystermen. The seafood platter (£11.95) lets you sample a good cross section. West Mersea is on Mersea Island, 9 miles south of Colchester.
reviewed
-
Colchester Castle Guided Tours
reviewed
-
Tourist Office
Runs 90-minute, guided tours at 11.30am and/or 2pm daily in July and August, Saturdays only March to June and September to October.
reviewed
-
Lemon Tree
This zesty little eatery serves a refreshing menu of European classics with a modern twist. The decor strikes a nice chic-to-rustic balance, with a section of knobbly Roman wall flanking the main dining area. There are tasty blackboard specials, frequent gourmet nights, a pianist on Monday nights and regular special events.
reviewed
-
Hollytrees Museum
Housed in a graceful Georgian townhouse beside the castle, this museum trawls through 300 years of domestic life of the wealthy and their servants, with quirky exhibits that include a shipwright's baby carriage in the shape of a boat, make-your-own-Victorian-silhouette feature and an intricate, envy-inducing dolls’ house. One room is dedicated to the art of clock-making – a prestigious trade that Colchester was once famous for.
reviewed
-
Green Room
Relaxed, friendly and down to earth, this easygoing bistro has simple wooden tables, bright artwork and some of the best food in town. Locally sourced meats, fish and oysters feature heavily on the seasonal menu, and it buzzes with happy diners lapping up the likes of seared cod cheeks, and pork belly and black-pudding salad.
reviewed
-
firstsite
Opinion has been divided about Colchester’s newest attraction – a new arts centre housed inside stunning a curved-glass and copper building. Inside, it’s also visually striking – lots of space, lots of light, installations flowing seamlessly into one another, and seats to perch on if you wish to leaf through some art books. The contemporary visual art on display is carefully chosen to be presented alongside historical works for context, and most exhibitions are temporary, with the exception of the magnificent Berryfield Mosaic – a Roman artefact found on firstsite’s location in 1923, and now under glass in the centre of the gallery space. There’s an interactive element to…
reviewed
-
Dutch Quarter
The best of the city's half-timbered houses and rickety roof lines are clustered together in this Tudor enclave just a short stroll north of High St. The area remains as a testament to the 16th-century Protestant weavers who fled here from Holland.
reviewed
-
Colchester Zoo
With its world-class animal enclosures, Colchester Zoo is particularly well known for its successful breeding programs and conservation efforts. The zoo is 5 miles northeast of the castle, reachable by bus 75.
reviewed
-
Colchester Castle
Built upon the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius, England's largest surviving Norman keep (bigger even than that of the Tower of London) was first established in 1076 and now houses an exceptional interactive museum that brings the Romano-British archaeological exhibits to life through a combination of artefacts, videos and hands-on displays. Standout exhibits focus on the Iceni revolt against the Romans, the Siege of Colchester and the Essex witch hunts. There are guided tours of the Roman vaults, Norman rooftop chapel and castle walls. The museum will be closed for redevelopment between January 2013 and Easter 2014.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Clock Museum
One of the largest clock collections in Britain housed in a magnificent 15th-century timber-framed building.
reviewed
-
City Sightseeing
Twice daily open-top bus tours.
reviewed