Colchester

Colchester is a town in Essex, East Anglia. Home to the University of Essex, the Colchester Institute and an Army Garrison, and with its attractive old buildings, Roman wall, castle and proximity to Constable country, Colchester is an interesting place to visit.

Understand

Colchester is a picturesque provincial town 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 by Roman author Pliny).

Originally the capital of the Celtic tribe Trinovantes, it was conquered by Claudius's army in 43 AD and became the first Roman capital - and Britain's first-ever city. Known as Camulodunum, 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 the Roman Empire, Colchester then passed through the hands of the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and was home to the royalists during the month-long siege of the English Civil War. Some modern historians often speculate that "Camelot" could actually be a misspeling of "Camulod(unum)" by an early chronicler unaware of the name change to "Colchester".

The town's main attraction is the Norman castle, founded by William the Conqueror himself, on the foundations of the earlier Roman Temple of Divine Emperor Claudius. It bears similarities to the Tower of London, which was built at the same time.

The town also boasts Roman walls, Saxon and Norman churches, countless timber-framed houses, buildings still showing bullet-holes and scars from the Civil War, and also the oldest Victorian water tower in Britain, known locally as Jumbo.

See

• ⊙Colchester Castle. is the largest Norman keep in Britain, build on the foundations of the Roman temple to Claudius it has the town centre on one side and landscaped gardens on the other. The museum covers the extensive history of Britain's Oldest recorded town, from pre-Roman times, Boudicca's rebellion, the Norman invasion, medieval witch hunts, the civil war and up to the present day. Guided tours of the Roman foundations and Norman roof take place at set times throughout the day for a small fee. There is a restaurant and gift shop.  
• ⊙Castle Park (Main entrance east end of Colchester High Street next to the Castle.). Daily 07:30-evening (locked overnight). A fairly large park in the grounds of Colchester castle. A number of events are held there annually, including cricket matches (There is a cricket week every year when Essex C.C. play visiting counties), music festivals and a fireworks display in November. (updated May 2017)

Museums and galleries

Colchester is home to 3 museums, each one housed in a different beautiful old building and offering a different insight into the history behind Colchester. It is also home to 2 galleries, each offering a distinct approach to the presentation of art and both housed in beautiful neighbouring buildings, one contemporary and one historic:

• ⊙The Castle Museum, Castle Park, CO1 1TJ, ☎ +44 1206 282939. M-Sa 10:00-17:00. Su 11:00-17:00. Last admission 16:30. Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Archaeological collections of international quality covering 2,500 years of history are beautifully showcased, including some of the most important Roman finds in Britain. Adult £7.75 Children (4-16) or concessions £4.80 Family ticket (2 adults 2 children) £21.00. (updated Apr 2017)
• ⊙The Hollytrees Museum, Castle Park, CO1 1UG, ☎ +44 1206 282940. Monday - Saturday: 10AM-5PM Closed on Sundays. A beautiful Georgian building presenting domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Find out about the origin of the famous nursery rhyme Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - which was written in Colchester! Free admission.  
• ⊙The Natural History Museum, High St, Colchester, CO1 1DN, ☎ +44 1206 282941. Tu-Sa 10:00-17:00. Su 11:00-17:00. A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change. Admission free. (updated May 2017)
• ⊙The Minories, 74 High Street, CO1 1UE, ☎ +44 1206 612428. Monday-Saturday 10AM-5PM Closed on Sundays. The Minories is Colchester's oldest art gallery, opening its doors to the public in 1956. It shows a diverse range of contemporary art and design by artists and makers from the eastern region as well as historic work that relates to Colchester. It has a beautiful walled garden (perhaps Colchester's best kept secret) and a cafe serving good quality homemade local produce. Free admission.  
• ⊙Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street, CO1 1JH, ☎ +44 1206 577067. 10AM-5PM. Contemporary visual arts centre with exhibitions and workshops located in a new building. Also a restaurant.