Colchester, United Kingdom skyline: the 36 most iconic buildings and best views in Colchester

Really nice place with a very respectful conversion to among the oldest castles in the UK. Lots of interesting exhibits that give equal coverage to all the different peoples that have occupied it. There are several books in Latin and Middle English dotted around, among numerous other things. You can get a ~2hr visit done for sure, not accounting for the wonderful Castle Park! There's also two other museums close by, focused on natural history and Victorian times. Do check them out too!

Cozy little castle with a small surrounding park. There is not much going on inside, the whole interior is converted to a modern exhibition with different artifacts. 30-40 mins was enough to walk. There is a toilet (ran out of toilet paper). Also, no family discounts and they are not part of English heritage. For a family of 4 we paid about 50 GBP which is terrible. Guided tours cost extra.

A great day out. The grounds are well worth seeing (hence the couple of pictures) as well but once inside, the castle is interactive, very well laid out and really interesting. The staff were incredibly helpful and their customer service was first rate. Highly recommend.

We took our 8 year old granddaughter who was fascinated. Lovely staff who were very well informed. We all loved it and plan to make a return visit very soon. To much to take in on one visit.

A beautiful castle on the outside and an excellent, informative museum on the inside. The kids loved it, especially the interactive activities. It is set within some gorgeous grounds and pretty gardens. Highly recommended.

Amazing castle 🏰 to look at, although there are parts that have fencing around due to the deteration of brick work, but for a 900 year old building, it's doing pretty well. You can visit inside at a cost of £13.50 per adult, and as far as I know, there's plenty to see inside. The grounds around it are well maintained with lovely flower and rose beds. Well worth a visit and a walk around the grounds, good day out.

Plenty to interest people of all ages in this museum. It has a wide range of exhibits and interactive displays and a tour of the Roman part of the castle. The museum illustrates the significant history of Colchester with impressive ancient items that show how skilled people were in Roman times. Don't miss the prison cells and the story of the witch finder. All good, we spent a couple of hours enjoying it all. 👍👍👍👍

A free-spirited place for the arts of Colchester. I like that this is not just an art gallery, but it can also be a place for cinema screenings. They can keep some arts, making them go down in history with that mosaic. Arts are not always pictures or sculptures, I was also met with cardboard tags with writing on them. Artwork could also be video like a saucy one on the screen with a picture of edited with things like computer mouse marks. You have got to have this anywhere in your area

A free artistic and educational resource with a market. We enjoyed exploring the stunning building and artworks

So grateful to First Site for everything they’ve put on during the summer! Their holiday fun activities have given us so much to do because they have a lot going on during the week (Tuesday - Saturday). Special thank you to Lorraine for being so welcoming and accommodating — if you plan to come here she’s always happy to help ✨ 10/10 would recommend coming here!

Looking for something different? This is the place! We've so many live performances from Opera, Ballet to West end shows. Plus although you don't get the theatre experience your not paying extortionate prices plus train fares, being on the doorstep. Comfort with drinks and food available both inside and around it's a great way to spend an afternoon or evening😁

Love this gallery. More people should come here! We are so lucky to have it.

A great venue to host a work awards evening. The venue is spacious, close to town so plenty of parking places and there is enough equipment required to make sure the evening runs smoothly. Jess one of the event organisers has been great and will look after you throughout the evening for you and your colleagues.

Amazing place! Great for little ones. Lots of interaction and activities. Fantastic collection of art work on view and currently your art can be displayed along side some famous names! Good little cafe inside, bit pricey but tasty food and good coffee. Friendly staff, happy to chat and very welcoming. I could buy everything from the gift shop, fab array of arty gifts. It was only our first visit but will certainly make an effort to return when back in the area! A little gem of place. Lucky Colchester!

My daughter is learning disabled and it can be difficult to keep her amused but she had a go at the interactive jigsaw and games in the room with the large dollhouse. She liked the museum showing old toys and could relate to the more modern versions that she had...I enjoyed reading about Ms Cavandish and just how she seemed born in the wrong time. Extraordinary woman.

Whilst I didn’t visit the museum itself, I did book a private tour with Louise to take a small group around Colchester and it was fantastic. We walked around for over an hour learning all about the history of Colchester, seeing the Roman and Norman influence in the area and appreciating the brickwork and ruins throughout the city. There is a free tour on Saturdays that I can’t speak to, but if it’s half as good as a private tour on weekdays it’s well worth the time. Louise was enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and you could tell she is passionate about history. Thoroughly recommend. Emailing the visitor centre to set up the tour was pleasant with fast responses.

Really nice family friendly free museum. Lots of top quality items from the past to marvel at. Many of them are domestic appliances, but there are toys. The house was once a grand house owned by the MP for Colchester , Charles Grey (not the Prime Minister) in the 1700's. There is information about demostic Servants and the History of the House. Very interesting 👌

Good museum, quite small but full of interesting artifacts.

A compact social history museum featuring everything from vintage vacuum cleaners to dolls houses, art, and royal memorabilia. Should you be in the postbox spotting game, Hollytrees boasts a particularly fine early Victorian example. There's also a wide selection of clocks and a small gift shop with the usual souvenirs, along with some Roman themed items.

Hollytrees Museum is a small lovely museum located in Colchester and situated within Castle Park, off Colchester High Street. The museum is a beautiful Georgian townhouse surrounded by beautiful gardens. It is worth a quick visit if you happen to be in Colchester town and even strolling around the gardens can be very relaxing.

A very enjoyable experience with lovely staff who were very friendly. Three floors of fantastic old clocks, toys, household items accompanied with photos and write ups which really tell the story about the house. Spent a very good hour here with the kids.

I love this zoo. Even though it’s busy you can still enjoy the experience. Lots to see and do. The animals have some lovely enclosures and look happy. I love the glass so you can get up close to observe. It’s probably my favourite zoo as zoos go and I’ve been to lots! They clearly do a lot for conservation too and that’s massively important for the welfare of endangered species particularly! It’s clean and the staff are lovely!

Had a lovely day out here plenty of animals to see,some were hiding in their beds as it was a bit chilly but you could peep at them there. There's walk through areas to get up close. Plenty of food and drink cafes dotted through the zoo and picnic benches too. Definitely worth a visit.

Love a zoo trip!! such an enjoyable experience. Great variety of animals to see and even though it can be very busy you still see and enjoy it all. The animals all have great spacious enclosures and plenty of items in for them to enjoy. There is plenty of things to see and to do which is great. The Gift shop at the end is brilliant as well, has a great variety of things for all ages.

Our first visit June 2025 10 people. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and the staff were so lovely and helpful. The encounters were fab and so much going on even on a. We’ve been to a good few zoos across the UK as we came from SE and visited whilst on holiday and this is the best we’ve been too so far. There is a lot of pride in the zoo and people maintaining the grounds and you can tell the animals are well looked after, some of the enclosures are fabulous. We spent the day there and still didn’t see everything! So many food places too with nice food choices. Totally recommend!

What an amazing zoological zoo. It's started off as wet and windy but cleared up as there was many indoor areas to visit. The meerkats took abit of coaching to get them outside but eventually came out. Feeding the giraffes was really good and exciting for the children. Well grown ups. The staff were really helpful and knew exactly where to send you when lost for the next adventure around the park. So many animals and looked in good care. Lots of schools visiting which was good to see. Well done teams.

Really enjoyable day and a huge variety of animals to see. It’s really well laid out and the animals all looked happy. The Africa section was impressive. The elephants and giraffes seemed happy. Every turn you took there was something new to discover. Food options were a bit hit and miss with long waits for average not even hot food. That was the only down side but went for the animals hence the 5 star review. The green anacondas were stunning as were the chimpanzees

I had an absolutely fantastic time visiting Colchester Zoo! One of the highlights of the day was the amazing train ride that took us on a scenic journey around the park, giving us a chance to see the majority of the animals from a unique and relaxing perspective. It was such a fun and convenient way to explore the zoo. Another great feature was the variety of informative talks held at different animal enclosures throughout the day. These talks gave us the chance to learn more about the animals, their behaviors, and conservation efforts, all while getting a closer look at them. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. Overall, it was a brilliant experience—perfect for families, couples, or anyone who loves animals. Highly recommend visiting Colchester Zoo for a memorable and educational day out!

Excellent friendly and helpful staff, loved the little windows to hunt things in, loved the microscope for use, megladon teeth and jaw plus information was the star for 11 year old!! Perfect free thing to do for a couple of hours with the kids.

Few gems that appear in this compact museum. Does seem to be a decent place for children to explore a litttle bit. However, the place does feel a little tired and does require a facelift. There are some features that are engaging, however and there does appear to be some plans to modernise the place.

A shame that the minerals and sea birds had no labels and were difficult to view in very tall vertical cabinets. I miss the old display cases and they could save room by making smaller gift shops.

Great 1-2 hours of fun at the museum. Little one had lots to do and see. The creation stations with feathers, glue, googly eyes and paper plates was so fun. Great addition of the free sanitary products in the toilets too.

Was a lot different to what I was expecting but it was a very nice museum. Would highly recommend if you are in Colchester

Very nice place with a lot of History there! Very educative for the Kids. The musem also has a microscop and you can even see each Line which you have on your hand. I Recommend the place especially for families with Kids! ❤️

Really cute little museum, it's free entry so a great place to bring kids who are interested in science or need something to do on a rainy day. The staff are always so friendly and engage with the little ones, telling science facts etc. I brought my 11 year old sister and 9 year old brother here (but have been bringing them for several years!) and they particularly love: The microscope Firefly the fox The gift shop (prices are very reasonable) And the little play area in the middle. I'd absolutely recommend visiting if you have a spare hour :)

First time visiting the mercury theatre last Saturday evening to see the Illegal Eagles. Parking was very easy, Saint Mary's car park had lots of spaces and it was just a short walk and you were there. Small restaurant where you enjoy a meal before your show. Shop in the foyer for drinks or snacks and there's also a bar. There are stairs or lifts available to gain access to the theatre seating area. Very roomy area with air conditioning. Comfortable seats, some spacers for wheelchair users. Toilet facilities were ample and kept very clean. The lighting throughout the show was amazing as was the sound quality. Upon leaving the area I noticed that in what had been the restaurant area earlier there was a stand up show going on, so clearly there's a lot that happens here, so worth keeping an eye on their website to see what on. Good place to go for a night out.

Genuinely one of the best theatre venues I've ever visited. The auditorium is large but all on one tier, access to seats is pretty easy. The menu is reasonably priced and quite extensive. Slushies are always a bonus, and the pantos done here are a marvel.

My first visit to the Mercury Theatre exceeded expectations. The auditorium has raked seats ensuring that you get a clear view of the stage without having to peer around the heads of people in the rows in front of you, although the seats are a little narrow. The performance that I saw was slick, professional and the acoustics were very good. The actors could be heard clearly. There is a café and bar onsite and, an added bonus for the ladies, the toilets were plentiful, unlike in London where you all have to queue for two or three toilets. Parking at St Mary's car park was easy and only a few minutes walk to the theatre. I'll definitely be visiting again.

Loved the theatre but hated the performance of Private Lives . My wife and I left at the interval. This production had none of the waspish humour you expect in a Coward play. It was poorly acted...you didn't care what happened to the characters. We were, however, impressed by the theatre.

1st time visitor. Was very impressed with venue. Comfy rooms seats. Great sound. We saw endless love. Good show. Only comment would be upstairs bar was shut in interval and downstairs was rammed. Barely got drink before interval finished. Otherwise was great x

Wonderful auditorium, we went to see Adam Frost. We were up at the back when these really distracting noises started behind us during the second half. There was music, a compere and lots of singing and clapping. It was almost impossible to hear Adam Frost. Lots of people around us were complaining. We were apologised to at the end and told it was a party in the studio next door. One usherette said that people have complained a lot. THEN PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT MERCURY. A few more layers of insulation or no party when there's a speaker in the main auditorium. It can't be that difficult, but when you have paid good money to hear someone speak you do expect to be able to hear them.

What a wonderful place. Brilliant views from the second row. Good bar. Restaurant was offline but food is only a 3 minute walk away. Great staff. Snacks and water available on front desk. Briliant, show with the Simon and Garfunkel Story. Have to say it is a fantastic venue. Please support!

I love it there. The guide was very informative, not just about Roman Colchester but before they arrived and after they left. There are a couple of great models of the town and the Circus, and video footage of a chariot race. I have been twice, well worth a visit.

A very quiet archaeological centre open to the public, code to the site of a Roman Circus, that is a chariot race track. Unfortunately previous development has resulted in roads and buildings cutting through the brick and stone footings. However a replica of the starting gates has been built to give a visitor an idea of the scale of this Roman facility. The site has maps and models, both of the original Circus and second century Camulodunum, (now Colchester) The site may be a 10 minute walk from Colchester Town rail station. Entry was &£5, parking available and excellent staff with whom I discussed Roman subjects, and compared ideas about how similar some Roman and 21st century conditions related.

This museum shows what the circus would have been like well. With models and diagrams over laid over photos of existing. The use of different path ways in the area to show where the walls would have been is very good. Gives a real sense of size. They had people dressed as Romans teaching children who visited how to plan different Roman games. It was a lovely educational place to visit.

Very knowledgeable volunteers. With quite a few of the exhibits outside, it's good for accessibility and active children. Fascinating to find out about this ancient sport and its role in society at the time. It is slightly hidden away so I had the place to myself on my recent visit.

We visited towards the end of the day, we had parked nearby and just happened to notice it was open (on last few occasions we had gone past it was closed). We were greeted by the friendly staff who advised that the cafe shut a tad earlier than the museum so if we wanted drinks, best to do that first perhaps. Cafe has a selection of drinks and a few cakes. Prices are not bad, and there is a small amount of seating inside the museum but more outside (which is nice if the weather is good!) After myself and the kids had demolished a bit of cake between us we popped back in for a look around. It's very informative and the staff are more than happy to answer any questions but there is a lot to read - and possibly not as hands on kid friendly as you'd perhaps want a museum to be. They did however enjoy looking at the models and we tried a bit of spot this and that on the big pictures, which when they found what we was looking for we attempted to talk about! There is also a nice outside space for a small wonder, and if weather is good it's a really nice little area for a rest / chill. In terms of facilities there is a small car park, and there is toilets. Admission to the museum is not expensive - it cost me £3 and the kids were free (kids up to 11 are free). The visit was a nice diversion from a busy day in the town / city - it was quiet on our visit and we were there for just over an hour (but that included cake eating time). If you are keen on finding out about Colchesters roman past then this is a great place to come!

Great place to visit. Thank you Linda for your time and knowledge you shared with us. She guarantees the highest level of professionalism in her trade. Also, the best banana cake I've ever had. Highly recommended!

Great displays of how the city was back in Roman times. In particular, the circus and activities around this major sporting event at the time. Good cafe, too, for light snacks or meals. Served by lovely friendly staff. It's worth a visit.

Saw Solstice and Ebony Buckle in concert. Cute venue and easy to get to. Worth paying for the car park via the venue as it works out cheaper.

What resurrection of an old C of E church. Great lighting. Engaging maitre d. and a fun place to listen to your fave folkies. Two bars. And the award winning cistern chapel says it all about the amenities!

A hidden gem of Colchester. Beautiful venue with charm and character. The shows and gigs here are always of a very high standard, often better than mainstream events for a smaller fee. The staff is very welcoming, nice choice of drinks and snacks at the bar. It deserves more recognition.

What a fantastic intimate venue, with a great atmosphere to watch live music, super friendly and helpful staff, well stocked bars with drinks at sensible prices. Big stage and excellent lighting facilities, this was a surprising find and I very much look forward to a return visit.

Great shows, gigs and comedy

Colchester Arts Centre is based in a former church (the Church of Saint Mary-at-the-Walls, so named because it was close to the old Roman town walls). It opened as an arts centre in 1980, and hosts a range of live events such as concerts, comedy nights and DJ sets. It's a really good venue for gigs: I was there for The Wedding Present. It's intimate and impressive. The front-of-house staff, bar staff and security team are professional and friendly. The venue is easy enough to find, on a side street just next to the Mercury Theatre. For anyone driving, St Mary's multi-storey car park is just across the main road via a footbridge.

One of my favourite venues of all time, being that they have such a variety of acts from Folk to Acid Jazz, Live Art , Comedy , Theatre - you name it. And probably the best veggie chilli you experience.

These imposing ruins were part of one of the first Augustinian priories in England. They've stood at the heart of the community since the 1100s and are a fine example of early Norman architecture. The church was built in flint and reused Roman brick. It showcases massive circular pillars, round arches and an elaborate west front. It was badly damaged by cannon fire during the Civil War siege of 1648 and was never repaired.

A little let down by the place being a hang out for the local pot heads. However handy for a view of the Roman walls and a short walk to Colchester castle

Beautiful ruins but not much to see and the surrounding area is not inspiring.

Apart from the drunks it's an amazing place. Very atmospheric.

Went St Botolph's Priory to have look around as it was okay only 30 mins then left.

Wonderful ruins and definitely worth visiting.

Stunning. Highly recommended to visit this heritage to witness the amazing historic buildings.

Amazing staff here guided me and my husband through how our wedding will go. Lovely laid out room beautiful building entrance great for getting married lovely photo opportunity. We loved every moment ❤️

Wonderful and magical atmosphere hosted by very organised Colchester TownHall. Magnificent and spectacular performance of the quartet. I would advise to not miss it if you have the opportunity to go to any Candlelight concert. I can't wait for the next one, hoping to be soon.

Beautiful venue catering for a range of budgets, the old library was a particular favourite with its own bar. The only downside for us was no outdoor space.

It is located at the center of High Street. A great architectural design. The location is one of the busiest places in Colchester. Town hall hosts different festivals over the year and also accommodates social ceremonies

Great experience. Would highly recommend seeing the string quartet play a tribute to Queen. I wish there were more events like this in the area.

I had my wedding here in the community room and it was amazing I can’t believe it is the same price as Colchester registry office, it was so lovely to have a proper venue instead of in the library, staff were lovely so were the registrars and we got such lovely photos outside the town hall and on the stairs, amazing venue and really made my day special especially considering it was during covid, thank you very much, Mr and Mrs Millar

Excellent concept. Would have given 5* if I could have seen the musicians, would have been better on a raised platform. Great show nonetheless. 👏

Lovely spot to have drinks/cake, etc, whilst also enjoying a wide selection of art and other events. Near Castle Park down High Street/East Hill and firstsite. Great garden to enjoy weather permitting.

I loved the vibe here. The food in the Vegan Restaurant was very nice. I had a cheese and tomato toasted sandwich with sourdough bread and a mocha. There was a sculpture exhibition, a silent auction, and a folklore event with a pop-up shop. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.

The Minories is re-opened for public again. The garden area is really good which has an old summer house / monument and also planning to open the gardens for parties/ family picnics. They will be starting an in-house cafe soon. (Tea, Coffee, snacks and other refreshments) It also has an art exhibition hall.

I visited for an event put on by the East Anglia Folk Centre. The organisers were lovely, very welcoming, and personable. Accessibility, as with many historic buildings, poses some challenges, but they are very open and honest about what is and isn't available. They were also very accommodating when I spoke to someone about being uncomfortable on my chair, and they assisted swapping it for something with a full back. The building is beautiful, and the Folk Centre is full of folk inspired art, curios, and an extensive folk library. I can't wait to go back.

We recently had our small wedding at The Minories, and it was absolutely perfect. The venue itself is gorgeous — it strikes the perfect balance between traditional charm and a modern, stylish feel. It made for a lovely, intimate atmosphere that suited our day beautifully. The staff were fantastic throughout. They were helpful, attentive, and really went the extra mile to make sure everything ran smoothly. A special mention also goes to Sally for all the support with planning and being there on the day to support with everything. The food was outstanding and so many of our guests commented on how delicious everything was. The only downside is the limited parking, which made things a bit tricky for some of our guests. That said, it didn’t take away from what was an otherwise wonderful experience. If you’re planning a smaller wedding and want a unique, character-filled venue with excellent service and food, we’d absolutely recommend The Minories.

This is a beautiful Art gallery with a coffee shop and garden,, that also holds events with meeting rooms, we've kept meaning to visit,, the gallery even runs walks.. with welcoming& informative hosts.. The Colchester walking guide was also at the walking event held,, thank - you

Lovely Gallery open wed-sat

A hidden gem, at least you have to look out for the entrance. A haven within the hustle and bustle of Colchester and a great place to get away from the crowds. The service was excellent. We ordered the slow roast leg of lamb with new potatoes and a side salad.

The summer tea was lovely — refreshing and well-presented — but unfortunately, the breakfast was disappointing. The ciabatta sandwich looked promising, but the bread was soft and underbaked rather than crispy and fresh. Inside, the combination of butter, tzatziki, and hummus felt confused rather than creative — the flavors clashed and lacked balance. The thick-cut halloumi was especially underwhelming: bland, rubbery, and not even grilled or seasoned, leaving the sandwich dry and unappetizing (as shown in the photo). We also tried the vegetarian full English breakfast, which wasn’t much better. It lacked both taste and texture — more like a reheated hotel buffet than something you’d expect from a café with such a nice atmosphere. The setting is lovely, but the food, needs serious improvement.

Popped into have a breakfast with the Wife and thought I’d share this little gem. Great service and food and a lovely surroundings. The sausages were fab albeit the breakfast for some was maybe a little expensive but in this case you pay for what you get.

Had a really lovely brunch here today, felt very welcome and just a beautiful location to relax in!

While the setting is nice and rustic, the service and the food are rather lacking in substance. The sourdough bread wasn’t quite sourdough - more like plain white bread. When asked if crisps and coleslaw (default sides for the sandwiches) can be replaced with a different singular side, we were told that this is not the case and we’d have to pay extra. The avocado toast was tiny in contrast to the prices. The head waitress/front of house looked deeply unhappy or perhaps she just disliked us. Overall, would not recommend, despite the beautiful atmosphere.

If you are in the mood for being ripped off and left hungry then I highly recommend. I ordered the vegetarian breakfast which cost me £14 more or less. Half of a tomato ,one mushroom, a table spoon of avocado, Microwaved baked beans, deep fried halloumi and two poach eggs which I will give them credit for they managed to get that right. Don’t be fooled how the place looks , no substance. I don’t think you can serve that on a plate and trust me there was a lot of plate and then call your self a chef . I recommend weather over this place. At least you will get better value for money.

We walked in for a light lunch today. Just 3 small plates and a breakfast – ordered at 12:22pm. By 1:30pm, still no food and not even an update from staff. Other tables who arrived after us got up and left after waiting nearly an hour with no service. When I went to ask, I was simply told “it’ll be soon,” yet no one came over to check on us or offer an explanation. Eventually, we also asked to cancel our order. The response? A curt “done” – no apology, no acknowledgment, nothing. We’ve just moved here from London and I had been looking forward to trying this place and bringing my mum (who was visiting for the weekend). Sadly, the lack of communication, courtesy, and basic service made this a very disappointing experience. Completely unacceptable for a restaurant of this size.

This 15th century gate house decorated in East Anglian flint flushwork, vaulted roof and battlements is the only remains of the wealthy Benedictine Abbey of St. John believed to be founded in 1095 (The Abbey was demolished and its last Abbot Thomas Beche arrested & persecuted). The inmates of the Abbey were very wealthy and maintained a good lifestyle. This gate was believed to be built to protect & strengthen the defence of the Abbey and people living there, especially during the time period of peasants revolt in Colchester, when they tried to attack/ loot the Abbey. It is one of the overlooked monument although being in Colchester town.

Absolutely gorgeous! You can see it from far away as it definitely stands out amongst the modern architecture. It takes you back in time being able to see and touch it. I definitely would recommend.

Another important part in our English history and all that remains of the Benedictine Abbey of St John that was built in the 15th Century and is made of flint, that is just a short walk from the town and is a must to see if you're in this beautiful ancient area.

Former gatehouse to a large Abbey.nothing else to see

Lovely bit of history, somewhat overlooked and forgotten in the town / city...! Not going to exactly eat your time up looking round, needs a bit of tlc as noticed it had some smashed windows.

An attractive piece of mediaeval architecture which can be entered on Heritage Open days. There is not a great deal to see, but it is worth a visit. Redevelopment of the former garrison site to the south has opened up access recently and so it can now be visited from St. John’s Green (to the north) and from the south.

All I can say Is its lovely architecture to look at 😊 haven't been inside just flew the drone over for some pictures

The Jumbo Water Tower is an enormous grade ll listed monument. It is the largest surviving Victorian water tower in the country. From the elephant weather vane purched on the top to the base of the tower, it is 131 feet high and constructed using 1.2 million bricks and 819 tons of stone and cement. There is an information board next to the tower giving great details of the history of the tower. This fantastic building is well worth visiting for anyone interested in Victorian engineering.

Absolutely massive with great victorian architecture. This grade two listed water tower was completed in 1883 and was de commissioned in 1980 after serving Colchester with water for almost a century. It was nic named jumbo after London zoos famous elephant 🐘. Worth taking a walk around it to take in the amount of work and skill that went into it.

Visited as part of a privately organised group visit for the National Lottery Heritage Fund. A brilliant day, knowledgeable trustees and amazing views from the top.

Jumbo or also known as Balkan Water Tower, is the largest remaining Victorian water tower in Britain. Early Victorian Colchester relied for its water supply on many badly polluted wells, and a private Waterworks Company which supplied the wealthier parts of the town for a few hours each day. The 1875 Public Health Act made local Councils directly responsible for public health, and in 1880 Colchester Council bought the Waterworks. A new water tower near Balkerne Gate was soon proposed as part of a plan to provide a 24-hour supply to the whole town. However, the Rev John Irvine, Rector of St. Mary's (now the Arts Centre) protested that the tower would overshadow his Rectory (where the Mercury Theatre now stands). He called it a 'Jumbo', after London Zoo's famous elephant which had been sold, amid public outcry, to the American showman PT Barnum. The new tower was completed in 1883 and was hugely controversial, dividing Colchester's political elite along party lines. It was not immediately successful in providing a constant water supply in 1895, with the construction by James Paxm a new pumping station at the foot of Balkerne this was at last achieved. Jumbo served the town for over a century undecommissioned in the 1980s. Its distinctive still dominates Colchester's skyline.

Beautifully imposing structure, which does leave an impression on you. Love the design and is an important part of the history of this area.

I like this piece of architecture. You can't go in it and there has been damage done by vandals. After years of neglect work is being done on it, so sometime I'm hoping that a visit will be possible'

It’s not opened inside, but still amazing for its huge size.

Once a Roman Theatre, the current site only has a very small part or remains of the ancient Roman theatre which originally seated over 3000 people. There is also a small garden besides this site, which depicts a typical Roman garden.

This is an small excavated part of a Roman theatre. You can see it through a window and there are some information boards.

Closed on a Friday at 11:35am

Its brilliant for children. I used to take my daughter in there. And she loved it. There are puzzles to do. It's only a small museum but good to pop into.

We only were able to view from the outside through the window. It said it was open but the door was locked.

As awesome as it is to have one of the largest Roman theatres in England located in Colchester, it is rather disappointing at how it is being presented... You can only really see it through a locked door.

I was expecting something more I guess

This is situated just outside of the police station along southway. Not much to see or anything, but there is a couple of information boards to give you a better idea of what it is / was.

All that remains of this historically significant former church are the foundation stones. Interesting enough to see if you're walking down Southway, but so little remains, it hardly seems worth the effort otherwise...

Allegedly the first Christian church in Britain, this site may originally have been built for the mystery cult of Mithras. Either way, all that remains are the foundations and some stumps of walls. Along with a bench to admire them from. In one version of the myth, Mithras slays a sacred bull, which then transforms into the Moon. In another version, he slays the bull, shakes hands with the Sun, then the pair dine on the remains. You pays your money and you takes your choice. The site isn't too well signposted, but you'll fnd it next to Colchester police station.

(Translated by Google) Was a bit disappointing as there is only a hint of foundation stones on the ground! (Original) War etwas enttäuschend, da nur ein Hauch von Grundsteinen am Boden liegt!

Attractive part of Colchester that lies a little off the main street and was pleasantly quiet as a result. Lots of interesting historic buildings to see on the narrow streets, providing some good photo opportunities.

Enjoyed Heritage weekend there: Roman theatre, Saint Helen and St Martins as well as a great tour of the Town Hall

The most scenic area of Colchester, some of the wooden beam houses are more what you might expect to find in one of the Suffolk wool villages. Certainly worth a detour from the town centre in order to appreciate the architecture of the town's Dutch Quarter. Very hilly, narrow streets where some HGV-sized traffic has ventured & become hopelessly stuck, on occasion...

Loved it very oldy worldy area of Colchester Town

If you love old timber framed architecture you need get to yourself lost in the Dutch Quarter. Lots of lanes to wander down. There's black & whites, jettied ones (one is impossibly front heavy!) as well as up to 19th century & modern housing. Wonderful for camera exercise. 👍📷

Quiet part of town, named after Flemish immigrants who settled there in the 1500s? Redeveloped by Colchester Borough council in like style and now houses a variety of properties and other buildings.

Just getting started 😁🙏☦️🙏

This mill is small (expect to spend an hour or so here) but the volunteers are fabulous welcoming, kind and very knowledgeable they went out of their way to make the visit special. We sat by the pond and enjoyed a cup of tea … by far the best cuppa I have had at a national trust property.

Hardly ever open - pity Mill pond makes a nice photo and you can walk along the stream.

Small place and not open all the time. Car park has space for about 3 cars, so gives you a guide of how busy it usually gets! (You can however park just down the road if need to!) With all that said its a random little visit of a place situated in an area you perhaps wouldn't expect. Its actually fairly peaceful considering its location!!

Small but extremely picturesque National Trust Property. Bourne Mill is a 16th Century building, set alongside a large pond. Its grounds may not be large, but they are charming nonetheless. The outdoor sitting area provides an excellent place to stop for a cup of tea or coffee, next to the pond. The mill itself provides an excellent glimpse into the local happenings during Elizabethan times, and the working water wheel is a sight worth seeing. On a nice day, this place also provides plenty of photo opportunities.

Small and very cute place. Recommended to take a look.

Parking for 4 cars only but plenty of free on street parking nearby. The mill is a quick place to visit but is worth it.

Very beautiful mill shame it was not open, the gate had a padlock n chain on it and the opening times had been scribbled off, the mill itself is still visable from a public footpath and there's a footpath/woodland walk/brook that runs in the opposite direction just the past the mill, would love to visit, it is not open (Jan 2022) sadly, no explanation given, nothing on the website either! Would love to visit properly

The Romans built a monumental arch here in AD 49 to mark the foundation of Roman Colchester. In AD 60 Boudica and her followers burnt Colchester to the ground. Following this disaster the Romans enclosed the town with a stone wall to protect it from further attack. The monumental arch was incorporated into the new west gate which gave access to the main road to London. Around two hundred years later the town defences were strengthened against the threat of Saxon raids. During the Middle Ages the wall radually ceased to be used for defence although it was repaired at various times. After the siege of Colchester in 1648 sections of the wall were pulled down and others were built over. A house, now the 'Hole in the Wall' pub, was built on top of theremains of the Balkerne Gate. A reconstruction painting showing the Belkerne Gate as it might have appearedThe largest Roman gateway in Britain The Romans built a monumental arch here in AD 49 to mark the foundation of Roman Colchester. In AD 60 Boudica and her followers burnt Colchester to the ground. Following this disaster the Romans enclosed the town with a stone wall to protect it from further attack. The monumental arch was incorporated into the new west gate which gave access to the main road to London. Around two hundred years later the town defences were strengthened against the threat of Saxon raids. During the Middle Ages the wall radually ceased to be used for defence although it was repaired at various times. After the siege of Colchester in 1648 sections of the wall were pulled down and others were built over. A house, now the 'Hole in the Wall' pub, was built on top of the remains of the Balkerne Gate. A reconstruction painting showing the Belkerne Gate as it might have appeared around AD 40. The surviving part of the gate is shown in grey. o Peter Froste Vi We do not know the origin of the word Balkerne or why it was used for this gate. around AD 40. The surviving part of the gate is shown in grey. o Peter Froste Vi We do not know the origin of the word Balkerne or why it was used for this gate.

Balkerne Gate is the largest Roman gateway (into the old Roman town) remaining in England, which was believed to be built in 49 AD to commemorate the foundation of Roman province in Colchester. This gateway along with the long stretch of Roman walls were built also to strengthen the defence against attacks, especially from the Saxons. We can see only the remains of this historic monument, which was destroyed during different periods including the siege of Colchester. It is located near to the Mercury Theatre and the Jumbo Water Tower in Colchester Town Centre. This location is quite picturesque as well.

We visited Colchester last weekend 5th sept. Agree with some of the previous comments ie that if you were in Colchester the gate is worth a look at but probably not worth a specific visit for. We walked the route of the wall I envisaged walking on an elevated wall around the city. It’s not like that at all. It’s very patchy and you don’t actually walk on the wall itself. If you’ve been to York or Chester you ll be disappointed (accepting that the bulk those walls were built later by the normans albeit on Roman foundations ). I know some people may think I’m being disrespectful to Colchester, I’m not as we had a great time and the people were lovely. But just being honest about the wall itself.

Barkerne Gate - the largest Roman gateway in Britain. The Romans built the monumental arch here in AD 49 to mark the foundation of Roman in Colchester. In AD 60 Boudica and the followers burnt Colchester to the ground. Following the disaster, the Romans enclosed the the town with the stone wall to protect it from further attacks. The monumental arch was incorporated into the new west gate, which gave access to the main road to London. Around 200 years later, the town defences were straightened against the threat of Saxon raids. During the Middle ages, the wall gradually ceased to be used for defence, although it was repaired at various times. After the seige of Colchester in 1648, sections of the wall were pulled down and others were built over. A house, now the "Hall in the wall" pub, was built on the top of the remains of the Balkerne Gate. The origin of the name Balkerne or why it was used for this Gate is unknown.

Not much left of a Roman gateway that played such an important part/role of this Countries history, it still looks well kept even though only ruins remain & is next to a lovely looking pub very aptly named hole in the wall.

A not particularly well preserved gate in the Roman Wall of the city. Worth a visit if in the area, but not for a specific trip. The bonus is the pub built on part of the original gate.

Old Colchester is surrounded by a wall built by the the Romans and added to in the mediaeval period.

Lovely Landmark Trust property. Enjoyed our stay and found the central location very useful. My daughter and I thought the beds were comfortable but my husband thought them too hard. The taps were a surprise, they turned the wrong way and the front door was difficult to open. You had to position the keys just so to unlock it. I managed, as did my husband, but our daughter could not get the knack. However, we largely had a very pleasant stay and found the place homely and cosy. Location is very handy for the park, river walks, castle and high street.

The central Earthworks are the highlight of Lexden Park. Featuring some of the biggest and oldest Oaks in Colchester, as well as a fine Beech and several Lime trees, this location is one of the best locally.

Small car park, no facilities, other than two picnic benches. Could really do with an Information board telling the Roman history ETC. Having said that, it is a lovely place for dog walking, up into the woods & back around again. Great to keep these places for the public & not turned into building sites.

Great place for a small walk

Lovely walks with our dog Daisy so peaceful and tranquil

Historic beauty spot. There is a bronze age pathway you can walk along. Go in may/June to see the bluebells. In the woods you can still see the blockades that were put there to try to stop the advancing Romans. If you squint your eyes you can almost see the fairies that make this area so magical

Lovely place to walk the dogs but not much in the way of information about its history (like other parts of Colchester). You can find info online though

Nice walk but very short unless it's combined with duck pond.

Whilst personally not a religious man, I am always impressed with how pretty this little church is. It lies very central in Colchester town, ignored by many who pass by. Today the purple crocuses looked beautiful.

Pretty, but looks to be completely closed to the public

An outstanding Saxon tower, built from local septaria and Roman ruins, best viewed walking up Trinity Street. I could just imagine walking up there, seeing it in Saxon times.

Has an amazing Late-Saxon (early 11th Century) tower with cute arrow-shaped doorway.

Never there but an ancestor attended services there 1842

Needs to be used. Lovely historic site

A few nice stores around and usually some music playing to keep an atmosphere. Great to see lots of street vendors. Definitely check out the fruit and veg stand.

Lovely old town with plenty of quirky shops around. Plenty of parking surrounding the area. Loads of cafes/restaurants and central toilets. Pretty much a bit of everything and you can always head down to the castle and enjoy a scenic walk or visit the museum.

Lovely place to browse,shop or just stop for a snack

Nice range of shops including H&M and tkmaxx. There is also costa which is a lovely coffee shop. It is a shame Debenhams has shut but a new shop will take its place!!!!! Nice seasonal additions such as deckchair seating in summer and a fairy Castle at Christmas

H&M the suit I bought is not of quality. The pants keep falling down. The jacket sleeves are not fitted, I needed the suit for an interview. The pants were a size 14 my size, and they only had a size 10 or 12 jacket, so I can't do the buttons up. The woolen L tights I bought were too small after washing them. Clarks Shoe shop-I purchased a pair of boots £120:00 which gave me blisters, so I returned the other pair of shoes, they were of hard leather and too heavy for my knees. But, the plus side is there is an Organic Plant Juice stand in the square. Jenni makes the best Spirulina from New Zealand, cucumber, orange, fresh turmeric, lime, beetroot, carrot juice. Jenni is there Wednesday to Friday. I feel great after the nourishing juices, definitely worth a try. Also on Facebook 😁💯

Very friendly staff. Fresh fruits, lovely tasty shakes and smoothies. Fair prices. I will highly recommend them. Look forward to coming back soon.

LOTS of shops around here. You could easily spend a day!

I recently visited Rowhedge Village Hall to Vote! It's a great facility for the local community with two large halls. There is very good parking here and the Halls are used for classes, Clubs and numerous activities. It's very clean and well run! There is a lovely quilt that depicts places in the village and local community. It's been made with skill and loving care and is on show for viewing. Outside there is a great Mural of the Village showing The War Memorial on Lion Quay and the Spitfire Fly Past .

We come here every week with our Granddaughter to use the outdoor play area. The Village Hall, Playing Field and Outdoor Play Area are all kept well and very well utilised. There is always something going on. There is also a Football Club on the Playing Field. Its very much a Village Hub. A place for all of the Community!

This is a very Nate tidy pleasant little village Hall with multiple function rooms A viewing gallery in the main Hall Good parking facilities and a very large playing fields with basketball court also a children's play area and a small Woodland walk at the back of the field very nicely situated

Very good place to use for family events and parties, also for meetings only one personal comment and that would be it's a bit dated and needs a fresh look not a lit just a bit of updating.

Nice place, clean and tidy. My son go there for table tennis.

Attended here for our flu jabs again. So well organised swiftly in and out. Lovely staff, super friendly and professional.

Good hall

Very simple station. Clean but no facilities for disabled and elderly persons

Arrived at wivenhoe station to find it Closed. 13.30 all doors locked & no notices up. Man on bench told me its getting a regular thing with not being open. Wanted to purchase senior rail card. Dont live in wivenhoe so not returning...

After a fantastic walk along the river, you find the trains back to London are every hour, fortunately there is The Station pub, friendly staff, great bear and Sunday papers, did I say every hour, I meant every 2 hours possible 3!

A basic station on the aptly named Sunshine Coast Line between Colchester and Thorpe-Le-Soken. Not really much in the way of facilities, but at the very least, there's a ticket office, car park, long platforms, seating and shelter. Step free access is available on each side but the footbridge itself is stepped only. Local buses stop right outside too, giving access towards other local areas and Colchester too as an alternative route during disruption.

Very unhelpful and unfriendly personnel. I asked to make a bike reservation and the man working there told me that he has never done it before, so, although I told him that I've done it multiple times, he didn't even attempt to make one. If greater Anglia decides to change its bike policy, they should at least inform their employees about how to handle it. Their phone booking system is also a nightmare.

Train station between Clacton and Colchester. Trains seem to be every hour. Nice station in a beautiful village

Young lady this morning couldn’t have been more helpful was a pleasure to deal with lovely young lady thank you

We went to see a play there. It's a fantastic venue for fringe theatre. perhaps could do with cleaner washing facilities.

Beautiful church and precious for Christian Orthodox people.

Such a wonderful community to be with in the Divine Liturgy!

Went to see a charity show. Beautiful church but so cold!

It's a Christian orthodox church. Need some help to upgrade it .

Fantastically beautiful

What a lovely event for the homeless.

Brilliant church and friendly parishioners, made to feel welcome

Very well kept churchyard

Simply wonderful church

A lovely building to visit

Spiritual

I was there for a weekday service (visiting Colchester) and was pleasantly surprised by how many people were there, and the mixture of ethnicities. The parishioners and the priest Father Philip were friendly and welcoming. I will certainly attend mass again next time I am in Colchester.

As a recent returnee to Colchester it means the world to me that I'm going to the wonderful Catholic Church where I was received on the Easter Vigil 1999. It is a glorious church with Godly & committed clergy and a vibrant n diverse congregation- truly Catholic in every sense. My heart is filled with joy at the thought of going there.

Divine and holy place for peaceful prayers. Priests and other staff are extremely helpful

Such a peaceful and pious church. Lovely atmosphere and excellent service

Just going down memory lane on Google maps. 55 years ago as a 10 year old was a alter server here. Hasn't changed much but good memories. Hopefully popping out to colchester in the summer. So I pop in

I find this church so peaceful and comforting and I'm so thankful for the help given to me over the phone and at the church,the lady was so understanding and sympathetic ,thank you

Enjoy playing the organ for Sunday 10.30 mass. Have made any friends over the last 16 years