Things to do in Colchester

Take on the clock at a premier escape room, jump around a trampoline park, visit one of the finest zoos in Europe, bowl a perfect game, see the latest blockbusters, test your balance paddleboarding, and dress to impress for the weekend roller disco. And that’s just the start.

Join us on a tour of the town’s historic buildings, beginning with Colchester Castle before taking in the Roman theatres, an Augustinian convent, a Benedictine monastery, the glorious Tudor Layer Marney Tower and plenty more. Plus, we stop off for a picnic in Colchester’s stunning parks.

Between the stunning multi-million-pound Firstsite contemporary art gallery, the Castle Museum, and a calendar of top-class cultural events, it’s hardly a surprise that Colchester is one of the most important towns in the east of England when it comes to culture.

Along with the Mercury Theatre, Colchester’s entertainment scene boasts some brilliant options in terms of live music, comedy and sports. Take a look at our guide to find out when and where you can find our top comedy clubs, blues evenings, jam sessions, and gig nights.

Considering it takes less than ten minutes to make your way from one side of Colchester town centre to the other, the best way of getting around town is by foot. Nevertheless, we’ve gathered together all the public transport information you'll need.

People don’t tend to come to Colchester purely for the nightlife, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised that it’s actually pretty good. You can enjoy sophisticated drinks at one of the town’s top bars, or late night dancing in the quirky mix of clubs. Plus, there are some sublime Colchester pubs if you want to pop in for a pint somewhere.

Colchester’s food scene is as diverse as it is delicious. Dotted around the town centre you can take your pick from a variety of restaurants in Colchester, tasting your way through Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and the best of British cuisine . Plus there’s a cracking collection of cafés serving everything from vegan-friendly snacks to waistband-busting breakfasts.

If the shopping bug bites during your stay in Colchester, there are plenty of good shopping options for you to choose from, ranging from the independent shops of the town centre’s historic lanes to the modern shopping centres full of your favourite high street names.

Built on the ruins of a Roman temple, home of the largest surviving Norman keep in Europe, and housing one of the finest collections of artefacts in the region, Colchester Castle is right up there at the top of the town’s list of attractions.