Situated in the middle of Essex, Colchester stands as Britain’s oldest town, packed with vibrant culture, rich history, and modern charisma. Whether you are looking to explore trendy cafes or stimulating Roman ruins, there is a lengthy list of things to do in Colchester, UK.
Thus, if you are planning a visit, you must delve into this blog for complete details about the top places to visit in Colchester, activities to indulge in, and must have experiences here. So, let’s buckle up and start!
Table of Contents
1. What’s the best time of year to explore Colchester attractions?
2. Is Colchester a good place for families and kids to visit?
3. Are there any guided tours available in Colchester?
4. Can you explore Colchester on foot, or is transport needed?
5. Are there student-friendly attractions or hangout spots in Colchester?
This city stands as an ideal spot in the United Kingdom for utilizing your holidays, offering a wide range of places to visit in Colchester on a budget. Whether you are planning to pursue your higher education, planning a trip with friends, or looking for career growth, Colchester has it all for you. Moreover, especially for international students, this city offers convenient student accommodation in Colchester, which allows easy and safe exploration prospects.
Thus, to make it easy for you, here is a curated list of fantastic places in Colchester that must consider visiting. Let’s read them one by one!
The Colchester Castle Park is a picturesque spot allowing you to spend a peaceful day on the capacious lawn. Moreover, it is a Grade II listed historical green area, covering the Castle and the Hollytrees Mansion. It has a division into the upper part and the lower one, along with featuring formal lawns in the upper part. The lower area includes a more natural feel in itself sheltering the River Colne.
Address: - High St, Colchester CO1 1UG, UK
Guided Tour: - Yes, a guided tour is available.
Reviews: - Well-maintained serene and beautiful park.
Opening Hours: - Monday to Sunday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
To explore various things to do in Colchester, starting with its town hall is something right, one can do. Besides, it is a family-friendly historic building in the heart of the city, constructed by John Belcher in 1897. This place is considered ideal for civic events and is also hired privately for weddings and other functions. Tourists can easily reach this place with reliable guides or also on their own.
Address: - High Street, Colchester, CO1 1PJ, UK.
Guided Tour: - Yes, a guided tour is available.
Reviews: - Hall with impressive architecture and perfect for a wedding venue.
Opening Hours: - Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
The Colchester Arts Centre stands as a multiple arts place that is situated in a historic building. Moreover, it is a perfect place for tourists and offers an extensive range of events. Attending these events is considered one of the right things to do in Colchester, UK. Besides, it hosts events of different types, such as comedy, live, theatre, music, and more. Lastly, it is recognized for its suitability and comfort, representing emerging talents.
Address: - Church St, Colchester CO1 1NF, United Kingdom
Guided Tour: - Yes, a guided tour is available.
Reviews: - Intimate atmosphere hosting great events and have efficient staff.
Opening Hours: - Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
(Closed on Sundays)
This garden was first planted by Beth Chatto in the year 1960. He is said to be an expert in gardening, and he was an author. Also, it is made with love, dedicated pruning, and care. You can visit this place any time of the year as it gives a vibrant and refreshing feel that will soothe your mind and body. Moreover, it is considered to be one of the most loved places in Colchester as you are allowed to pick a souvenir from its nursery and relish this moment your whole life.
Address: - Clacton Rd, Elmstead Market, Elmstead, Colchester CO7 7DB, United Kingdom
Guided Tour: - Yes, a guided tour is available.
Reviews: - Peaceful and unique nursery with vibrant and beautiful gardens.
Opening Hours: - Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
(Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
It is a small beach on Mersea Island in Essex offering a pleasant and calm atmosphere with colourful huts. Moreover, it is next to a private holiday park and is famous among people who take their pets for a walk in nature. Also, you can enjoy being a spectator for various kinds of water sports that take place here. Thus, with clear & clean water, you can add it to your things to do in Colchester list.
Address: - 401 Victoria Esplanade, Colchester CO5 8DE, England.
Guided Tour: -While this place itself does not offer tours, several alternate options are accessible to explore the area.
Reviews: - A very calm and enjoyable place to visit with less public.
Opening Hours: - This beach is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
With a variety of features, such as diverse animal collections, educational programs, and more, this zoo boasts 150 + species and is known for their conservation. If you are an international student here, you can benefit from their educational tour service more conveniently as its location is near your accommodation in UK. Besides, as a traveller, you can make the most of their quality facilities including interactive play areas, shops, and various eateries, making it a very popular spot.
Address: - Maldon Rd, Stanway, Heckfordbridge, Colchester CO3 0SL, United Kingdom
Guided Tour: - Yes, a guided tour is available.
Reviews: - It offers a positive atmosphere; however, a long queue is noted.
Opening Hours: - Monday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
(Closes only on Christmas Day)
The next place that you can add to your things to do in Colchester list stands as the Green Island Gardens, situated in Ardleigh, Colchester, England. Moreover, this garden is 20-acre wide and globally esteemed for nurturing diverse species of plants. One who loves nature, trees and greenery, must check this place out. A guided tour is available that will help you to learn more about this place and a variety of species; which will be new to you.
Address: - Green Island Gardens, Park Rd, Ardleigh, Colchester CO7 7SP, United Kingdom
Guided Tour: - Yes, a guided tour is available.
Reviews: - Well-maintained serene and beautiful park.
Opening Hours: - Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
(Closed on Mondays)
The Colchester Castle Park carries a perfect blend of playgrounds with authentic castle vibes. It is a Victorian park holding a national standing offering swings for distinct age groups. Moreover, if you are eager to learn about the historical site with a mix of fun, it is the right spot to dig into as it confines 2000 + years of history.
Address: - Unnamed Road, Near Colchester Castle, Colchester CO1 1UN, UK
Guided Tour: - No, a guided tour is not available.
Reviews: - Well-maintained playground for kids with better surroundings.
Opening Hours: - Monday to Sunday: 24 Hours
Situated in Colchester’s city centre, this theatre is reputed as a producing body that cabinets both, the original productions & the touring shows. Moreover, it majorly boasts the arts of Colchester and offers distinct plays, musical nights, and a variety of other shows. Thus, while visiting Colchester, do not forget to check out this exclusive theatre.
Address: - Mercury Theatre has two locations: -
Guided Tour: - No, it’s just a cinema, thus no tour is available.
Reviews: - Always getting a praising review about quality and production.
Opening Hours: - Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
(Closed on Mondays)
This property should be included in your things to do in Colchester checklist as it offers quite a calming green atmosphere. Located in the heart of Essex, it allows you to surround yourself with natural beauty with over 1000 years of history. Also, it lets you explore ancient woodland offering you a unique opportunity to visit new continents in their outstanding Arboretum. So, must visit this estate and look into its role in protecting nature for your better future.
Address: - Coggeshall, Colchester CO6 1TG, UK
Guided Tour: - Yes, a guided tour is available.
Reviews: - Beautiful property with classic grounds and peaceful atmosphere.
Opening Hours: - Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Closed on Mondays)
Apart from top attractions in Colchester, this city offers several fun activities that you can do with your friends & families. From delving into history to cultural insights and seal-watching, here is a vast list of all the activities. So, let’s look at them one by one!
When you visit Colchester, you should not miss its cultural and historical landmarks. There are several places to experience such historical spots, such as local museums, Roman ruins, and many others as they offer the perfect experience one must have in a lifetime. Moreover, these sites are marked as the best things to do in Colchester and can book a guided tour for the same.
For an unforgettable seal-watching boat tour, you must head toward the Essex coast. You will find seals basking on the sandbank and relishing the scenic view. This family-savvy adventure is considered the best things to do in Colchester for people seeking an exclusive and outstanding wildlife encounter.
Aiming at young and curious minds, this place is perfect for an adventurous & fun trip. It is situated in the historic All Saints Church. Moreover, it holds a reputation because of displays the natural history of this region, consisting of various exhibits, mock-up badger sets, and more. Also, it is known as the perfect place for kids to explore hands-on activities. Thus, small yet the best place to visit once in a lifetime with friends or family.
Situated near Alresford, this centre stands as a hidden gem for people who are always keen to know more about science and nature. In addition, it offers a wide range of interactive exhibitions that are totally wildlife, environmental, and ecology focused. Especially, kids love this place and have the desire to come back to this natural scenic atmosphere. Thus, the right place for blending education with fun and gaining indelible insights.
If you are a big fan of walking in nature surrounded by water, then this is the perfect spot. It offers a pleasant walk in a picturesque scene with wildlife, & boats. Thus, an ideal spot in a little outside area from the town centre and is known to be one of the perfect Colchester attractions for everyone.
The heart of Colchester stands to be the place where “Castle Park Boating Lake” is situated, offering paddle boats within serene settings. Moreover, it is a fantastic spot enclosed by gardens and state-specific history, ideal for families and couples alike. Thus, if you ever visit Colchester, you must have this peaceful experience on your checklist.
Do not just bind yourself as a foreign student or a tourist in this city, rather embrace new aspects of life here with must-do experiences. Just try to live every moment with grace and say yes to thrilling activities in Colchester. In this section of the blog, you will answer the most frequently asked question, i.e. ‘what to do in Colchester’ for understanding fun from a broader horizon. So, let’s unleash the must-do experience for you as a global scholar or a tourist in Colchester.
The city of Colchester offers several outdoor events and prospects for exposure to nature. Moreover, the list includes a variety of sites, such as Wyvernwood, Colchester Castle Park, Abberton Reservoir Visitor Centre and many more, offering both exploration and exposure.
Just wander around the bright paved lanes of the Dutch Quarter, which holds a better status among the tourist community because of its historical timber-framed buildings. Moreover, the area boasts various independent high-class cafeterias, and diners, along with artistic shopping centres offering you the best tale of your life. As one of the most exclusive Colchester tourist attractions, this place is a perfect combination of history with stylish trends within a walkable ethos.
Besides shopping, eating, and experiencing nature, Sightseeing Roman History through its historical walls, fascinating half-collapsed ancient buildings, & more stands as a vibrant feeling to have in Colchester. These things attract people with a keen interest in history and learning different cultural facts that are around 2000 years old.
The last and the best experience to have in Colchester is exploring hidden gems on foot around its charming streets, where new meets old. Moreover, hunt native markets, value street art, and relish the most comfortable atmosphere. Thus, these immersive adventures provide an authentic everyday life taste while being enclosed by a few of the prime Colchester tourist attractions just a small step away.
To sum up, Colchester stands to be the prime location, which boasts a variety of things to do and must-have unique experiences. From Colchester Castle Park to Town Hall and Arts Centre, it has everything catering to each preference. Basic yet exclusive treasures to hunt, like shopping or dining at a local small spot add much more to your trip and let you feel cosy like a home away from home. Hence, you are now aware of all the top public attractions and must to do activities in Colchester. Don’t stop now from making lifelong cherished memories and plan your trip today!
ANS. The perfect time to explore this city is typically from March to May, i.e. spring and from June to August, i.e. summer. The reason behind exploring Colchester during these seasons stands to be in its weather, which is usually pleasant for sightseeing and experiencing outdoor activities. However, this is perfect for every season and offers the best exploration insights for tourists.
ANS. Yes, this city stands as an ideal destination for families and kids, offering a perfect blend of outdoor activities, historical attractions, and family-savvy events. Especially, for children, the Colchester instils various top attractions, such as Wyvernwood and Colchester Zoo. Regarding the summer breaks of students, it boasts several family-friendly activities, which provide a special fun time.
ANS. Yes, this city boasts a variety of guided tours for tourists to experience its rich historical culture, along with its legacy. Generally, the variety of these tours ranges from walking tours to special historical tours to unique places, such as Dedham or any other hidden gem.
ANS. The city center of Colchester stands to be pedestrian-savvy, which makes walking a much more suitable option instead of any other transport means. This city boasts a variety of places that can be measured on foot without making you feel absurd. Yet, the city also has a strong transport system, which includes cars, cycling, and others that can be proven as a convenient option for those who overlook walking.
ANS. Yes, Colchester has several student-friendly sightseeing attractions and hangout places. These places cater for your distinct budget preferences and interests perfectly. Moreover, a few sights that you must explore are listed below: -
11 People watching now
Chat with Expert
11 People watching now
Let us shortlist and book accommodations that match your preferences—all for a small amount
Service charge
Chat with Expert
Most Affordable
Get 24x7 Facilities
Convenience & Comfort
Clean & Hygienic
We are available in :
LondonBirminghamNewcastleManchesterLiverpoolLutonPortsmouthPrestonLeicesterSheffieldBristolReadingDerbyEdinburghGlasgowNottinghamLeedsCanterburyBathSunderlandDisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities and properties used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding Homes does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
