Discover Colchester

Colchester offers a range of things to focus on during your stay: Castle Park, divided by a Roman town wall; historic buildings; country parks; and natural areas nearby. When looking for a hotel, you can plan your trip around what interests you in Colchester and its surroundings: history, routes through green spaces, or wildlife and landscapes. The specific features of each place can help you decide what to focus on.

Parks with different features

Castle Park covers 25 hectares. Colchester’s Roman town wall divides it into an upper and a lower area. The park’s paths let you explore its history and wildlife. High Woods Country Park offers a different experience: meadows and woodland, along with a lake, define this country park; it also has play areas, a Nordic walking trail and a community garden. The comparison is clear: Castle Park’s highlights are the Roman town wall, its division into two areas, and paths linked to history and wildlife. High Woods brings together different types of landscape and several named facilities. Depending on whether you are more interested in the historical layout or this mix of features, you can give the parks different priorities.

Wildlife and landscapes

Colchester Zoological Society is set in a 60-acre landscape with parkland and lakes. It is home to more than 150 animal species; animal collections may change. Fingringhoe Wick Nature Reserve is also near Colchester. It overlooks the Colne Estuary and offers far-reaching views. The nature experiences differ: at the Zoological Society, the focus is on animal species and a landscape with parkland and lakes; at Fingringhoe Wick, it is on views of the estuary and the expansive scenery. This can help you decide whether to plan for wildlife or landscape views during part of your trip.

Historic buildings

Colchester’s historic buildings also differ in their significance. Colchester Castle is the largest Norman keep in Europe. St Botolph’s Priory was the first Augustinian priory church in England. The gatehouse of St John’s Abbey is the only above-ground building that remains from the former abbey precinct. These offer different points of interest: the size of the keep, the ecclesiastical history of St Botolph’s Priory, and the state of preservation of the former abbey precinct. When comparing them, you can consider three aspects: building size, ecclesiastical significance and surviving fabric.

Routes and guided tours

The Wivenhoe Trail is an informal route of about 5 miles from Colchester city centre to the river town of Wivenhoe. You can start the route in Castle Park, on the banks of the River Colne. The approximate length gives you an indication of the distance, while the city centre and Wivenhoe indicate the route’s direction. If you would rather explore Colchester on a guided tour, you can book one at the Colchester Visitor Information Centre. Opening hours and contact details may change, so check them in advance if you are planning a tour.

Discover more destinations: Great Baddow, Brightlingsea, Clavering, Frinton-On-Sea, Great Hallingbury, West Mersea, Sible Hedingham, Burnham-On-Crouch

For the main travel overview: Essex.