What to do in Colchester

Activities, attractions and tours

Colchester featuring markets and signage as well as a large group of people
Layer Marney Tower showing heritage architecture, heritage elements and château or palace
Beth Chatto Garden featuring forests and a park
Colchester featuring heritage elements, an administrative building and interior views
Colchester

Places to Visit in Colchester

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Colchester, England while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Colchester attractions from NZ$15, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Colchester tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 5 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Colchester. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Colchester Zoo

Visit Colchester Zoo for a delightful family day out. Observe frolicking Patagonian Sea lions as you travel beneath them through an underwater tunnel. Board the Madagascar Road train to cross the lemur enclosure and catch one of the many daily feeding sessions and falconry exhibitions.
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Colchester Zoo featuring animals and zoo animals

2. Colchester Castle Park

Lay your picnic rug down and stretch out on the grass as you gaze across the River Colne at Colchester Castle Park. Behind you rises the impressive Colchester Castle, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. Divided in two by a Roman wall, the Victorian style park features a lower and upper areas with different purposes. Come to relax, exercise or play alongside throngs of Colchester locals.
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Colchester Castle Park showing heritage architecture and château or palace

3. Layer Marney Tower

Clamber up the Layer Marney Tower for views across the Essex countryside and the River Blackwater. The tower has over 500 years of history to discover and is filled with historic artifacts and relics. When the weather permits a stroll around the gardens or along the Wildlife Walk is a great way to spend an afternoon in Colchester and a great way to see some local bird life around the Blackwater Estuary.
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Layer Marney Tower which includes château or palace, heritage elements and heritage architecture

4. Beth Chatto Garden

Visit the Beth Chatto Gardens to see years of hard work that have culminated in a majestic garden. Walk around to discover the contrasts between the dry Gravel Garden and the rich tones of the Water Garden. See the bursts of colour in the Woodland Garden each spring and autumn and stand in wonder at the Scree Garden. Afterwards, take a break at the tearoom or take some plants home from the nursery.
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Beth Chatto Garden which includes flowers, wild flowers and a garden

5. Colchester Town Hall

Take a look at Colchester Town Hall’s ornate exterior and then enter the impressive building to see beautifully decorated rooms. There’s the council chambers with ceiling paintings and stained-glass windows, as well as the first library in Colchester. The Moot Hall is home to a large organ still used today.
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Colchester showing heritage architecture

6. Mercury Theatre

Book in for a night of music, comedy, theater or dance at Mercury Theatre. Come to this cultural center to see a national or international touring show or take in one of the performances by the excellent “Made in Colchester” theater group. The events program runs throughout the year. You’ll find more local talent on display in the Digby Gallery within the same building.
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Colchester featuring interior views and theatre scenes

7. firstsite

Visit Firstsite in Colchester’s cultural center to admire some of the newest, most cutting-edge artwork in the U.K. Take in the striking design of the modern building and learn about the artworks by taking a tour. Attend a class or a workshop or sit in the large auditorium to view one of the regular screenings. If you are looking for a night out with a difference, eat at Firstsite’s popular restaurant.
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Colchester showing modern architecture

What to do in Colchester

Discover the most popular places to visit in Colchester

Colchester Zoo featuring animals and zoo animals

Colchester Zoo

Get up close to huge mammals, watch as birds of prey swoop above your head and come face to face with deadly reptiles at one of the best zoos in Britain.

Colchester Zoo
Colchester Castle Park showing heritage architecture and château or palace

Colchester Castle Park

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Take a pedalo for a spin on the lake, practicing your putting at the mini golf course or just put your feet up in Colchester’s favourite park.

Colchester Castle Park
Flatford Mill

Flatford Mill

Find out about the history of Colchester when you take a trip to Flatford Mill. Visit the spas and lively bars in this relaxing area.

Flatford Mill
Layer Marney Tower which includes château or palace, heritage elements and heritage architecture

Layer Marney Tower

4/5(1 review)

The tallest Tudor gatehouse in England is a great place to spend an afternoon outdoors, exploring the knot garden, farm and the historic grounds.

Layer Marney Tower
Beth Chatto Garden which includes flowers, wild flowers and a garden

Beth Chatto Garden

5/5(1 review)

When master gardener Beth Chatto designed these spectacular arrangements she included plants from a variety of habitats around the world.

Beth Chatto Garden
Colchester showing heritage architecture

Colchester Town Hall

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Colchester’s Baroque town hall, a heritage-listed building with Victorian tower and antique organ, has been the focus of civil duties for over 800 years.

Colchester Town Hall
Colchester featuring interior views and theatre scenes

Mercury Theatre

Enjoy a play, a musical performance or some hilarious comedy at Colchester’s premier performing arts venue, which also has a children’s program.

Mercury Theatre
Colchester Castle Museum

Colchester Castle Museum

4/5(1 review)

You can study the exhibits at Colchester Castle Museum, a museum with a storied past, during your holiday in Colchester. Savour the top-notch restaurants and lively bars while in town.

Colchester Castle Museum
Colchester showing modern architecture

firstsite

3/5(1 review)

As one of the U.K.’s premier modern art galleries, this is a great place to see temporary exhibitions, attend art classes and listen to expert talks.

firstsite

Explore areas of Colchester

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Dutch Quarter

Dutch Quarter is popular for its ample dining options, and you might make a stop by firstsite, a top place to visit in the area.

Dutch Quarter

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Colchester

Photo "Witham" by Glyn Baker (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original

Witham

Photo by Andrew Taylor

Maldon

Ipswich Waterfront showing a bay or harbour and a sunset

Ipswich

Photo "Dedham" by Zorba the Geek (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Zorba the Geek (CC BY-SA)

Dedham

Photo by Mike Molloy

Clacton-on-Sea

Photo "Stoke by Nayland" by David Hawgood (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by David Hawgood (CC BY-SA)

Stoke by Nayland

Photo "Earls Colne" by Glyn Baker (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original

Earls Colne

Photo by Simon Cummings

Feering

Frequently asked questions

Is Colchester worth visiting?
Offering a mix of history and mountain biking, there are many things to do in Colchester. When you're here, check out Mercury Theatre, a major attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Colchester?
Xtreme Gaming and East Anglian Railway Museum are two awesome places to begin your sightseeing adventures. Be sure to check out the shopping and dining options in Colchester while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Colchester?
Mercury Theatre is one of the top tourist attractions in Colchester and deserves a place on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Colchester?
Three days in Colchester is plenty of time to enjoy the city's major highlights. Many travellers book for two days on average. Mercury Theatre, Xtreme Gaming and Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum are highly rated sights. Want to experience more? Stick around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots like Bishop's Stortford.
What are some activities to do in Colchester with kids?
Planning what to do in Colchester with kids has never been easier. Whether you're taking a trip with toddlers or teenagers, there are many family-friendly tours and activities to keep them entertained here.
What to do in Colchester for adults?
There are plenty of things to do in Colchester, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Suffolk Distillery or Colchester Town Hall.
Are there free things to do in Colchester?
In Colchester, High Woods Country Park is a must-see spot for anyone planning to see the city without taking their wallet out. Also, wander around the local neighbourhoods and parks, and speak with a local tour guide. It's a simple way to find out about the best free things to do in Colchester.