Colchester

200 Towns & Cities

Colchester  is a historical town and the largest settlement within the Colchester (borough) in Essex, England.
 
The population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the oldest recorded Roman town in Britain, Colchester claims to be the oldest town in Britain. It was for a time the capital of Roman Britain and also claims to have the United Kingdom's oldest recorded market town.
 
Colchester is northeast of London. It is connected to the capital by the A12 road (Great Britain) and the Great Eastern Main Line.  It is seen as a popular town for commuters, and is less than 30 miles away from Stansted Airport.
 
Colchester is home to the University of Essex, Colchester Zoo, Colchester Castle and Colchester United Football Club. It has a Liberal Democrats Member of Parliament.
 

Why visit?

  • Colchester is home to a variety of shops, from independent boutiques to high street chains. The town also has a number of markets, including the Colchester Farmers' Market and the Colchester Craft Market.
  • Colchester is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling, and horse riding. The town is also home to a number of nature reserves, including the Colne Estuary Country Park and the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
  • Colchester is the oldest recorded town in Britain, with a rich history dating back to the Roman era. The town centre is full of historic sites, including the Norman Castle, the Roman Wall, and the Colchester Zoo.