Eastlife Spring 2020

Essex
Colchester
A WEEKEND BREAK IN
Plan your trip to Colchester with our
top pick of things to do and places to visit.
Colchester is a historic and beautiful town with a host of attractions
ranging from its 900-year-old castle to its highly regarded zoo,
all of which make it great for a day trip; but stay a bit longer and
there’s plenty more to discover beyond its big-ticket attractions. A
short break is a perfect way to explore the very best of the town’s
under-the-radar treats and hidden treasures.
Step back in time
For the unfamiliar, start with The Castle Museum which alongside
Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum explore
the town’s famous history. All three museums are located within
two minutes’ walk of each other within the town centre and The
Castle in particular is a perfect starting point to get to grips with
Colchester’s fascinating past. Charting over 2,000 years of life in
Colchester it was built on the ruins of a Roman Temple destroyed
by Boudicca and this, alongside many other stories are brought to
life through a number of fantastic experiences, interactive exhibits,
and tours that can be found throughout the museum.
Indeed, hands-on history is what Colchester is all about, whether it
is following Britain’s oldest and longest town wall around the town
centre, walking through the impressive ruins of St Botolph’s Priory
or discovering civil war musket holes in battle-scarred walls. The
streets of Colchester offer just as much history as the objects in
glass cases within its museums.
Discover arts & culture
But Colchester certainly isn’t stuck in the past. Firstsite, the town’s
contemporary art gallery, is a curved, golden, space-age building
that regularly hosts exhibitions by world-renowned artists and
household names. Even those sceptical about the merits of
modern art can find something to enjoy within its walls – perhaps
via a trip to its in-house cinema, or by exploring the community
events and craft fairs that take place there regularly.
Meanwhile, across town the Mercury Theatre is undergoing a
multi-million pound redevelopment to bring the building up to
the same quality as the work it’s been producing for years. Don’t
despair if you’re planning on visiting before its summer re-opening
however, as tucked behind it is Colchester’s much-loved Arts
Centre with its programme of touring shows that perfectly
balances the popular with the challenging. Its programme
is always worth keeping an eye on or even taking a risk on
something unusual.
Shop ‘til you drop
Exploring the town centre wouldn’t be complete without a spot of
shopping either and Colchester doesn’t disappoint in this regard,
with well-kept shopping arcades housing the big name, High
Street stores, whilst smaller lanes and roads host independent
retailers and boutique stores. You won’t be stuck for a bite to
eat either – a great mix of eateries throughout the town offer
something for everyone.
Sweet Dreams
The beauty of a short break in Colchester allows time to explore
beyond the town centre though. Get a good night’s sleep in one of
the town’s hotels (from the budget to the luxury, there’s something
for everyone) before exploring further afield in the town’s selfstyled
“Beautiful Borough”.
Animal Adventure
Colchester Zoo is ranked just outside the top 10 zoos in the world,
and you will need a full day to fully explore its extensive ground.
It’s a fantastic family day out, keep an eye out for special offers, or
events that add value to your trip – there’s a programme of zoo
experiences that run throughout each day and are included in the
general admission cost.
Further afield
If you’d rather experience a more homegrown variety of nature,
the Dedham Vale and Constable Country are ripe for exploration
to the North of Colchester, whilst Mersea Island lies to the south.
The Dedham Vale is Essex’s only Designated Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty, whilst the saltmarshes on the mainland around
Mersea are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, providing unique
habitats for native species and migrating birds alike. Nature
reserves such as Abberton Reservoir and Fingringhoe Wick are
run by the Essex Wildlife Trust, meaning there’s no shortage of
scenic country walks around the flat Essex landscape to enjoy.
Mersea of course is also famous for its seafood and particularly
its oysters, and you’ll find a fine selection of seafood restaurants
on the west of the island, kept stocked by the local fishermen. But
the other local delicacy can be found in nearby Tiptree, where
world-famous jam manufacturers Wilkin and Son run their farm
and factory. Stop by one of the several local Tiptree Tearooms
to sample their little scarlet strawberry jam as part of a delicious
cream tea.
There’s plenty of other hidden treasure too, from the country’s
tallest Tudor gatehouse at the impressive Layer Marney Tower, to
a first-class heritage railway at the East Anglian Railway Museum,
neatly positioned beside the sizable Chappel Viaduct.
For more information about the town or to book a guided tour
please visit www.visitcolchester.com or call 01206 282920.
The Visitor Information Centre is located at Hollytrees Museum.
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