Things to do in Colchester

Activities, attractions and tours

Colchester featuring markets and signage as well as a large group of people
Colchester featuring markets and signage as well as a large group of people
Layer Marney Tower which includes heritage elements, château or palace and heritage architecture
Beth Chatto Garden showing a park and forests
Colchester which includes heritage architecture, heritage elements and an administrative building
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What to do in Colchester

Popular places to visit

Colchester Zoo which includes animals and zoo animals

Colchester Zoo

4.5/5(34 reviews)

Feed elephants and giraffes, watch a falconry display and meet the fearsome Komodo dragons at one of the U.K.’s best zoos.

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

Colchester Castle Park

4.5/5(64 reviews)

Ride a pedalo on the boating lake, enjoy a game of mini golf or simply spend an afternoon relaxing in Colchester’s most popular public park.

Colchester Castle Park
Willy Lott's Cottage outside in flatford mill in constable country old and famous location building from a painting on a summer afternoon with no people very beautiful

Flatford Mill

4/5(1 review)

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

Flatford Mill
Layer Marney Tower showing a park, heritage elements and a castle

Layer Marney Tower

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Spend an afternoon at the tallest Tudor gatehouse in England to find a knot garden, a farm, a Wildlife Walk and five centuries’ worth of history.

Layer Marney Tower
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 featuring heritage architecture

Colchester Town Hall

4/5(10 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
Beth Chatto Garden showing a park, wild flowers and flowers

Beth Chatto Garden

Learn which plants can thrive in a range of habitats in these stunning gardens designed by master gardener Beth Chatto.

Beth Chatto Garden
Colchester showing heritage architecture, a castle and a cemetery

Colchester Arts Centre

Come and see an event at Colchester’s most diverse entertainment venue, housed in a 13th-century church.

Colchester Arts Centre
Hollytrees Museum showing a park

Hollytrees Museum

Explore 300 years of history in this Georgian house full of antique toys and decorative arts and dress up in a costume of Victorian times.

Hollytrees Museum

Areas of Colchester

firstsite showing railway items and signage

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.

 

 

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.

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