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

Colchester Tourist Attractions & Activities

If you’re searching for an exciting holiday, count on Expedia.com.au to help you find interesting attractions, enlightening experiences, and tons of other fun things to do in Colchester AU$13. From first-rate tours to incredible deals on sightseeing trips – our extensive selection of local things to do and places to visit is just a few clicks away.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling alone, alongside your main squeeze, or with your favourite friends or family members, Expedia has the inside scoop on what to see and do while in this corner of the world. And our search tool makes it simple to score the best deals around. So regardless of if you are on a tight budget or prefer to spare no expense, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for by browsing over 5 activities in Colchester, England.

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Top places to visit

1. Colchester Zoo

Spend a day out with the family at Colchester Zoo. Walk an underwater tunnel with windows looking into the enclosure of some playful Patagonian sea lions and then watch lemurs jumping on the Madagascar Road train. Daily feeding sessions and falconry displays are sure to delight as you explore this diverse zoo.
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Colchester Zoo featuring marine life and zoo animals as well as an individual child

2. Colchester Castle Park

Spend a peaceful afternoon enjoying a picnic on the expansive lawns of Colchester Castle Park. As the sun warms the park's green open spaces, capture views of the River Colne and the imposing silhouette of Colchester Castle. This landmark's name was the inspiration for the park's. Feel the historic significance of this site, preserved by an ancient Roman wall that divides the Upper and Lower areas. Take a stroll through Victorian gardens, let the kids play ball games or attend one of many special events held here throughout the year.
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Colchester Castle Park showing heritage architecture and château or palace

3. 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

4. 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

5. Layer Marney Tower

The Layer Marney Tower is a spectacular sight, rising out of the green pastures of the Essex countryside. Climb this 500-year-old structure and capture commanding views of the River Blackwater. Browse historical artefacts inside or stroll the outer gardens on a sunny day. Follow the Wildlife Walk and spot cattle grazing. A quaint tea room is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon, looking over the Blackwater Estuary with a hot brew.
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Layer Marney Tower which includes château or palace, heritage elements and heritage architecture

6. Beth Chatto Garden

The Beth Chatto Gardens' beauty can be attributed to years of dedication and attention to detail from its landscapers. Step into a wondrous world of contrasting scenes, where groomed Gravel Gardens are offset by lush ponds. Relish the rich colours of the Woodland Garden and watch delicate flowers swaying in the Scree garden. Pick up a souvenir from the nursery or refresh with a hot beverage in the tearoom.
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Beth Chatto Garden featuring a garden, forests and a pond

What to do in Colchester

Discover the most popular places to visit in Colchester

Colchester Zoo featuring animals and zoo animals

Colchester Zoo

Explore one of Britain's best zoos, where you'll see elephants being fed, Komodo dragons sunning themselves and sea lions showing off their underwater speed.

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

Colchester Castle Park

4.5/5(2 reviews)

Bring family or friends to this picturesque parkland, where play areas, lakes and a musical bandstand sit in the shadow of the impressive Colchester Castle.

Colchester Castle Park
Flatford Mill

Flatford Mill

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
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 lively bars and top-notch restaurants while in town.

Colchester Castle Museum
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
Layer Marney Tower which includes château or palace, heritage elements and heritage architecture

Layer Marney Tower

4/5(1 review)

Admire this tower built during the Tudor period and then climb its stairs for spectacular views.

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

Beth Chatto Garden

5/5(1 review)

Discover the beautiful results of careful pruning, delicate care and botanical nous in these gardens, whose flower displays prove natural beauty can flourish anywhere.

Beth Chatto Garden
Colchester featuring 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

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

Sudbury

Sudbury

Ipswich Waterfront showing a bay or harbour and a sunset

Ipswich

Photo by Mike Molloy

Clacton-on-Sea

Photo "Capel St. Mary" by Oxymoron (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Oxymoron (CC BY-SA)

Capel St. Mary

Photo by Simon Cummings

Feering

Photo "Tolleshunt Knights" by Andrew Hill (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Andrew Hill (CC BY-SA)

Tolleshunt Knights

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

Rowhedge

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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