Colchester Day Trip

Colchester, once the capital of Britain in Roman times and granted city status in 2022, offered us plenty of interesting, varied and historical features to explore. Arriving in good time allowed us to enjoy a relaxed wander around the city and its surroundings. Colchester Zoo was only around 20 minutes away by bus, making it an easy option for anyone to visit before returning to the city centre. 

Back in the city, we found the Castle Museum set within lovely, extensive grounds, with pleasant walks and the River Colne running behind it. A discount code provided by our driver could be used at the entrance desk, which was a welcome surprise. The museum was light and airy, with a modern layout and two lifts, including an impressive all-glass tube lift. This made it easy for us to see everything the museum had to offer. Helpful attendants were on hand to answer questions, and there was plenty to see across the two floors, with numerous exhibits displayed alongside informative descriptions. 

The castle grounds also provided a lovely, tranquil setting for lunch, with colourful rose beds surrounding the castle and plenty of seating throughout the park. After exploring the grounds, we headed into the city centre, where we found a good selection of independent gift shops and restaurants. The wonderful Tudor buildings were also well worth seeing. 

Just off the High Street, close to the drop-off point, we visited the Dutch Quarter, where many Flemish weavers settled after fleeing unrest in Europe. There were many colourful buildings to admire in this area as well. 

All in all, we found Colchester to be a wonderful day out, although another visit would certainly be worthwhile, as there is simply too much to see properly in a single trip.