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 Colchester
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 Colchester,
the oldest recorded town in Britain, was originally a settlement
before the Romans came, the Romans were attacked and Colchester
destroyed by Queen Boadicea in the year AD60. Following this
setback the Romans built a wall around the town with a gateway
(the arch still survives, as does parts of the wall).
William the Conqueror
followed up with a castle in the 11th century, built over
the remains of a Roman temple. In the Civil War there was
an 11 week siege of the town in 1648, they gave up after having
to eat rats.
The town is also know
for it's Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins, and for giving
shelter to Dutch refugees in the 16th and 17th century. William
Gilberd, a trail blazer in the fields of electricity and electro-magnestism
was born here.
The remains of the
12th century St Botolph's Priory can be seen near the station.
A good
place for a family day out, with museums, park, the castle,
zoo, and other things to do as well as shopping. There are
small specialist shops as well as the well known stores in
the shopping arcades.
Mercury
Theatre, at Balkerne Gate, has seasons of plays. Tel: 01206
573948 for the box office and what's on.
A lively
town with regular events.Guided tours available in the summer.
Park and
ride available on Saturdays.
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| Location
Map of Colchester |
What
To See -
Colchester Tourist Attractions
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 Colchester
Castle Museum, touch, hear and discover the past, the
museum is in the castle which has one of the largest Norman
keeps in Europe, now a ruin the castle stands on the site of
a Roman temple. Chargeable guided tours available. Tel: 01206
282939 
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| Leisure
World, Cowdray Avenure, Colchester, CO1 1YH, pool spa
pool, flume rides, saunas, gym, fitness pool and more. Restaurant
& bar.Tel: 01206 282000
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| Hollytrees
Museum, High Street, in a Georgian house a vibrant, redeveloped
museum, ideal for families, hands on displays and exhibits show
the local history, childhood room with snakes and ladders in
the floor. Open: Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00, Sun 11:00-17:00 Tel: 01206
282940 |
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| Natural
History Museum, in an old church, opposite the park,
the natural history of this area of Essex, including the sea.
Animals, small nature reserve, shop, etc Open: Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00,
Sun 11:00 17:00 Tel: 01206 282941 |
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| Tymperleys
Clock Museum, Trinity Street, in a 15th century timber
framed house this museum holds examples of the famous Colchester
clocks, including the Bernard Mason collection, Open: Jun-Oct
Tue-Sat 10:00-13:00. 14:00-17:00 Tel: 01206 282943 |
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| Rollerworld,
Eastgates, Colchester, CO1 2TJ, roller skating rink, with bowling,
laser games, shop, cafe, etc. Tel: 01206 868868 Phone for opening
times. |
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| Colchester
Zoo , Maldon Road, Stanway, Colchester, CO3 0SL, lots
to see here and a new sea lion enclosure just opened, play areas,
shops, cafe, etc. Open: daily except Christmas Day 09:30-18:30
Jul- Aug, 09:30- 8:00 Easter-Oct & Jun & Sept, 09:30-17:00,
Oct-Mar or dusk Tel: 01206 331292 |
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Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel Station, Colchester,
CO6 1UE, working museum with engines, signal boxes.Steam days.Open:
Daily (closed Xmas Day) 10:00-17:00 Tel: 01206 242524 |
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| Bourne
Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, CO2 8RT, off B1025, National
Trust,mill previously a fishing lodge, pond, machinery. Open:
Bank Holiday Sun, Mon and Jun-Aug Sun,Tue 14:00-17:00 Closed
Xmas & New Year Tel: 01206 572422 |
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Layer
Marney Tower, off B1022. Layer
Marney Tower is one of Essex's most famous landmarks. Built
during the reign of Henry VIII fine brickwork was used for the
construction with splendid terracotta decoration.
Open: 2007:
April-30 Sept Sun-Thur 12:00-17:00 2008: 20 Mar-28 Sept
Sun-Thur 12:00-17:00: Bank Holiday Sun's & Mon's 11:00-17:00
Optional guided tour for groups. Tel: 01206 330784
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| High
Woods County Park, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5RJ,
off A1232, woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands, all in 330 acres.
Walks, visitor centre, activities. Park open all year. Tel:
01206 853588 |
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| Bourne
Mill, Bourne Road, Colchester, CO2 8RT, off B1025, National
Trust,mill previously a fishing lodge, pond, machinery. Open:
Bank Holiday Sun, Mon and Jun-Aug Sun,Tue 14:00-17:00 Closed
Xmas & New Year Tel: 01206 572422 |
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Where
To Stay in Colchester
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London Road Marks Tey Colchester CO6 1DU MAP
This modern hotel and leisure club, located to the south of Colchester, is the premier hotel in north Essex. The hotel features 110 bedrooms which have been carefully designed with your personal comfort in mind.
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Colchester Road Tolleshunt Knights, Nr. Maldon Colchester CM9 8HX MAP
Five Lakes Hotel, Golf, Country Club & Spa offers some of the finest and most extensive health, leisure and sports facilities in the area. Set in 320 acres of attractive Essex countryside, all 194 bedrooms are spacious and well equipped,some with views..
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Abbotts Lane Eight Ash Green Colchester CO6 3QL MAP
Situated on the outskirts of the ancient Roman town of Colchester, this modern hotel offers good value for money accommodation approximately 40 minutes drive from London Stansted Airport.
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71 North Station Road Colchester CO1 1RQ MAP
This historic Grade II listed building dating back to 1700 is a 10 minute walk from the town centre and train station, and offers renovated, comfortable interiors.
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116 High Street Colchester CO1 1TD MAP
A 500-year-old coaching house, steeped in history, located in the heart of Colchester, England's oldest recorded town. Please note the hotel does not have a lift or any rooms on the ground floor.
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Stoke By Nayland near Colchester CO6 4SE MAP
Boasting wonderful views across the Stour and Box river valleys, this privately owned inn is set on a hill in the picturesque village of Stoke-by-Nayland, on the Essex and Suffolk border.
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Polestead Street Stoke-By-Nayland near Colchester CO6 4SA MAP
Surrounded by tranquil, beautiful Suffolk countryside, this traditional 16th-century oak-beamed coaching house offers traditional charm, superb food, free Wi-Fi and free parking.
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Guest
Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels
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2 North Station Road Colchester CO1 1RB MAP
The Riverside Hotel is a 16th. Century Tudor Building (1604) situated on the Bank of the River Colne it is set in Englands Oldest Recorded Town of Colchester.
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Balls Farm Tye Road Elmstead Market near Colchester CO7 7BB MAP
With a beautiful, peaceful countryside location, in the grounds of a non-working farm, this beautiful lodge and suite offer luxurious accommodation, free Wi-Fi and superb breakfasts.
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A12 London Road Northbound Feering Colchester CO5 9EL MAP
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Around
The Colchester Area
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| Pop down
to Clacton for all the fun of the seaside. |
Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Nayland (5.88 miles) Dedham (6.11 miles) East Burgholt (7.74 miles) Manningtree (7.80 miles) Mistley (8.49 miles) Coggeshall (9.28 miles) Boxford (9.76 miles) Hadleigh (10.86 miles) Sudbury (12.65 miles) Clacton-on-Sea (12.74 miles) Maldon (14.62 miles) |
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Area
Telephone Code
01206 |
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Information
Centre
1 Queen
Street
Colchester
Tel: 01206 282920
Fax: 01206 282924 |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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