Title: firstsite in Dutch Quarter - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca

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# firstsite Tours and Activities

![firstsite](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/56cbcc46-efac-4a4e-924d-c858911dd305.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![firstsite](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/744edee3-689d-4b1b-b210-f35fa7b713c1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![firstsite](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/c1e9549b-9885-4274-8899-c45f4d0f415c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![firstsite](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/752bc92c-55e6-4f90-8eb6-0d84b2bce687.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

![firstsite](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621533025669/be63aa92-a2ce-43df-b435-7ae3a63218e5.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh)

## Visit firstsite

Activities

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#### As one of the U.K.’s premier modern art galleries, this is a great place to see temporary exhibitions, attend art classes and listen to expert talks.

Visit Firstsite in Colchester’s cultural center to admire some of the newest, most cutting-edge artwork in the U.K. Take in the striking design of the modern building and learn about the artworks by taking a tour. Attend a class or a workshop or sit in the large auditorium to view one of the regular screenings. If you are looking for a night out with a difference, eat at Firstsite’s popular restaurant.

Firstsite opened in 2011 and is already recognized as one of the most progressive galleries in the country with its regularly changing displays of a range of different artistic mediums. The building, with its sloping, gilded roofs and wide glass front, was designed by the celebrated architect Rafael Viñoly and has become an icon in Colchester’s cultural center.

Don’t miss Firstsite’s only permanent exhibition, the Berryfield Mosaic, with its intricate, geometric patterns. It dates back to Roman times and was discovered by a local gardener and then handed over to the museum. Except for the mosaic, all the exhibitions you will see are temporary. Themes may range from anything from international, contemporary painters to works in other mediums such as film or sculpture.

Visit the 190-seater auditorium to catch one of the regular screenings, which include documentaries and classic films. This is also the venue for the debates and talks that the gallery puts on. You can also learn a new skill at a class or take your child to one of the parent-and-toddler days.

If you get hungry pay a visit to café MUSA, which serves light meals on a daily basis. From Thursday to Saturday the café also becomes a restaurant in the evenings. Book yourself a table to enjoy a meal among the artwork. 

Firstsite is located in Colchester’s cultural center, within easy walking distance of the Colchester Castle. Firstsite is closed on Mondays except for bank holidays and school vacations and is free to enter. Check with the gallery’s reception to find out when guided tours are held.

## Plan a trip to see firstsite

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.

![Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1230000/1220900/1220839/d4d78939_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### Holiday Inn Express London Stansted Airport by IHG

CA $1,170

per person

May 19 - May 25

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip non-stop flight included

Montreal (YMQ) to London (STN)

8.6/10 Excellent! (1,232 reviews)

Excellent, clean, easy parking, rest transportation to airport

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2026

![Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/4000000/3610000/3605500/3605411/0eb3f182_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG

CA $1,521

per person

May 19 - May 26

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip flight included

Halifax (YHZ) to London (STN)

8.4/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)

We spent 3 days at the hotel,l was so impressed with friendly staff nothing was to much trouble. Rooms were clean and bright a nicely decorated. The complimentary breakfast was excellent so much choice. We had 2 evenings meal at the inn and wasn’t disappointed with any of them. I would recommend this holiday inn express as lm not easily pleased and l certainly was there.5\*

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2026

![Holiday Inn Express Braintree by IHG](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/2000000/1800000/1791600/1791545/2695c6e3_y.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

### Holiday Inn Express Braintree by IHG

CA $1,221

per person

May 10 - May 16

found 1 day ago

Roundtrip flight included

Toronto (YYZ) to London (STN)

8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)

Have stayed here a few times now, friendly welcome, comfy room Considering how close you are to busy roads very quiet Good breakfast

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2026

### Popular places to visit

![Colchester Castle Park](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081369/3f05290e-0695-4d30-904c-e834cfee7b1b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Colchester Castle Park

4.5/5(3 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.

[](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Castle-Park-Colchester.d6081369.Vacation-Attraction)

![Colchester Town Hall](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340810372/d960ada5-5cce-441d-9b18-b6ff7367e95b.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Colchester Town Hall

4/5(3 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.

[](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Town-Hall-Colchester.d553248634340810372.Vacation-Attraction)

![Colchester Natural History Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081371/ac1edbce-c40e-4aba-8ba8-456755dd905a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Colchester Natural History Museum

Learn about the mammoths, hippos and crocodiles that used to live in the Colchester area and examine a wealth of natural specimens at this excellent, free museum.

[](https://expedia.ca/Colchester-Natural-History-Museum-Colchester.d6081371.Vacation-Attraction)

![Hollytrees Museum](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6081391/d07f7bf2-b4c9-4937-ade4-4869bbc63ed7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### 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.

[](https://expedia.ca/Hollytrees-Museum-Colchester.d6081391.Vacation-Attraction)

![The Minories Galleries](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621555971833/34bcba84-1b51-428d-859c-cf57ebfa9b62.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### The Minories Galleries

See artists at work, browse exhibitions of local and national artists and take in the Georgian architecture of this popular art gallery.

[](https://expedia.ca/The-Minories-Galleries-Colchester.d553248621555971833.Vacation-Attraction)

![Jumbo Water Tower](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248634340806337/e92a0c05-08c1-418d-80ef-a60a41718689.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh)

#### Jumbo Water Tower

Take pictures of this Victorian structure and admire the 19th-century engineering on what was once the second-largest water tower in the country.

[](https://expedia.ca/Jumbo-Water-Tower-Colchester.d553248634340806337.Vacation-Attraction)

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## Best Lodging Options Near firstsite

## Check availability on hotels close to firstsite

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The George of Colchester

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GreyFriars

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The North Hill Hotel, Colchester

51 NORTH HILL Colchester England

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Brook Red Lion Hotel

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Premier Inn Colchester Town Centre

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Colchester Boutique Hotel

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Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel

East Street Colchester England

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Ryegate House Colchester

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[See all 689 properties in firstsite](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package&regionId=553248621533025669)

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.