What 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 château or palace, heritage architecture and heritage elements
Beth Chatto Garden which includes forest scenes and a garden
Colchester featuring interior views, an administrative building and heritage architecture

Colchester Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Colchester has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Colchester is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Colchester to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Colchester Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Colchester.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Colchester attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    Members save % or more when you book activities.

The Annual Vacation Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Book now

What to do in Colchester

Discover the most popular places to visit in Colchester

Colchester Zoo featuring animals and zoo animals

Colchester Zoo

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 featuring heritage architecture and château or palace

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.

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

Find out about the history of East Bergholt when you spend time at Flatford Mill. Check out the spas and lively bars in this relaxing area.

Flatford Mill
Colchester showing heritage architecture

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.

Colchester Town Hall
Layer Marney Tower showing heritage elements, a garden and château or palace

Layer Marney Tower

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
Beth Chatto Garden which includes flowers, a park and wild 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 theatre scenes and interior views

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 which includes a cemetery, heritage architecture and a castle

Colchester Arts Centre

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

Colchester Arts Centre
Colchester which includes modern architecture

firstsite

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.

firstsite

Explore areas of Colchester

firstsite showing railway items and signage

Dutch Quarter

Dutch Quarter is popular for its abundant dining options, and you can check out firstsite, a top attraction in the neighborhood.

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.

Explore a world of travel with Expedia