At Visit Colchester you can find out what to see and do here, where to stay, and get suggestions for tourist itineraries.

For county-wide attractions, see Visit Essex

Arts and culture

You'll find a vibrant programme of film, music, theatre and contemporary visual art at the University of Essex’s Art Exchange at Wivenhoe campus.

Colchester's highly respected Mercury Theatre is home to the critically acclaimed Mercury Theatre Company. It stages a broad mix of classics and new writing, and works extensively in the local community. The Mercury’s Digby Gallery exhibits work by professional artists living and/or working in the region.

Colchester Arts Centre hosts rock and folk gigs, club nights, comedy, world music, jazz, drama, kids theatre and workshops.

Exhibitions, gigs, workshops and more at Slack Space in Colchester town centre.

firstsite’s historic former home The Minories is now a professional contemporary art gallery run by Colchester Institute’s School of Art, Design and Media, and dedicated to Postgraduate programmes, including the Artist Teacher Scheme MA run in collaboration with firstsite.

Artists' studios

Cuckoo Farm Studios offers affordable workspaces in a creative setting to many local artists, including metalworkers, painters, ceramicists and textile artists.

Just yards from the firstsite building is our own creative membership hub at 15 Queen Street, which offers affordable workspace for rent to creative professionals, community groups, and not-for-profit organisations.

Heritage attractions

Find out all about Colchester’s museums, including Castle Museum in beautiful Castle Park, Hollytrees, and the Natural History Museum, and discover Colchester’s Roman history.

Colchester architectural treasures St Botolph's Priory ruins and nearby St John's Abbey Gate are owned and managed by English Heritage. Local National Trust properties include Bourne Mill in Colchester, and Paycocke's and the Grange Barn in nearby Coggeshall. 

Further afield

Explore Dedham Vale and Constable Country, including Bridge Cottage at Flatford and and the Sir Alfred Munnings Art Museum in Dedham. Don't miss Dedham Art & Craft Centre.

Well worth a visit are North House Gallery in Manningtree and Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury and Hayletts Gallery in Maldon.