Colchester essentials

As Britain’s oldest recorded town and former Roman capital, Colchester showcases two millennia of history. The Roman heritage is headlined by Balkerne Gate, the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain, while the Norman era is represented by the massive Colchester Castle and the ruins of St. Botolph’s Priory. Medieval architecture survives at St. John's Abbey Gatehouse and St. Martin’s Church. Complementing these ancient sites are contemporary cultural hubs like the Firstsite visual arts center and the social history collections at Hollytrees Museum.