Colchester
Oysters Romans and Constable
Colchester has a massive Castle and ancient walls, however it has another claim to fame in that; it is the oldest recorded city in Britain.
Standing on the River Colne a settlement was noted here as early as the fifth century BC, Cunobelin King of the Catuvellauni made this his capital. 40 years later the Romans arrived and made it their capital naming it, Camulodunum.Unfortunately, it was caught up in Boadicea’s Iceni rebellion and was burnt to the ground.
The town continued to be a major centre and the Normans built a huge Castle here, the keep of the Castle is the largest in England bigger than the Tower of London. Inside there is an excellent Museum of Roman and mediaeval artefacts.
Though the town has been somewhat industrialised this is largely confined to the outskirts, in the centre of Colchester there is lots to see. Visit the Dutch quarter in Stockwell Street where you can see the best of the city’s half-timbered houses, which are clustered together in an enclave, dating from Tudor times when 500 Flemish weavers fled persecution in Holland and settled here.
Unfortunately, for Colchester the Civil War inflicted some serious damage to the town during its 11-week siege.
The holly trees Museum with displays spanning 300 years of domestic life is housed in a beautiful house dating from 1719. There is also Tymperlys clock Museum in a house that once belonged to Queen Elisabeth 1 physician William Gilberd, all the clocks were made in Colchester.
Layer Marney tower this amazing Tudor gatehouse is the tallest in Britain the two six sided eight story turrets are 24 m tall. These buildings were intended to be part of a much larger complex but it was never completed.
For the gardener there is The Beth Chatto gardens, which were, began in 1960 by the gardening writer Beth Chatto as an experiment to prove that it was Possible to create a garden in any conditions.
Colchester also has a new attraction in its First site which is an art centre housed in a stunning curved glass and copper building. Inside the light and open space, make this Museum joy to walk through.
The local area is great to explore its landscape was made famous by John Constable; some of the famous locations of Constable’s work can still be seen such as at Dedham. Wander the banks of the River Stour where you can still see Willy lots cottage and flatford mill, this place has changed little since he painted the Hay Wain. Colchester is also famous for its oysters it hosts an Oyster festival every year in October.
Activities in Colchester
Arts Centre
Firstsite - Contemporary Visual Arts Centre
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