Colchester
Built-up area in Colchester, Essex, England
| Coordinates: | 51.893, 0.887 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | TL 98 25 |
| Population: | 121,859 |
| Dialling code: | 01206 |
Colchester in Essex, England is often billed as Britain’s oldest recorded town, founded as the Roman capital Camulodunum; you can still see Roman walls and the impressive Colchester Castle, a Norman keep built on the foundations of a Roman temple. The town sits on the River Colne close to the east coast, with nearby green spaces like Wivenhoe Park, coastal spots such as Mersea Island and a characterful 17th‑century Dutch Quarter.
Today Colchester is a regional centre with a mix of retail, light industry and public services, plus good rail links to London, and the University of Essex brings a lively student presence. Cultural life is strong - from contemporary art at Firstsite and performances at the Mercury Theatre to family days out at Colchester Zoo - and local food and festivals still celebrate the town’s maritime and agricultural roots (Mersea oysters are a local speciality).
Postcode districts covering Colchester
Most populated places nearby
- Southend-on-Sea 24.6 miles39.6 km
- Ipswich 16.3 miles26.3 km
- Chelmsford 20.5 miles33 km
- Braintree 14.2 miles22.9 km
- Clacton-on-Sea 13 miles20.9 km
- Rayleigh 24 miles38.6 km
- Felixstowe 19.8 miles31.9 km
- Haverhill 23.4 miles37.6 km
- Witham 12.3 miles19.9 km
- Sudbury 11.7 miles18.9 km
- Maldon 13.7 miles22.1 km
- Stowmarket 20.8 miles33.4 km
Neighbouring places
- Castle Ward 0.6 miles0.9 km
- New Town and Christ Church Ward 0.8 miles1.3 km
- Prettygate Ward 1.4 miles2.3 km
- Mile End Ward 1.5 miles2.4 km
- Myland Parish 1.5 miles2.5 km
- Shrub End Ward 1.8 miles2.9 km
- West Bergholt Built-up area 2 miles3.2 km
- Highwoods Ward 2 miles3.2 km
- Greenstead Ward 2.1 miles3.3 km
- St. Anne's and St. John's Ward 2.1 miles3.3 km
- Berechurch Built-up area 2.3 miles3.7 km
- Rural North Ward 2.3 miles3.8 km
Example postcodes in Colchester
CO1 2PY, CO2 7JP, CO3 8AW, CO3 4SG, CO4 3GE, CO1 1AP, CO3 3UD, CO1 1HN, CO1 2RE … See all
Transport links
- London Southend Airport 23.7 miles38.1 km
- Stansted Airport 27.8 miles44.8 km
- Colchester Railway Station 0.6 miles1 km
- Colchester Town Railway Station 0.8 miles1.4 km
- Colchester Bus Station 0.7 miles1.1 km
Hotels in Colchester Ad
- Greyfriars 4
- Wivenhoe House Hotel 4
- Holiday Inn Colchester 4
- The George Hotel 4
- Colchester Boutique Hotel
- Best Western the Rose & Crown Hotel 3
- North Hill Hotel 4
- Dragonfly Hotel Colchester 3
- St Nicholas Hotel
- Star Anglia Hotel 4
Schools in Colchester
- Braiswick Primary School Primary
- Brinkley Grove Primary School Primary
- Camulos Academy Primary
- Colchester Academy Secondary
- Colchester County High School for Girls Secondary
- Colchester Institute Further education
- Colchester Prep & High School Independent - all ages
- Friars Grove Primary School Primary
- Gosbecks Primary School Primary
- Hamilton Primary School Primary
- Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery Primary
- Hazelmere Junior School Primary
- Highwoods Community Primary School Primary
- Holmwood House School Independent - all ages
- Home Farm Primary School Primary
- Kendall C of E Primary School Primary
- King's Ford Infant School and Nursery Primary
- Kings Ford Academy Primary
- Kingswode Hoe School Special
- … See all
Local points of interest
- Roman Circus visitor centre Museum 0.7 miles1.1 km
- Colchester Community Stadium Stadium 2.2 miles3.5 km
- University of Essex University 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Berechurch Hall Estate 3 miles4.8 km
- East Anglian Railway Museum Museum 5.9 miles9.6 km
- West Mersea Beach Beach 8.4 miles13.6 km
- Coggeshall Abbey Historic site 8.5 miles13.6 km
- Marks Hall Estate 8.7 miles14 km
- Saint Peters Chapel Archaeological site 12.3 miles19.8 km
- Cressing Road Stadium 13.5 miles21.7 km
- Dines Hall Country house 15.2 miles24.4 km
- Portman Road Stadium 15.7 miles25.3 km