Things to Do in Colchester, Essex - Colchester Attractions
Things to Do in Colchester
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Colchester Zoo, Colchester Castle Museum, Walking Tours, Gardens. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Colchester Zoo, Colchester Castle Museum, Walking Tours, Gardens. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult$20
Ghost Toursfromper adult$27
Private Sightseeing Toursfrom$12per adult (price varies by group size)$9
Historical Toursfrom$12per adult (price varies by group size)$9
Day Tripsfromper adult$125
Half-day Toursfromper adult$113
Private Sightseeing Toursfromper adult$6
Day Tripsfromper adult$131
Historical Toursfromper adult$27- fromper adult$57
Interactive wildlife park with diverse animal habitats, including African species and sea lions. Features educational presentations and animal feeding experiences, plus membership benefits.
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Interactive museum within historic castle walls, featuring hands-on exhibits from the Roman era to the English Civil War, complemented by informative guided tours.
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Amusement & Theme Parks
Family-oriented park with interactive characters and storytelling, diverse play areas, and scenic picnic spots. Includes engaging dragon trail and castle-themed installations.
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Traditional gardens with peaceful ambience and a variety of plants. Cafe presents a selection of homemade cakes and light lunch options amidst serene surroundings.
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Parks
Tranquil urban park with historical castle, undulating landscapes, mini golf, playground, and art installations. Features a fish pond, seasonal swan boats, and spaces for picnics.
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Art Galleries
Art museum set in a serene countryside home, showcasing an array of equine paintings and sculptures. Features tranquil gardens and a cafe with homemade refreshments.
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Visitor Centers
Scenic nature reserve with diverse birdwatching opportunities, including red kites and great white egrets. Features family-friendly paths, a play area, and a café with reservoir views.
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Gardens
Tranquil estate featuring maintained gardens, a walled garden with picnic areas, a children's activity trail, and a scenic lake for fish feeding. Hosts art exhibitions and outdoor games.
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Tranquil park with scenic beach walks, historical WWII trails, and interactive play areas for children. Enjoy peaceful picnics and explore colorful beach huts in a beautiful coastal setting.
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Other Top Attractions around Colchester
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travelers are saying
- Michael S1 contributionWhat can I say.. If you are or have a family/friend who loves animals then this experience is for you. This VIP EXPERIENCE was arranged for my sister’s 70th birthday and it didn’t disappoint. The whole day from start to finish was brilliant from arrival when we were given a separate room where during the day food and drink was served to us by the lovely catering staff members. Hopefully you will be as lucky as us to be guided around the zoo by the lovely Lisa whose knowledge, experience but moreover her love for all the animals seemed limitless. We sat with meerkats , lemurs, aardvarks, we got to feed penguins, seals, giraffes monkeys even a tiger and many more besides. My sister’s passion is the Elephant so the climax for her was when we got to spend some time alone with them . You get to meet some of the keepers who look after individual animals and the care and affection and knowledge seems limitless. The happy tears that were on my sister’s face after seeing the elephants will stay with me forever. So thank you Colchester Zoo and especially the lovely Lisa for making her day so special. We cannot recommend this Experience highly enough. Mick Saddington.Written March 17, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Alan TBury St. Edmunds, UK24 contributionsThere are many excellent exhibits, very professionally done and with some really interesting artifacts. However, I was disappointed that there wasn't more on Boudicca and the Iceni (and other tribes) - OK, they get a few mentions in displays on the upper floor, but not a really good separate displayWritten November 3, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mary Orlow M1 contributionLovely woodland gardens full of beautiful spring flowers. We were made very welcome and enjoyed our visit, even bought plants in their shop.Written March 17, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ESLondon, UK3 contributionsThe biggest selling point for me is the staff. So friendly, every staff member we passed made an effort with the little one.Written March 16, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Susan G3 contributionsWe visited the tearoom this morning. Coffee and food were very good but I do find a charge of £16.30 for two flat white coffees - one cheese scone and one sausage roll rather excessive.Written February 18, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AnselmColomGrays Thurrock, UK3,305 contributionsA lovely park with history and beautifully laid out with plenty of area to walk as well as observe. Used as an open air music venue as well. For this visit there is a Octberfest Veer festival currently on. Castle is at the top. Plenty of parking. Play areas. Historical points of interest. Must visit if in Colchester.Written October 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rich H14 contributionsIf you are looking for an art museum this is it fantastic collection.. the garden cafe/ tea rooms are definitely a place to visit lovey service and great food.Written September 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Owen HerdColchester, UK59 contributionsThis beach is like your generic british beach. But in certain places, it is unbelievably stoney. The beach huts look very nice, and you can occasionally watch the locals use their boats and other aquatic sports, as there is a big sailing scene down there. Like the mersea regatta. Overall nice. also the cliffs are cool.Written November 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Esra JEssex, UK11 contributionsAbsolutely love this venue. We have seen many events here and never disappointed. Staff always very helpful and attentive. The prices for the drinks are always reasonably priced compared to London prices. Sounds quality has always been excellent and they have fantastic/super hygienic toilets.
Highly recommended.Written January 12, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - elisaandGaryNorwich, UK29 contributionsLovely reserve with a huge reservoir and great short walks to the bird hides, very suitable for young and old alike.
The shop was well stocked with plenty of interesting things to look at and purchase for the prices you expect.
Good enough range in the cafe for lots of picky people. Service was good.
Only 1 complaint was the play area was largely inaccessible. 3/4 of the equipment said not to use it and it needed strimming. The children complained that it was the worst playground ever.
Still a great way to spend a rainy day. We were there about 2 hours.Written May 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - John ABrentwood, UK469 contributionsWe really enjoyed walking around the site looking at the trees and enjoying the autumn colours. The fact the trees and many of the plants were labelled was a definite plus.
The children all seemed to be enjoying the pumpkin hunt and it was great to see them enjoying nature.
We did the blue walk outside the arboretum area and were a bit disappointed because it was not really the woodland walk we expected and the signage was very poor.
Lunch on the cafe was very nice but the service was very slow. I know they have only just opened and heard that they had several staff off sick, but perhaps a simpler menu for half term more children friendly would have been a good idea.
All in all, a very pleasant visit.
Oh - one last thing, why do they expect you to pay more so they can claim gift aid? They are getting 25% back?Written October 30, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - nicolal1202316 contributionsLovely children's play area ,plenty of seats/benches to rest if required.great views of the estuary and across the water to Brightlingsea, flat terrain,perfect for dog walkers .interesting WWll gun tower for history buffs.Written September 11, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information.
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