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Colchester, Essex, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colchester_town_center.jpgAuthor: Bierdimpfl
Colchester is a historic town in northeastern Essex, England. With a population of around 105,000 people, it is the main settlement in the Borough of Colchester. It is also one of the fastest growing towns in Britain.
Colchester claims the distinction of being the oldest recorded town in Britain, based on it having been mentioned by Pliny the Elder, who died in AD 79. The town was established by the Celts and was the base for the Celtic king Cunobeline.
After the Romans invaded Britain, they built a fortress here, calling the settlement Camulodunum. It served as a provincial capital of Britain until AD 61, when it was attacked and destroyed in a rebellion headed by Boudica, the queen of the British Iceni tribe. According to English historian Dr John Morris, the name Camelot from the legend of King Arthur was probably derived from Camulodunum, the capital of Britannia during Roman times.
Colchester Castle: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colchester_castle.jpgAuthor: M. Barker
Due to a lack of early Anglo-Saxon artifacts in a triangle between London, Colchester and St Albans, some archaeologists proposed the possibility that the early British self-ruled the area after the Romans pulled out, and even after the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons elsewhere in Britain. However recent excavations have uncovered some signs of early Saxon occupation, including a hut from the fifth century AD.
Based on its wealth of history, Colchester is presently seeking World Heritage Site listing, along with archaeological sites of Camulodunum and Colonia Victricensis. It has been shortlisted for consideration by UNESCO. The town is also among the twenty-five applying for city status in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II in 2012.
Visiting Colchester
Take the A12 road from London, past Chelmsford, to reach Colchester.
St Botolph's Priory, Colchester: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:StBotolph%27sPriory_Colchester.JPGAuthor: JohnArmagh
Places of Interest in Colchester
Churches- All Saints Church, High Street: Historic church declared redundant in 1953, now used as a natural history museum.
- All Saints Church, Shrub End: Red brick parish church built in the Decorated style dating from 1845.
- Butt Road Roman Church: Excavations believed to be an early Christian church dating to between AD320 and AD340.
- Colchester Baptist Church: Built in 1834 on the site of the first purpose-built Baptist chapel from 1711.
- Holy Trinity Church: Church with the oldest surviving church building in Colchester, as parts date from around 1020, when the area was still under Anglo-Saxon rule.
- St Botolph's Church: Church dating to 1837, built in the old Norman style.
- St Botolph's Priory: The first English Augustinian priory church, founded in the 11th century.
- St Giles, St John's Green: Originally part of St John's Abbey cemetery, this church was declared redundant in 1956, used as a St John Ambulance depot until 1975, and now converted into a masonic center.
- St Helen's Chapel: Chapel founded by St Helen herself, and refounded by Eudo Dapifer in 1076.
- St James the Great: Anglican church with its oldest surviving parts dating to the 12th century.
- St John's Abbey, Colchester: Benedictine monastery founded by Eudo, son of Hubert de Ria, seneschal of King William II, in 1096.
- St Martin's: Norman church today under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust and used as a community venue.
- St Mary-at-the-Walls: Church built against the Roman Walls overlooking the western neighborhoods of Colchester. Built in 1206, it was where 26 Protestants martyrs were executed by burning during the reign of Mary I.
- St Peter's: Church built in 1758 with a bell tower from that period.
- The Garrison Church: Church built in 1855 for use by soldiers going to the Crimean War, this timber church is today a Grade II listed building.
Remains of a Roman Wall in Colchester: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South-east_corner_of_Colchester%27s_Roman_wall_-_geograph.org.uk_-_545333.jpgAuthor: Zorba the Geek
Other Sights
- Colchester Castle: A well-preserved Norman castle, today a Grade I listed building. It has the largest ever built keep in Britain, and the largest surviving keep in Europe.
- Colchester Zoo: A large zoo supported by the charitable organization, Action for the Wild.
- Hollytrees Museum: Housed in the former home of Charles Gray, this is a social history museum with children's exhibits.
- Jumbo Water Tower: Red brick water tower in Colchester.
- Natural History Museum: Museum occupying the now redundant building of the High Street All Saints Church.
- Tymperley's Clock Museum: Museum with a display of antique clocks. It occupies a 15th century timber-framed house in the town center.
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