Colchester's best tourist spots as chosen by Gazette readers

Here are your top picks for the best tourist spots in Colchester.

The most popular choice was Castle Park and Colchester Castle itself.

Colchester Castle (Image: Newsquest)

Castle park spans an area of 11 hectares and is listed Grade II for its special historic importance.

The park is also full of exciting activities to show tourists, from the Castle and Hollytrees museums, the iconic play park, café and ice cream stall, as well as the crazy golf course.

Lower Castle Park is home to Colchester’s swans, as well as the cricket ground.

Colchester’s renowned arts sector was also a popular choise, from the wealth of local live music venues to the Mercury Theatre, the Arts Centre, the Curzon, Firstsite and the Minories all contributing to Colchester’s ever-expanding art scene.

Mercury Theatre, Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

Readers also highlighted the rich history of Colchester, which provides several other great tourist options.

Those who wanted to fully immersive themselves in Colchester’s history could explore some of the mentioned sites, including the Dutch Quarter, the Roman Theatre, several properties on West Stockwell Street, the old Priory and several churches dotted around the city centre.

Colchester's Roman Theatre (Image: Visit Colchester)

Several readers also highlighted the natural beauty and green areas which surround Colchester, where residents are spoilt for choice.

From walking through Highwoods Country Park to Dedham Vale, where tourists could take a row along the Colne, fully immersed in the famous Constable Country.

Just outside of Colchester, readers mentioned Tiptree Tearooms for a cream tea and a walk around the museum, as well as Layer Marney Tower.

Other honourable mentions included Colchester Zoo - the famous 60-acre zoo which is home to 180 species - Mersea beach, for some fresh seafood and oysters, Three Wise Monkeys for a drink, barbecue food and live music and Fenwick for shopping.