Colchester has been named among Britain’s most beautiful Roman towns and cities, being placed at number four in a national ranking.
The recognition comes from travel site Love Exploring, which highlighted Colchester’s extraordinary Roman heritage and its status as Britain’s first Roman city.
Colchester in Essex is just a 40 minute train ride out of London, and boasts of an exceptional history.
Under its Roman name Camulodunum, Colchester was granted colonia status in AD 49, becoming the earliest recorded capital in Roman Britain. The city quickly became a model of Roman culture and power across the province, a reputation that is still reflected in the historic sites that remain today.
One of the key landmarks cited in the feature is the Temple of Claudius, which once stood as a grand symbol of imperial power. Although much of the temple has been lost to time, its legacy survives within the foundations of Colchester Castle, built in the 11th century.
The article also acknowledges the city’s dramatic history, including the Boudiccan revolt of AD 60, when Camulodunum was ravaged during the uprising led by the Celtic queen Boudicca. Despite this turbulent past, the city’s Roman legacy remains visible in several iconic sites.
Among these is the Roman circus, the ruins of which mark one of the oldest known racecourses in Britain, and Balkerne Gate, which the site describes as Britain’s largest surviving Roman gateway.
Colchester’s inclusion on the list is a reminder of the city's deep historical significance and enduring architectural legacy, which continues to attract visitors from across the country and beyond.
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