Colchester and the Local Area

Location, Location, Location

Colchester is a great town in which to live, work and study. It is Britain’s oldest recorded town – documented since it was the Celtic stronghold of Camulodunum. Today’s town centre lies mainly within the ancient Roman walls.

Colchester is a thriving University town with a population of around 160,000. The University of Essex, with approximately 9,000 students, is located just outside the town. Colchester Institute has approximately 10,500 students across two campuses, with over 1,000 studying higher education programmes.

The town of Colchester is a vibrant place with an exciting future: where 2000 years of history sits alongside 21st Century culture. The town has a thriving local economy, a growing population, increasing visitor numbers and a wealth of amenities to offer. It is also a place receptive to new ideas and challenges.

With four major regeneration schemes underway across the borough including the construction of firstsite, a £16.5m visual arts and cultural complex, in the town centre, and a 10,000 seater community stadium providing the home for the town’s football club, Colchester United, at Cuckoo Farm - great things are happening in Colchester.

Colchester itself is a unique blend of ancient and modern; with its Norman castle and museums, alongside excellent shopping facilities, clubs, pubs and restaurants.

Lining up to welcome you along narrow streets and bustling lanes are the temptingly distinctive specialist shops. Then around the corner you’ll find all the big names.

Colchester is surrounded by beautiful countryside with sandy beaches close by. Take a breath of exhilarating sea air at a seaside resort in the Tendring peninsula.

Choose Frinton-on-Sea, wonderful for a stroll along the promenade to Walton-on-the-Naze or action packed Clacton-on-Sea next door with its pier packed full of fun.

Within half an hour’s drive of Colchester, leisure pursuits such as walking and sailing can be enjoyed. In addition to the coastal waters, there are many reservoirs and rivers offering a range of water sports from dinghy sailing to yachting, from canoeing to water skiing.

London is just 55 miles away and takes just 50 minutes to reach by train. This gives fast access to the vibrant and historical capital city, with opportunities to visit national monuments, the West End and hundreds of attractions.