Heritage, Culture and the Arts

William the Conqueror's impressive 11th Century castle sits at the heart of Colchester, within the Victorian Castle Park. Discover the town's distinguished heritage by visiting the award-winning Castle Museum. Over a dozen museums and galleries provide you with the opportunity to visit special shows and exhibitions throughout the year.

The countryside surrounding the Essex-Suffolk border is very attractive and inspired many well known artists. As well as being the inspiration for famous English artists like 19th Century landscape painter John Constable, 18th Century artist Thomas Gainsborough and 20th century equestrian artist Sir Alfred Munnings, the Colchester area offers cutting-edge contemporary art galleries and art cafés for you to enjoy and buy locally made art and craft.

If you like art, you won't have to look far to see it. Be sure to visit firstsite: newsite, the brand new visual arts facility in the town.

Outside Colchester, art and craft can be found in several locations such as the Dedham Art and Craft Centre, Chappel Galleries and Mistley Quay Workshops (with tranquil lunches and estuary views). In truth, there is always something art related on and quite often it's not even in a gallery. More recent additions to the local hall of fame include Dermot O'Leary and Damon Albarn.

Colchester is an ambitious town that aims to be the prestige town in the east of England. There is a wide variety of businesses, providing a vibrant and growing economy. Colchester Institute liaises with business and commerce