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Things to do in Colchester

There are 190 things to do recorded in and around Colchester, with options spanning country parks & forests, playgrounds and gardens. Part of Essex in Eastern, it makes an easy base for a day out, with everything below grouped by the kind of outing you are after.

Of these, 77 are free to visit, 20 are indoor options for a wet day, 85 are outdoors and 26 are geared towards younger children. The category pages and filters below help narrow things to the right sort of outing.

Better-known places near Colchester include Colchester Zoo, Wyvernwood, Colchester Castle, Layer Marney Tower and Castle Mound, each with its own page showing location and nearby alternatives.

Happy to travel a little further? Harlow is close by with more to see.

What’s on offer in Colchester

  1. 01
    Country Parks & Forests
    Woodland trails and open countryside — including Wivenhoe Park and High Woods Country Park.
    43 places
  2. 02
    Playgrounds
    Outdoor play areas and swings — including Westlands Country Park Childrens Play Area and Zip Wire.
    18 places
  3. 03
    Gardens
    Planted grounds and glasshouses — including Sensory Garden and Victorian Shrub Garden.
    14 places
  4. 04
    Museums
    Galleries and exhibitions — including Restoration Shed and Natural History Museum.
    8 places
  5. 05
    Art Galleries
    Changing art exhibitions — including Colchester Gallery and Original Art Shop.
    6 places
  6. 06
    Driving Ranges
    Practice bays and lessons — including Colchester Golf Club and Play Golf Colchester (Lexden Wood Golf Course).
    4 places

Browse categories

Activities190Days Out with Kids26Indoor Things to Do20

Good to know

How many things are there to do in Colchester?

This guide maps 190 places to visit in and around Colchester. Browse the categories on this page to narrow them down by the kind of day out you want.

What are the best-known attractions in Colchester?

Recognisable names near Colchester include Colchester Zoo, Wyvernwood, Colchester Castle and Layer Marney Tower. Each has its own page with location, attributes and nearby alternatives.

Where can I find free things to do in Colchester?

77 of the places listed for Colchester are free to enter, among them parks, beaches and nature spots. The "Free things to do" view gathers them together.

What is there to do in Colchester on a rainy day?

20 indoor options are recorded near Colchester — soft play, museums, bowling and the like — so a wet day need not stop a visit. The "Indoor" view lists them.

Is the information on Colchester kept up to date?

Listings are drawn from open mapping data and refreshed as places are added or change. Opening hours and prices are best confirmed with each venue before visiting.