Colchester is located in the eastern part of the United Kingdom, in Essex, half an hour's drive from Ipswich.This hill town by the river Colne is famous primarily for being the oldest in all of the British Isles.On the hill on which Colchester stands, the remains of the Roman city walls are still preserved.The city itself is not so big, but it is quite developed, full of characteristic features and because of this, it is interesting.
A LITTLE HISTORY
Ancient Camulodun, the first city in what is now Great Britain, was founded before our era.According to legends, the city was founded by the old king Kol - a mythical and semi-fairytale character, the founder of several Celtic dynasties, who appears in many legends and tales.Even before the Angles, Saxons and Romans, the ancient tribes Trinovants and Catuvellauns lived here.Later, under the Romans, the city was even the capital for a while, but then the united tribal leaders recaptured Camulodun from the Romans, and they had to move the main city to London.
Colchester seems to like being the best at everything.In 1884 it was on it that the strongest earthquake in the country's history hit, destroying a large part of the city's buildings.
Today, the population of Colchester is about one hundred thousand residents who work at various industrial enterprises, which are sufficient in the region.At the same time, Colchester itself is not an industrial city at all, but quite the opposite, provincial, quiet and pleasant.And this despite the fact that it houses the main building of the rather strong Essex University, as well as a permanent army garrison.
HOW TO GET
Stansted Airport is 50 km from the city.Colchester can be reached by rail from London (50 minutes from Liverpool Street station), Norwich (an hour away), Stratford, Ipswich or Chelmsford.National express buses go to the city every day from all major cities of the country.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SIGHTS
The main and the first of the historical monuments is the ancient Roman castle and wall. Not to say that they are very significant, they stand on the site of the former Roman temple of Emperor Claudius. At one time, the castle managed to be both a royal residence and a prison, and since 1860 became the main museum of the city, where collections from different periods of history are presented, starting from prehistoric times and ending with the Civil War. Not so long ago, the museum underwent modernization and today it is well equipped with audio and video equipment and tablet PCs for visitors.
Colchester is sometimes called the cultural capital of Essex, even though it is not the county's main town. And it's not just about antiquity: along with the old castle, this title is brilliantly defended by the Colchester Art Gallery. The Firstsite cultural complex in Lewis Gardens is dedicated exclusively to contemporary art in all its manifestations: painting, installation, video, performance. Firstsite was founded in 1994.and today it is considered the leading center of contemporary art in the country. Not only exhibitions are held here, but also educational programs for adults and children. The new building of the complex was built by the Uruguayan architect R. Vignoli and it looks extremely modern.
Humpty-Dumty ("Nonsense") is believed to be from Colchester. There is a possibility that during the siege of the city by supporters of the Parliament in the 17th century, this was the name given to a large defensive weapon that fell from the wall along with its fragment. It was so heavy that it remained there, breaking the impregnability of the fortress and thus failing the defense of the city.
In addition to the main one, the city has enough art galleries of different levels and with different exhibition themes. These are the famous Slack Space on Victoria Place, and the art gallery of contemporary art professionals Mynorise on the High Street, opened at Colchester College of Art and Design, and the sculpture collection of the University of Essex. On the other hand, there is the non-traditional studio "Kuku", where 30 artists have come together to work in a rural atmosphere on an abandoned farm, the gallery of temporary exhibitions Art Exchange, whose exhibits are partially located in Wivengo Park, and the art cafe "Mercy" on the Coast -road, where you can have breakfast or lunch, and at the same time - view the works of local artists, jewelers and potters.
Outside of the city, it makes sense to visit the arts and crafts center in Dedham, in the heart of "Constable Land", on the border of Essex and Suffolk. The center occupies a beautiful old church building. Exhibitions of paintings, a tea room, shops selling souvenirs, toys, accessories, interior items and other cute things are open here. Another similar town is Mistley Quay Workshops, located in Mistley, near the mouth of the River Stour.
There are several interesting museums in and around Colchester.These include the Boxted Air Museum at the former military airbase in Langham, the Hollitrees Museum in Castle Park, an attractive Georgian mansion from 1718 with a display of local costumes, toys and household items, the Natural History Museum in the High Street, the famous Sir Alfred Mannings Museum in Dedham (a famous artist) and the Mersey Island Museum in the Fisherman's House.
The night life of the city is also quite diverse.Comedy evenings are held in the arts center, instrumental concerts are held in the Charter Hall, the Mercury, Headgate and Lakeside theaters stage classics and avant-garde.In addition, at the tourist office, you can sign up for a thematic walking tour: "Walk with ghosts" is probably the most suitable for the evening.
Among other things, the city itself and the surroundings of Colchester are attractive for those who prefer recreation in the fresh air. You can have a city picnic right in the Victorian park near the castle, at the end of the Green Flag High Street. Beth Chatto Gardens is an equally attractive landscaped park in six acres of beautiful water. High Woods Country Park on the outskirts of town was once a royal hunting ground. And in the center of the city begins the "Way to the Sea" - an excursion route that leads to the Heath embankment through the most interesting area, past various objects of modern art installed along the way (the largest sculpture along the way is made of galvanized steel and is about 3.5 m high) .
Having moved away from the city at a very long distance (all within 10 km), you can also find a lot of interesting things.These are the pretty suburbs of Wivengo and West Mersey on the river, and the smallest town in England - Manningtree, and Maldon, famous for its specific sea salt used in cooking.You can relax by the sea at Cape Tendring, in Clacton, where there are good Blue Flag beaches and the annual famous air show.
An excellent place for family vacations is the Colchester Zoo, small but pleasant.More than 270 species of animals live here on 60 acres of the park, there are adventure play areas for children, a small locomotive for moving around the territory.It is interesting that the zoo, opened in 1963. to the Farrar couple, is privately owned and not funded by the state in any way.
