WHAT TO SEE & DO...

There is so much 'to see & do' in the historic and cultural centre of Colchester, and beautiful surrounding area.

Most popular attractions - within short walking distance from the Old Manse*: 

• Colchester Castle, Park and Museum (See 'History') 

   Other museums include: Hollytrees Museum (a social history museum with children's
   exhibits), the Natural History Museum (focusing on the rich natural heritage of north-east   

   Essex) and Tymperleys Clock Museum (housing one of the largest collections of clocks in

   Britain).

• Colchester's national award winning Mercury Theatre

   Other theatres include: Headgate Theatre (Colchester 'fringe' theatre) and Colchester
   Arts Centre (a performing arts venue).

• FirstSite - shortly to be completed as one of the leading contemporary art venues in the
   country.

• Colchester High Street, lanes and shopping centres

   Including, Colchester's rare and secondhand bookshop, at the end of Roman Road.

• Numerous Restaurants and Cafe's

• Guided tours - on foot and by bus

• Riverside walks

• Popularised concerts and exhibitions at Charter Hall

• Classical concerts at St. Botolph's Priory

• Swimming, fitness and sports at the Colchester Leisure World

• Bus connection to Essex University, Colchester Zoo and nearby attractions

   From the end of Roman Road

• Two train stations with frequent connections to central London

• Hourly coach connections to Gatwick and Heathrow, with direct links to Stansted Airports

* Please also see 'What's On', for a list of up and coming events, fayres and festivals
   throughout the year!

Other nearby attractions*:

1. •Historic buildings - Hedingham Castle, Cressing Temple - ancient buildings given to the
   

  Knights Templar and Layer Marney Tower - an outstanding Tudor gatehouse, with gardens 
  and a rare breeds farm

• East Anglian Railway Museum - located at Chappel and Wakes Colne railway station

• Cuckoo Farm Studios and Chappel Galleries - showing work by professional artists

• Beth Chatto Gardens - a world reknowned garden and nursery

• Historic and pictureque Essex & Suffolk "Wool Towns" form the 16th and 17th
  century - Coggeshall, Lavenham and Nayland

1. •Dedham Vale 'Constable Country' - for beautiful riverside walks in an 'Area of  
   

   Outstanding Natural Beauty' by the River Stour, often famously painted by Sir John  

   Constable

• Fingringhoe Nature Reserve and Abberton Resevoir Nature Reserve

• Mersea Island - the most eastern inhabited island in the UK, famous for it's Oysters too

• Colchester Zoo

* Further information about the following attractions can be found at The Old Manse  
  during your stay.