The 10 Best Things to Do in Colchester, United Kingdom (UK)

Colchester Arts Centre - the little church with the big attitude deep in the heart of Essex. Well that's how we describe it anyway. It sort of works, it at least gives a flavour of what we're about. Because just how do you describe a venue that can put children's entertainer Palfi the Clown on, on the same day as Cradle of Filth? Where a Farmer's Market in the morning becomes a comedy club in the evening, where folk enthusiasts can sit happily knitting (and they do!) in the exact same spot a ferocious mosh pit of teenage dancing takes place the following night? And where the beautiful historic architecture of St Mary's Church dating back over a thousand years, plays host to some of the newest comics, most modern choreographers, some of the coolest DJ's and some of the freshest talent in Britain. Over the years we've promoted Coldplay, Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton, Harry Hill, Catherine Tate, Jo Brand, The Libertines, Ash, The Killers, The Strokes, Phill Jupitus, Mick Jones, Bill Bailey, Jack Dee, Count Arthur Strong - all before anyone had ever heard of them of course - plus the likes of jazz legend Ronnie Scott and even the late lamented and much loved Brian Johnston the cricket commentator. Our passion to present new work, bring great bands and comics to Colchester burns more brightly than ever. Our business is all about fresh ideas, new acts, new art forms and vibrant new ways of working. We can't stand still. We embrace the new, the quirky the original and yes, the surreal.

Alfred Munnings' lifetime spanned the late Victorian era through to the Atomic Age and in that epic arc of an increasingly modern world his art and lifestyle held firm to a traditional pastoral and rurally-inspired sensibility. Widely known for his paintings of horses and of horse-racing, the scope of Munnings' talent also produced iconic rural scenes which have the lyrical power to transport those who visit The Munnings Art Museum back in time to a lost world where people worked the land with horses and made time to delight in a lazy drift along an autumnal river. The museum, in the artist's former home and studio, presents carefully curated displays, from its comprehensive collection of Munnings' work, charting the artist's life and career: from his childhood at Mendham Mill in Suffolk, through his training at Norwich School of Art and as a commercial illustrator's apprentice, and finally to the work for which he is globally recognised. The chronological displays are complemented by two galleries, which have been recently refurbished, dedicated to a special exhibition entitled: 'Munnings and the Horse'. This exhibition examines the way in which the artist created his horse pictures, from basic drawings through to painted sketches and fully finished canvases. It also includes examples of his sculpture, a medium in which he rarely worked.

Free the fun in you! The Mercury exists to put theatre at the heart of the cultural life of the community it serves and to make work in Colchester that reaches audiences and generates critical attention regionally and nationally.

Colchester Zoo is constantly developing and has won many awards for its work. With over 270 species to see, set in 60 acres of beautiful parkland and lakes, Colchester Zoo is well worth a visit. As you walk around the zoo there's plenty of play areas to try out including the indoor soft play area Jungle Tumble with a section for under 3s and all new play equipment where the kids can release their wild side! New enclosures include a walk through enclosure with butterflies and another with Rainbow Lorikeets offering visitors a chance to feed them a treat of nectar. Plus there's 'Bears of the Rising Sun', a state of the art enclosure which houses two beautiful sun bears , Jo Jo and Srey Ya. You can also come face to face with Komodo Dragons, see white rhino, giraffes, ostrich and kudu roaming together at Kingdom of the Wild and walk underwater through the 24m tunnel at the Playa Patagonia sealion pool. Learn more about the animals and see them up close by watching one of the 50 daily displays. You even get the fantastic opportunity to feed the elephants and giraffes yourself and take a ride on the 'Lost Madagascar Express' road train! Don't forget to pop into the discovery centre and have a go at handling some unusual bugs or get your face painted and transform yourself into your favourite animal!

Colchester's distinctive heritage is nowhere more apparent than in Castle Park. A site of national importance, this Victorian Park contains evidence of 2000 years of history and is a landscape moulded by the people of Colchester over many eras.Castle Park not only encompasses much of Colchester's rich heritage within its boundaries but is much loved and used as a part of present day life. It boasts over 1 million visitors a year. Providing a green oasis in the town centre, you can sit, walk, enjoy music, play games, or picnic amongst wonderful flowers and trees. Its horticulture is award-winning and the park has long been a superb venue for the town's big events.The park itself is designated Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England.

High Woods Country Park is one of Colchester's beauty spots. The Country Park includes woodland, open spaces (ideal for picnics) a lake and wildflower meadows. Along with marshy areas, hayfields and scrubland, High Woods provides the right habitat for thousands of different birds and mammals. It's free for humans too. The Council's High Woods team looks after this gem throughout the year. Their welcoming approach to visitors and creative management of the park has lead to it holding the prestigious Green Flag Award since 2004. All in all, a place not to be missed by walkers, cyclists and families alike.

Visitors can enjoy walks on Essex Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve; with stunning panoramic views across the Reservoir and surrounding villages as well as superb views of the water’s edge from three bird hides. The nature reserve has a 900m accessible circular footpath and there are wheelchairs available for use. The Visitor Centre offers a tearoom which is open seven days a week providing a variety of hot and cold food, most of which is locally sourced; easy access toilets & baby changing facilities; and a well-stocked shop which has binoculars, telescopes, bird food, feeders and a range of gifts. Essex Wildlife Trust runs a programme of events throughout the year for all ages as well as children’s outdoor birthday parties and a weekly toddler group available during term time; booking is required for all of our events. On the nature reserve there is a new Brambly Hedge sculpture trail, where you can find seven characters from the classic stories written by Jill Barklem; there is also a wild play area with a zip wire, v bridge, swings and spiderweb net. Essex Wildlife Trust is a charity and relies on donations to carry out its work for the wildlife and people of Essex. There is suggested entry donation of £2 for Adults £1 for children and £5 Family; car parking is free. The huge expanse of Essex & Suffolk Water’s Abberton Reservoir plays host to some 40,000 wetland birds each year all attracted to the shallow muddy margins and large areas of rough grassland, which provide the ultimate habitat for a plethora of wildlife and waterfowl. The Visitor Centre is 6 miles SW of Colchester on the B1026 (a minor road linking Colchester and Maldon) just South of Layer de la Haye - follow the brown and white "Abberton Reservoir visitor centre" signs.

The Gardens and Arboretum at Marks Hall form an unmissable attraction in the Essex countryside. Marks Hall combines many English traditions with beautiful formal Gardens, a stunning Arboretum with an enviable collection of mature trees from across the world, woodland and leafy paths to walk on for miles. A visit to Marks Hall will inspire a need to return time and time again seeing new things as they happen throughout the year.

Open 7 days a week 7.5 Acres of inspirational Gardens. Entrance fee from £4.50 depending on season (under 16's free except on special event days). Gravel Garden, extensive Nursery and Tearoom all free to gain access. The Beth Chatto Gardens began in 1960. From an overgrown wasteland with poor gravel soil and boggy hollows, using the principles of ecological planting, it has been transformed into 7 acres of informal garden comprising of the Gravel Garden, Water Garden, Reservoir Garden, Woodland Garden and Scree Garden all harmonising with the surrounding countryside. The Gardens are an inspiration to anyone who visits them - the art of planting at its best. There is also an extensive Nursery with choice of over 2,000 different kinds of mainly herbaceous plants and bulbs. Light and spacious Tearoom with homemade cakes, light lunches, breakfasts, fresh ground coffee and selection of teas. Closed Christmas and New Year

Recommended in Great British Gardens 2015 and Essex Days out as well as visit Essex. Featured on front cover of Homes and Gardens 2012 and Ma Maison Ma Jardin 2013. 20 acres of professionally designed Gardens within woodland destroyed by the 1987 Hurricane. Now laid out with Terrace, japanese garden, seaside garden, water Gardens, gravel garden and extensive woodland Gardens. It is a plantsman's paradise with a host of unusual plants in all seasons often of borderline hardiness thriving in the unique island microclimate. Special highlights include, snowdrops, Bluebells and Azaleas in May and spectacular Autumn colour.