Konect to Colchester, for Flemish fun, Roman revolts, wonderful wildlife and nocturnal nuance

The only way is Essex right now

Well may winter be drawing in, but cosmopolitan, charming Colchester is THE place to give you a fillip as the clocks change and the dark nights draw in. What’s more customer-centric Konect Bus is primed to take you there from across the county or if you are travelling from further afield, take you on a great tour of Essex, including from coastal gems Clacton and Walton-on-the Naze. Colchester is only 48 minutes away from London on a fast train and the route continues to and from Ipswich and Norwich, so it’s easy to get there and then onwards for fun exploration around the county on Konect Bus – check out https://www.konectbuses.co.uk/

Old in number, young at heart!

There’s few places in the UK that combine such an array of attractions than Colchester, which is often called Britain’s oldest recorded town. It’s an undersold destination that surprises people — a town where Roman walls still frame streets filled with galleries, theatres, and restaurants, and where a deep sense of heritage hums quietly beneath a lively, forward-looking, buzzing  community. 

Roman retreat’s a right treat at Castle Park

Begin in the heart of town at Colchester Castle, one of the finest surviving Norman keeps in Europe. Built on the foundations of a Roman temple dedicated to Claudius, the castle is a supreme masterpiece of repurposed history — its very stones include remnants of the Roman wall that once encircled the settlement of Camulodunum.

Inside, the award-winning museum brings two millennia of history to life through interactive displays, excavated artefacts, and immersive storytelling. For an unforgettable experience, join a guided tour deep oh so deep down into the Roman vaults, where the past feels real and tantalisingly close enough to touch. Just outside, paradisiacal Castle Park offers the perfect counterpoint: peaceful gardens, boating on the lake in summer, and picnics beneath ancient trees with the castle rising behind you.

Double dutch with Trinity Street and Eld Lane gems

From there, wander the cobbled lanes toward the Dutch Quarter, one of Colchester’s most photogenic areas. Named after the Flemish weavers who settled here in the 16th century, it’s full of crooked timber-framed houses and hidden courtyards that give the town its storybook charm. Trinity Street and Eld Lane are packed with independent shops, quirky galleries, and small cafés that make it easy to spend an afternoon just wandering.

First Class fun for all

For culture vultures, Firstsite is a ‘must visit’. This golden, crescent-shaped contemporary art gallery has put Colchester on the national map with its bold, captivating exhibitions, film screenings, and fun-packed community events.

The nearby Mercury Theatre, one of the East of England’s leading producing theatres, is another gem. Recently refurbished, it stages everything from bold new writing to reimagined classics, often starring emerging talent from across the region.

Colchester’s craft beers and classic cuisine!

When hunger strikes, Colchester offers a diverse food scene. GreyFriars, housed in an elegant Georgian townhouse, serves refined British and European dishes made with local produce — think roasted Essex duck, fresh seafood from the coast, and seasonal desserts that change with the month. For something more relaxed, The Old Siege House blends history and warmth, its timber-beamed interior serving as a reminder that it once stood at the edge of the 17th-century Civil War battleground. If you prefer something casual, Coda on Church Street is a cosy café by day and an intimate dinner spot by night, known for its sharing boards and live music. And for those chasing a proper pint, Three Wise Monkeys (60 High Street) offers craft beers and rooftop views, attracting students, locals, and visitors alike with its easy charm. The Bottomless Brunch is highly recommended and available at weekends between 11:00 and 15:00 for only £38 per person and includes – get this – unlimited Prosecco, Draught Beer, Tanqueray  G & T and cocktails!

Twist your way to Colchester with Konect Bus for the boogie vibes

Nightlife in Colchester is diverse enough to fit any mood, a magnet for local students and those from all parts of Essex and beyond. If you’re after energy, ATIK draws in the younger crowd with themed nights and DJs, while Twisters Bar plays indie anthems in a space that feels timelessly cool. https://twistersbar.com/

For something slower, there are wine bars tucked around Crouch Street and the High Street, like V Bar, where conversation lasts long after last orders. During summer, open-air concerts in Castle Park create a festival atmosphere — evenings where local bands play as the sky deepens to purple and the castle glows gold under the lights.

U’d be mad not to see the U’s!

Sport is another part of Colchester’s personality. Colchester United FC, known as The U’s, has been a cornerstone of the town’s identity since 1937. Their home at the JobServe Community Stadium is a modern, family-friendly ground, and matchdays bring a buzz that stretches far beyond the pitch, even if the fortunes of the team can feel a bit like a rollercoaster at times (that’s part of the thrill!). The club has had its share of memorable moments, including a famous FA Cup run in 2006 when they beat, then, Premier League side Charlton Athletic. Beyond football, Colchester’s rugby and cricket clubs (Essex have played many a game at Castle Park) have long histories, while the nearby countryside provides perfect trails for cyclists and runners — a reminder that this is also a town surrounded by space, greenery, and sea air – a short ride away on Konect Bus!

There’s no other way, there’s no other – get to Colchester with Konect!

Colchester’s fame doesn’t end with sport, though. The town has produced and inspired a number of creative figures. Damon Albarn, frontman of Blur and Gorillaz, grew up here, and the influence of suburban Essex life can be traced through much of his early music. The poet Charles Gray, the actor John Shrapnel, and artist John Constable, who studied nearby, all have connections to the region. Constable’s landscapes of Dedham Vale (see picture above) —  known as Constable Country — lie just minutes from Colchester, offering one of the most beautiful pastoral scenes in England. It’s worth taking a short trip there for a walk along the River Stour, where little has changed since his brush captured it two centuries ago.

Revolting Romans, quirks and curiosities in Colchester

There are also quirky sides to Colchester that locals love to share. The Roman wall that still stands around the centre is the oldest of its kind in Britain and was once the edge of the Roman capital itself. Legend has it that Boudica’s revolt against the Romans began right here, when the warrior queen’s army stormed the settlement and burned it to the ground in AD 60. Today, you can still see parts of the ancient wall woven into everyday streets — a reminder that Colchester has been rebuilt, reimagined, and reborn more than once. Another curiosity is the Balkerne Gate (see above), the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain, now standing incongruously beside a pub called the Hole in the Wall. It’s those fab juxtapositions — ruins beside pint glasses, history beside nightlife — that make Colchester so utterly compelling.

Even its zoo, Colchester Zoo, reflects the town’s ambition. One of the UK’s best, it’s home to elephants, lions, orangutans, and hundreds of other species, and it’s known for its strong conservation work.

Families can easily spend a whole day at Colchester Zoo, yet it never feels commercialised — more like an extension of Colchester’s deep-rooted respect for life and learning.

Flemish fun and Roman reflections at the end of a great day in Colchester!

Spend an evening wandering back through town, perhaps past the softly lit park or along the River Colne, and Colchester’s character comes into focus. It’s a town that wears its history lightly but proudly, a place where every street corner holds a story — Roman soldiers, Flemish weavers, Civil War sieges, indie musicians, students, and locals all layering into a living, breathing timeline. Few towns manage to feel so ancient and so alive at once. Be sure to explore Colchester by the fantastic Konect Bus!