Look, I know it’s fairly difficult to believe, because – well… London oozes main character energy, but this big, bright, and utterly beloved city of ours wasn’t always the UK’s capital. In fact, a fair few towns held the title prior to London. But only one of them was the very first. And that, my friends, is Colchester.
Just an hour outside of London is a historic hotspot that not only holds the shiny accolade of being the first capital of the UK, but also boasts the coveted title of being the oldest recorded town in Britain. Being the first place to be given the status of a Roman Colonia, Colchester boasts almost 2000 years worth of history. And it’s a pretty fascinating place to know about, really.
Perched proudly over in north-east Essex, Colchester has been continuously inhabited since the Roman times, when it was actually named Camulodunum. Dating back to approximately 50AD (although there’s no exact discovery date set in stone), Colchester was the home of the governor of Brittania, and it was used as a centre of power for the Romans. Despite boasting these impressive claims to fame, Colchester wasn’t actually given city status until 2022 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. But all’s well that end’s well, and all that. And Colchester is now a thriving city, serving up culture, charm, and historical significance in spades.
Things to do in Colchester
As you may have already gathered, there’s a whole lot of culture crammed inside the city. You can wander through the historic city centre, explore the medieval sites, and find surviving relics from its early days in the form of ancient walls and gateways. Colchester is also home to Colchester Castle; the oldest Norman Keep in Europe. You can wander the grounds, gawp at the fascinating displays, and truly immerse yourself in the rich history.
For those less interested in history; there’s plenty for you to get stuck in to, as well. Home to a very popular zoo, an abundance of shops, cafes, eateries and drinkeries, and the rather gorgeous likes of Dedham Vale National Landscape and Mersea Island; there’s every reason to pay a visit to this little corner of the country.
Getting to Colchester from London
Colchester is within super easy reach of the capital city, being just a hop, skip, and a train ride away. Londoners can jump on a train at Liverpool Street, and be in the centre of Colchester just 45 minutes later. And drivers can expect the journey from London to Colchester to take just over an hour by car.