I left London for Colchester and haven't looked back! (Colchester in General)

Member Name: bungle82

Product:	Colchester in General
Date:	18/02/09 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It has something for everyone.

Disadvantages: It could do with longer shopping hours.

I moved to Colchester from London three years ago and it's one of the best things I've ever done. I absolutely love Colchester and love almost everything about it too. It's got something for everyone and is a really vibrant town with loads going on, yet laid back at the same time. Right, this is what I love and what Colchester has to offer:

**HISTORY**

Colchester is Britain's oldest town and is steeped in history. From my bedroom window I can see part of the Roman wall that surrounds most of the town, and it's amazing to look at it and think "That's been there for 2,000 years, that has" - I never tire of it.

The castle is an iconic symbol of Colchester and dominates the town centre. A Norman keep, it is built on Roman foundations and just oozes history!

There are other historical areas worth noting too - including the Dutch quarter named after the 16th century Dutch weavers who fled to Colchester and settled there and the siege house (now a restaurant) which has bullet holes from the Siege of Colchester in 1648 - an important turning point in the English civil war.

**CULTURE**

There is loads to see and do in Colchester, including a couple of art galleries and several free museums (The Hollytrees museum is my favourite - there's a dolls house in there that I sooooo WANT!). A visual arts facility is currently being built, but the VAF (as it's locally known) is way behind schedule and costing a fortune so the less said about that the better!! There's also a church every couple of steps (well, that's what it feels like anyway).

**LEISURE**

In my opinion, nobody could ever say they're bored in Colchester. There are endless restaurants, pubs, clubs and cafes as well as a multiplex cinema, two theatres, a swimming and spa complex, a ten-pin bowling alley, the UK's biggest roller disco, a paint balling and laser centre, wide open spaces and a world famous zoo.

There are also loads of shops - both huge name stores you would expect such as M&S, Debenhams, BHS etc and lots of smaller boutiques too which offer more unusual clothes, accessories and gifts. If that isn't enough there's also a large street market 2 days a week.

**OPEN SPACES**

Colchester has loads of outdoor space to explore and enjoy. My favourite is Castle Park which surrounds the famous castle - it's a gorgeous Victorian park complete with beautifully kept flower beds, a children's play area, band stand, café and restaurant, boating lake and cricket pitches. It's a great place for whiling away time on hot summer days with an ice cream!

There is also Highwoods Country Park in the north of the town which offers the chance to explore ancient woodland, and several riverside walks that can be followed too.

**LOCATION**

There is enough to keep you occupied in Colchester, but if you want to venture further afield it is ideally located for reaching just about anywhere! London is just under an hour away by train (the town has two train stations) and Norwich is an hour away in the opposite direction. Ipswich, Chelmsford and Braintree are also close by if you want to shop outside of Colchester and can be reached by train or road (A12). If you want to visit the seaside you don't have to venture too far - West Mersea and Brightlingsea are just minutes away and the sunshine coast of Essex (Clacton-on-Sea, Walton-on-Naze etc) is about half an hour away. If you really want to get further away, Stansted airport is about 45 minutes away and Harwich port is even closer if you have your sea legs!

**OVERVIEW**

Colchester really does have something for everyone and is much more affordable than London. There are hardly any down sides - the only one I can think of being that the shops tend to all shut at 5.30pm during the week which is no use for popping in on your way home!

Summary: A fab town with loads going on.