Colchester in Essex was once the capital of Roman Britain, and is the oldest recorded city in Britain, with a history stretching right back over 2,000 years
The UK is home to many historic cities, but only one can claim the title of being the oldest.
Colchester in Essex, once the capital of Roman Britain, boasts a history that spans over 2,000 years and is home to one of the country’s most impressive castles. Located around 50 miles northeast of London, it was originally known as Camulodunum, named after Camulos, the Celtic god of war.
It became the first major city in Roman Britain and even served as its first capital before London took over. In AD 43, the Roman Emperor Claudius personally led his troops into the city, completing the full conquest of Britain. A massive temple dedicated to Claudius was built soon after, but it didn’t last very long.
In AD 60, the city was burned to the ground by Boudicca, the Iceni queen who led a revolt against Roman rule. An estimated 30,000 people were killed in the uprising.
In response, the Romans rebuilt the city with fortified walls, some of which still stand today, making them Britain’s oldest town walls. The most famous landmark in Colchester is its Norman castle, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, reports the Express.
Built in 1076, it was William the Conqueror’s first stone castle in England, constructed on top of the ruins of the old Roman temple. Over the centuries, the castle survived sieges, served as a prison, and was even partially demolished in the 17th century before being restored.
Today, Colchester Castle Museum invites visitors to explore medieval jail cells and Roman artefacts. But Colchester’s significance in English history stretches well beyond the Roman era.
For instance, during the English Civil War, the city endured a nearly 12-week siege in 1648 by Parliamentarian forces. The two Royalist commanders, Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, were executed close to the castle, with a memorial stone marking the spot where they met their end.
Despite its tumultuous past, Colchester flourished in the medieval and Victorian times as a hub for wool and weaving. Numerous timber-framed buildings from the Jacobean and Tudor periods still stand today.
The city even boasts a link to nursery rhymes, claiming “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” originated there, evidenced by a stone memorial on the high street. Beyond its historic castle, Colchester offers attractions like the Balkerne Gate, Britain’s best-preserved Roman gateway, and Colchester Zoo, one of the UK’s premier wildlife parks.
Another highlight is the Jumbo Water Tower, a grand Victorian edifice named after a renowned elephant from the London Zoo. Colchester has long been known as Britain’s first city, a title it proudly reclaimed in 2022 when it was awarded city status during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
