In AD77 a Roman writer by the name of Pliny the Elder described the location of the Isle of Anglesey as being 'about 200 miles from Camulodunum, a town in Britain'. This was the Roman name for 'Colchester' and is the earliest known reference to a fixed settlement in Britain, hence the claim to be Britain's oldest recorded town.
Shopping & culture
Colchester today is a diverse and lively shopping centre with a very cosmopolitan atmosphere and a thriving cultural life.
Education & Tourism
Students from all over the world study at the University of Essex and the English Study Centre, and - due to its excellent transport links - the town is very popular with visitors from the rest of Europe. So it is quite normal to hear several different languages on even the shortest stroll through the town centre.
Military
The town is also influenced by its long military associations and the Colchester Garrison is one of the major bases of the British Army.
The world famous
Colchester Castle is an 11th century Norman keep, and built on top of the vaults of the old Roman temple.
