Colchester Roman & Medieval Heritage: A Complete Guide

The Brook Red Lion Hotel sits at the heart of Britain’s oldest recorded town, making it the perfect base for exploring over 2,000 years of continuous history. From Roman foundations to medieval magnificence, Colchester offers an unparalleled journey through English heritage, with many significant sites within easy walking distance of the hotel.

Roman Colchester: Camulodunum (49-410 AD)

The Roman Foundation

Colchester’s story begins in 49 AD when the Romans established Camulodunum as Britain’s first capital. Built on the site of the former Celtic stronghold of Camulod, the new Roman settlement became the administrative centre of Roman Britain and home to the Temple of Claudius - one of the largest temple complexes north of the Alps.

The Romans chose this location strategically, taking advantage of the River Colne’s navigable waters and the elevated position that provided natural defences. Within decades, Camulodunum had grown into a thriving colonia, a settlement for retired Roman soldiers who received grants of land and citizenship as reward for their military service.

Roman Walls and Balkerne Gate

Location: Accessible from multiple points around town centre Distance from Red Lion: 200-400 metres to various sections Best preserved sections: Balkerne Lane, Priory Street, Crouch Street

The most impressive remnants of Roman Colchester are the substantial portions of the original town walls that still stand today. These walls, constructed around 65-80 AD using local septaria stone and red tile courses, originally enclosed an area of 108 acres - making Camulodunum one of the largest Roman settlements in Britain.

The Balkerne Gate, located just 300 metres west of the Red Lion Hotel, represents the grandest entrance to Roman Colchester. This monumental gateway, the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain, once stood over 20 feet high and featured multiple archways for vehicles and pedestrians. The surviving western section still rises to an impressive height, with clear evidence of the Roman engineering techniques that enabled such massive construction.

Walking the Roman walls provides a tangible connection to the ancient past. The distinctive red tile courses, known as bonding courses, not only strengthened the structure but created the characteristic striped appearance that makes Roman construction immediately recognisable. These tiles were manufactured locally using clay from the Essex countryside, demonstrating the Romans’ efficient use of local resources.

Colchester Castle and Roman Temple

Location: Castle Park, High Street Distance from Red Lion: 600 metres (8-minute walk) Opening hours: Daily 10:00-17:00 (winter 10:00-16:00) Admission: Adults £12.50, concessions available

Colchester Castle represents one of the most remarkable examples of Norman construction in England, but its significance extends far deeper into history. Built between 1076-1100 on the exact foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius, the castle literally sits atop one of the most important religious sites in Roman Britain.

The Roman temple, completed around 84 AD, served as the focal point for imperial worship throughout the province. Its massive foundations, still visible in the castle’s undercroft, supported a structure that rivalled the great temples of Rome itself. The temple’s destruction during Boudicca’s rebellion in 60-61 AD marked one of the most traumatic events in British history, with thousands of Romans burning alive when they sought refuge within its walls.

The Norman builders deliberately chose to construct their castle on these Roman foundations, creating both practical and symbolic continuity. The resulting structure became the largest Norman keep in Europe, its walls incorporating Roman tiles and stones salvaged from the ancient settlement. Today, visitors can explore both Roman and Norman architectural elements within a single building.

Roman Museums and Discoveries

The Castle Museum houses one of Britain’s finest collections of Roman artefacts, including stunning mosaics, bronze sculptures, and everyday objects that illuminate life in Roman Camulodunum. The Fenwick Treasure, discovered in 2014, represents one of the most significant Roman hoards ever found in Britain, containing over 12,000 coins and precious objects.

Archaeological excavations continue to reveal new aspects of Roman Colchester. Recent discoveries include a Roman circus (chariot racing track) south of the town centre - only the sixth such structure identified in the entire Roman Empire. This discovery emphasises Colchester’s extraordinary importance in the Roman world.

Medieval Colchester: Norman Conquest to Tudor Times

St. Botolph’s Priory

Location: Priory Street Distance from Red Lion: 400 metres (5-minute walk) Access: Free, open during daylight hours

St. Botolph’s Priory, founded around 1100, holds the distinction of being the first Augustinian house established in England. The substantial ruins that remain today represent one of the finest examples of Norman Romanesque architecture in the country, with the impressive west front still rising to its original height.

The priory’s foundation marked a significant moment in English religious history. The Augustinian canons who established the community brought continental European religious practices to England, influencing the development of English monasticism for centuries to come. The priory’s church, measuring 320 feet in length, ranked among the largest ecclesiastical buildings in medieval England.

The surviving west front, with its distinctive Norman arches and decorative stonework, provides insight into the skilled craftsmanship that characterised the best Norman architecture. The use of local materials, including Roman tiles and stones salvaged from Camulodunum, creates a visual connection between Roman and medieval periods.

St. John’s Abbey Gatehouse

Location: St. John’s Street Distance from Red Lion: 700 metres (9-minute walk) Access: Exterior viewing only

The magnificent gatehouse of St. John’s Abbey stands as one of England’s finest examples of medieval monastic architecture. Built in the late 14th century, this imposing structure features elaborate decorative stonework, including heraldic shields and ecclesiastical symbols that demonstrate the abbey’s wealth and importance.

St. John’s Abbey, founded in 1095-1116, became one of the richest Benedictine houses in England. The abbey’s extensive lands and substantial income enabled the construction of magnificent buildings, of which the gatehouse represents the most impressive survivor. The intricate stonework includes representations of mitres, croziers, and other religious symbols that proclaimed the abbey’s spiritual authority.

Holy Trinity Church

Location: Trinity Street Distance from Red Lion: 250 metres (3-minute walk) Access: Usually open during daylight hours, services on Sundays

Holy Trinity Church represents one of Colchester’s most important Saxon foundations, with evidence suggesting a Christian church has occupied this site since the 7th century. The current structure, largely dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, incorporates substantial amounts of Roman building material, creating a fascinating architectural palimpsest.

The church’s tower, built around 1100, incorporates Roman tiles and stones throughout its construction, including a remarkable Roman tombstone built into the west wall. The nave features Norman arcades with distinctive scalloped capitals, whilst the Saxon tower arch demonstrates the continuity of Christian worship through the Norman Conquest.

The churchyard contains numerous 18th and 19th-century monuments, but archaeological evidence suggests continuous burial on this site for over 1,000 years. The church’s position within the Roman walls emphasises the continuity of religious practice from Saxon times through the medieval period to the present day.

Medieval Streets and Architecture

The Dutch Quarter

Location: Maidenburgh Street, Stockwell Street area Distance from Red Lion: 300-500 metres Best preserved examples: Stockwell Street, Sir Isaac’s Walk

The Dutch Quarter preserves some of Colchester’s finest examples of 16th and 17th-century domestic architecture. These timber-framed buildings housed Flemish and Dutch Protestant refugees who fled religious persecution in the Low Countries during the 16th century. Their arrival transformed Colchester’s economy, bringing advanced textile manufacturing techniques that made the town one of England’s most important cloth-producing centres.

The distinctive architectural style of these buildings reflects continental European influences adapted to English building traditions. The close-studded timber framing, jettied upper floors, and decorative plasterwork demonstrate the wealth and sophistication of the immigrant craftsmen who settled in Colchester.

Many buildings retain their original interior features, including massive oak beams, inglenook fireplaces, and decorative plasterwork. The craftsmanship evident in these structures represents some of the finest examples of Tudor and Jacobean building techniques in Essex.

Tymperleys Clock Museum

Location: Trinity Street Distance from Red Lion: 200 metres (3-minute walk) Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00 Admission: Free

Housed in a magnificent 15th-century timber-framed building, Tymperleys provides insight into both medieval domestic architecture and the history of timekeeping. The building itself, constructed around 1450, features a spectacular medieval hall with an open timber roof, massive oak beams, and evidence of original decorative schemes.

The museum’s collection of clocks and watches spans five centuries, but the building’s architecture remains equally compelling. The medieval hall demonstrates how wealthy merchants lived during the 15th century, with its impressive scale and sophisticated construction techniques. Original features include carved timber details, medieval windows, and evidence of the building’s evolution through subsequent centuries.

Practical Heritage Trail Routes

Roman Heritage Walk (2-3 hours)

Starting point: Brook Red Lion Hotel Route: Balkerne Gate → Roman Walls (Priory Street) → Castle → Roman Cemetery (Butt Road - optional extension) Highlights: Largest Roman gateway in Britain, temple foundations, Roman walls

Medieval Monastery Trail (2 hours)

Starting point: Brook Red Lion Hotel Route: Holy Trinity Church → St. Botolph’s Priory → St. John’s Abbey Gatehouse → Dutch Quarter Highlights: Saxon foundations, Norman architecture, monastic ruins

Architecture and Craftsmanship Walk (1.5 hours)

Starting point: Brook Red Lion Hotel Route: Tymperleys → Dutch Quarter → All Saints Church → St. Martin’s Church Highlights: Medieval hall, Tudor timber framing, continental influences

Visitor Information and Tips

Best Times to Visit

• Spring (March-May): Mild weather, fewer crowds, good photography light
• Summer (June-August): Longest opening hours, warmest weather, peak season
• Autumn (September-November): Beautiful light, moderate temperatures, fewer tourists
• Winter (December-February): Atmospheric lighting, indoor attractions, shorter days

Practical Considerations

• Most historic sites within 10-minute walk of Red Lion Hotel
• Free parking available at some locations, paid parking in town centre
• Many sites accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs
• Public toilets available in Castle Park and town centre
• Tourist Information Centre at Castle Museum

Recommended Duration

A comprehensive exploration of Colchester’s Roman and medieval heritage requires 2-3 days. However, the concentration of significant sites within walking distance of the Red Lion Hotel means visitors can see major attractions in a single full day.

Additional Resources

The Colchester Archaeological Trust operates regular guided tours and archaeological walks. The town’s visitor centre provides detailed maps and additional information about current excavations and special exhibitions. The Mercury Theatre and Colchester Arts Centre often host historical talks and performances that complement visits to heritage sites.

Combining Heritage with Hospitality

The Brook Red Lion Hotel’s own medieval origins (built 1465) make it an integral part of Colchester’s heritage story. Staying within a building that has witnessed over 550 years of history provides a unique perspective on the town’s development from medieval market centre to modern tourist destination. The hotel’s location within the Roman walls means guests sleep within the boundaries of ancient Camulodunum, making every moment a connection to Britain’s oldest recorded town.