Culture, History and Leisure - Colchester Has Appeal to All Visitors

Colchester, is located the eastern corner ofEurope's biggest Norman keeps and, although this
England, in the county of Essex, just slightly topart is in ruins, other areas of the castle house
the north of London. Due to its long history, therethe museum and contains many original Roman
are many places of interest to visit in Colchester -artifacts, and other items of interest from British
in fact, there is such a lot to occupy your timehistory. Apart from museums, there is a zoo,
here that a single day here is quite simply not longfeaturing a new sea lion enclosure, at the castle,
enough. Around the county of Essex there is aand the Layer Marney Tower, built during Henry
huge diversity of things to keep the visitor busy.VIII's reign. This is a particularly famous Essex
For the hardy, outdoor visitor, try NOMAD Sealandmark.
Kayaking, which even caters for completeColchester also features an excellent shopping
beginners, or visit the watersports and outdoorcentre - including many of the smaller, individual
education centre at the Southend Marine Activitiesspecialist shops that sell a myriad of miscellaneous
Centre which belongs to Southend Council and,and unusual items. To keep the children from
being fully accredited RYA and BCU, is licensed togetting bored, a visit to Rollerworld will soon buck
provide courses for the general public as well asthem up: recognised as being the best roller rink in
schools' visitors. Staying with the great outdoors,Europe, Rollerworld has innumerable other
visit the River Lee where you will find Lee Valleyfeatures to claim the attention of the most jaded
Boat Centre. Here you can hire a vessel foryoungster - such as Quasar, a laser game, and
private function, or take a leisurely hourly cruiseBowlingo which is a bit like ten pin bowling.
along the river.If your children are still looking for more fun, take
For the culture buffs, there is the Mercurythem along to the One Minet Skate Park which is
Theatre, situated at Balkerne Gate. For those ofa concrete skate park built on American lines -
you who are entranced by Colchester's past, youeven total beginners can enjoy themselves in the
will find St Botolph's Priory, built during the 12thlandscaped grounds where a mini-skate park is
century, close to the mainline railway station. Theavailable for them to get the hang of this activity.
museum, at Colchester Castle is a mine ofIn Essex, it really is the case of 'too little time -
information. The castle, which was built on theand too much to do'. Enjoy your visit and be sure
remains of a Roman temple, features one ofto return.