Colchester has a claim no other British town can match. Founded by the Romans as Camulodunum, it was the first capital of Roman Britain and is the oldest recorded town in the country. Two thousand years of history are still on show: a huge Norman castle sitting on the remains of a Roman temple, long stretches of Roman wall, the old weavers' houses of the Dutch Quarter and a bold modern art gallery. It is one of the most underrated day trips from London, and a private chauffeur makes it easy.
Why Visit Colchester With a Private Chauffeur?
Colchester is around an hour and a half to two hours from central London, straight up the A12. It gets far fewer visitors than Oxford or Cambridge, so its sights are usually calmer and much less crowded.
Your chauffeur collects you from your London address, drives you to Colchester and waits at each stop for as long as you like. History lovers, families with children or anyone looking for a day trip that is a little off the usual path will all find plenty here.
Colchester Castle and Museum
Colchester Castle has the largest Norman keep in Europe, bigger in footprint than the White Tower at the Tower of London. Building began in the 1070s, directly on top of the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius, and you can still see Roman bricks and tiles reused in its thick walls. You can even go down to see the Roman temple vaults underneath.
Inside, the Castle Museum tells the whole story of the town, from Iron Age finds and Roman treasures to the medieval period and the Civil War siege of 1648. Your sightseeing chauffeur will drop you at Castle Park and wait while you explore the castle and the museum.
The Roman Walls
Colchester has the oldest and most complete Roman town walls in Britain. They were built in the decades after AD 60 and once ran for nearly three kilometres around Camulodunum. Long sections survive, some still standing several metres high.
The best stretch is on Balkerne Hill, where the Balkerne Gate, the largest surviving Roman gateway in Britain, still stands. It is a remarkable thing to walk through. Your chauffeur will drop you at the most accessible sections and wait while you explore on foot.
The Dutch Quarter
The Dutch Quarter is a tangle of narrow old streets lined with timber-framed and brightly painted houses. It takes its name from the Flemish weavers who fled religious persecution in the 16th century and made Colchester one of England's great cloth towns. You can still see their influence in the old houses along Stockwell Street and the lanes around it.
It is a place for wandering, so your chauffeur will drop you at the edge and wait nearby while you explore the streets and the independent shops and cafés.
Firstsite Gallery
Firstsite is a striking modern art gallery, a long curved building clad in gold-coloured metal in the middle of the old town. It was built on the site of a Roman house, and a Roman mosaic found nearby is on display inside. The gallery runs changing exhibitions of contemporary art, as well as events for the local community, and entry is free.
It is a great contrast to the town's ancient sites and shows off Colchester's modern side. Your hourly chauffeur can drop you at the door and wait while you see the current exhibitions.
Colchester Zoo and Dedham Vale
If you are travelling with children, Colchester Zoo is set in 60 acres of parkland just outside the town and is home to more than 260 species. It is one of the best-known zoos in the UK, and combining it with a morning at the castle makes a full and easy family day out.
If you prefer the countryside, Dedham Vale, the landscape made famous by John Constable's paintings, is a short drive north. The villages of Dedham and Flatford and the mill Constable painted are peaceful and very pretty, and your chauffeur can add them to your day.
Our Fleet for Your Colchester Chauffeur Tour
Our premium fleet is available for every Colchester tour. The Mercedes E-Class is ideal for one or two people. The Mercedes S-Class adds extra comfort. The Mercedes V-Class fits families and groups of up to seven, and the Range Rover is a comfortable, eye-catching choice.
Every car is TfL licensed, fully insured and comes with Wi-Fi, bottled water, phone chargers and climate control, cleaned and ready for every journey.
How to Book Your Colchester Chauffeur Tour
Call, email or WhatsApp us with your date, pickup address, number of passengers, preferred car and what you would like to see. We will confirm quickly and send the details before your trip.
Roman walls, a Norman castle, the Dutch Quarter, modern art or a day in Constable Country: a private chauffeur is the easiest way to explore Britain's oldest recorded town. Book your Colchester chauffeur today.
