Colchester City Council oversees local governance in the historic town of Colchester, Essex. Led by elected councillors, it manages essential services like housing, waste management, and community development. Engaging with residents through consultations and events, the council aims to involve the community in decision-making. Beyond providing services, it focuses on preserving the town's heritage, supporting cultural events, and boosting economic growth through initiatives that benefit residents and local businesses.
Colchester City Council encourages all employees to maximise their potential. Join us and you will be entitled to join an attractive pension scheme and will receive a generous annual leave entitlement, including two extra company holidays during the Christmas period. And other benefits include:
Colchester is the former capital of Roman Britain and Britain's first city. You'll discover its heritage at every turn starting with Colchester Castle. The Castle still dominates the local landscape sitting proud in award-winning Castle Park. Built by the Normans on the site of the Roman temple of Claudius, today, it's a fascinating interactive museum where families can marvel at nationally important treasures and discover more about its 2,000 year history.
Wander around the city centre and discover history at every turn with its museums, ruins and ancient streets telling the tales of its heritage including the Siege of Colchester that took place during the English Civil War.
Today the city it's a thriving cultural hub where you can delve into arts at venues like the Mercury Theatre and the Colchester Arts Centre. For modern art head to Firstsite, Colchester's stunning modern gallery. Even here Colchester’s history pops up in the form of a Roman mosaic re-laid where it was found, in the floor of this 21st Century architectural marvel, and like many of the city centre attractions its free to visit.
Alongside its history you will find a bustling and lively city centre with plenty of big named retailers, small independent boutiques and a huge variety of places to eat and drink.
Beyond the immediate city centre, the wider Colchester area boasts some of England’s most iconic landscapes; from the Dedham Vale immortalised by Constable to the salt marshes and mud flats of Mersea Island, where Colchester’s native oysters have been cultivated and consumed since Roman times.
Explore the city's rich history walking the Roman Walls, embrace Colchester's military legacy at the Colchester Garrison, follow your favourite sports, supporting local team Colchester United and enjoying various athletic facilities like Colchester Leisure World, Colchester Sports Park and the Garrison Athletics Stadium.
Brimming with history, an hour from London, yet poised at the gateway to East Anglia, with picturesque villages on the doorstep and only minutes from the coast, Colchester is the perfect destination to live and work or visit.
Recently bestowed with city status in May 2022, Colchester invites all to discover its vibrant culture and community spirit.
Colchester is bursting with incredible experiences! For starters, Colchester Zoo steals the show. With a staggering 270 species spread across 60 acres of scenic parklands and lakes, it's a haven for wildlife lovers. The zoo's constant evolution and numerous awards make it a must-visit.
Next up, Colchester Castle stands tall as Europe's largest Norman Keep, steeped in history from its Roman roots. The Castle Museum unravels fascinating tales spanning 2,500 years, showcasing internationally acclaimed archaeological collections. Delve into the most significant Roman discoveries in Britain and unearth layers of captivating history.
To the north of Colchester discover the Dedham Vale and Constable Country which are ripe for exploration, whilst Mersea Island lies to the south where you can sample the famous Colchester oysters. The Dedham Vale is Essex’s only Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, whilst the saltmarshes on the mainland around Mersea are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, providing unique habitats for native species and migrating birds alike. The Essex Wildlife Trust run nature reserves such at Abberton Reservoir and Fingringhoe Wick and there’s no shortage of scenic country walks around the Essex landscape to enjoy – the river side route from Colchester to Wivenhoe Quay is a particular favourite.
Mersea of course is also famous for its seafood and particularly its oysters, and you'll find a fine selection of seafood restaurants on the west of the island, kept stocked by the local fishermen.
Colchester's other local delicacy can be found in nearby Tiptree, where world-famous jam manufacturers Wilkin and Son run their farm and factory. Stop by one of the several local Tiptree Tearooms to sample their unique little scarlet strawberry jam as part of a delicious cream tea.
Other popular destinations include the country’s tallest Tudor gatehouse at the impressive Layer Marney Tower, and a first-class heritage railway at the East Anglian Railway Museum, neatly positioned beside the imposing Chappel Viaduct, one of the largest brick structures in Britain and a sight that wouldn't look out of place traversing the Yorkshire Dales!
Colchester is a bustling hub of learning with a staggering 55 schools (independent ones aside). Among them, you'll find 37 primary schools, 11 thriving secondary schools, and two dedicated to sixth-form education. The majority being rated as good from Ofsted.
But that's not all— the renowned University of Essex, nestled in the scenic Wivenhoe Park to the east, proudly ranks among the top 30 in the Guardian University Guide 2024. It is known for its research excellence and diverse academic programmes, across various disciplines.
And, there’s more; Colchester Sixth Form College, Colchester Institute, and a Colchester branch of Adult Community Learning (ACL) —the largest education provider in Essex.
Colchester has a mix of transportation options. Hop on the bus for easy connections to Chelmsford and Clacton-on-Sea. With two well-connected railway stations, reaching places like Chelmsford, Romford, and London Liverpool Street. If coastal vibes are your thing, access to Walton-on-the-Naze is a train ride away.
The town's strategic road links paint a picture of convenience. The A12 links Colchester to both London and East Anglia, while the A120 link to Harwich, Stansted Airport, and the M11 Motorway in the West.
Though no longer in operation, The Hythe, Colchester's historical port, stands as a reminder of the town's maritime heritage.
