Top 3 Itineraries in Colchester

No matter how long you plan to stay, there’s a perfect trip to Colchester.

If you only have a few days, Colchester weekend getaways are the perfect option. A 3 to 5-day stay in Colchester offers just enough time to soak in the highlights

For a balanced mix of sightseeing and relaxation, city breaks in Colchester are ideal. With a few extra days, you can dive deeper into Colchester’s most iconic landmarks, stroll through charming neighborhoods, and savor local cuisine at a leisurely pace.

For those who crave freedom and discovery, road trips through Colchester offer the perfect opportunity to explore beyond the city. With the open road ahead, you’ll uncover England's most scenic landscapes, visit charming towns, and discover hidden gems along the way.

Explore all the best trips for every travel style below and make your next trip to Colchester truly unforgettable!

If you’re as convinced as we are that Colchester belongs on your bucket list, you're in luck. The best trips to Colchester are just a quick search away.

Enter your dates below to discover the best travel packages in Colchester and start planning your next trip!

Discover the perfect Colchester itinerary with our handpicked list. Whether you're in Colchester for a short stay or a longer visit, there's an itinerary for you.

With detailed routes, top attractions, and insider tips, these 3 itineraries will help you experience the best of Colchester without missing a thing. Dive into our list and learn how to plan the ultimate trip to Colchester!

A scenic 12-day road trip through London, Bath, Norwich, Oxford, and Portsmouth is one of the best ways to experience England. With the freedom to travel at your own pace, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make spontaneous stops between the planned activities on your itinerary.

A 12-day itinerary means that Colchester can easily be combined with other top destinations in England without stress. While it’s possible to travel between London, Bath, Norwich, Oxford, and Portsmouth by public transport, renting a car in England opens up a whole new level of freedom!

So, with 12 days to spend, all you need is a rental car, some hotel reservations, and this iconic road trip itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Norwich

• Arrival city: Norwich
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Norwich, e.g., Maids Head Hotel
• Sightseeing: Gravity Active Norwich

Begin your road trip adventure by picking up your rental car at the airport upon arrival in Norwich. Drive to your centrally located hotel, which offers convenient access to local attractions. Spend the day exploring nearby sights, and in the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling regional flavors and soaking up the atmosphere.

Day 2: Explore Norwich and Great Yarmouth

• Destinations: Norwich and Great Yarmouth
• Driving distance: 155.35 km, approx. 2 hours and 52 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Colchester, e.g., GreyFriars
• Sightseeing: Hippodrome Circus, Norwich Market, Norwich Cathedral, Great Yarmouth Beach, and Merrivale Model Village

Set out on a day of discovery and visit Hippodrome Circus, Norwich Market, Norwich Cathedral, Great Yarmouth Beach, and Merrivale Model Village. Take time to enjoy the scenery and local highlights of Norwich and Great Yarmouth, with the freedom to stop at whatever sight catches your interest. By the end of the day, check-in at a new hotel, located in central Colchester.

Day 3: Discover Colchester

• Destinations: Colchester
• Driving distance: 181.82 km, approx. 2 hours and 56 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in Brighton, e.g., The Grand Brighton
• Sightseeing: Hever Castle & Gardens, Colchester Zoo, Firstsite, and Colchester Castle
• Recommended tour: The Brighton story - walking tour

Spend the day exploring Hever Castle & Gardens, Colchester Zoo, Firstsite, and Colchester Castle. Take scenic drives or walking tours to experience the area’s charm at your own pace. End the day by checking into a new hotel, conveniently located in central Brighton.

Day 4: Experience Portsmouth and Brighton

• Destinations: Portsmouth and Brighton
• Driving distance: 220.12 km, approx. 3 hours and 25 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Oxford, e.g., Mollie's Motel & Diner
• Sightseeing: Spinnaker Tower, Mary Rose Museum, HMS Victory, and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
• Recommended tour: 90 Minute Classic Walking Tour of Oxford

Continue your journey through Portsmouth and Brighton, where you can explore Spinnaker Tower, Mary Rose Museum, HMS Victory, and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Make time for a break at a cozy café or scenic picnic spot. Wrap up the day by checking in at a hotel in the heart of Oxford.

Day 5: Enjoy Sightseeing in Bath, Oxford, and Salisbury

• Destinations: Bath, Oxford, and Salisbury
• Driving distance: 282.84 km, approx. 4 hours and 2 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Oxford, e.g., Mollie's Motel & Diner
• Sightseeing: Stonehenge, Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey, and The Roman Baths
• Recommended tour: Oxford | Alumni-Led Walking Tour w/opt New College

Drive through Bath, Oxford, and Salisbury, stopping to visit Stonehenge, Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey, and The Roman Baths. Don't forget to embrace the opportunity to explore smaller towns and hidden gems along the way.

Day 6: Embrace the Spirit of Oxford, Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon

• Destinations: Oxford, Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon
• Driving distance: 251.03 km, approx. 3 hours and 35 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in London, e.g., Intercontinental Hotel London - The O2
• Sightseeing: The Covered Market, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Warwick Castle, and Oxford University Museum of Natural History
• Recommended tour: Walking Tour for Muggles in London

Spend time discovering The Covered Market, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Warwick Castle, and Oxford University Museum of Natural History, with plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities or enjoy local culture. After a day of exploring, check into a hotel in London.

Day 7: Spend Time in London

• Destinations: London
• Driving distance: 13.98 km, approx. 1 hour and 29 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in London, e.g., Intercontinental Hotel London - The O2
• Sightseeing: The Regent's Park, The British Museum, St James's Park, Madame Tussauds London, and Buckingham Palace
• Recommended tour: London 30 Top Sights with Fun Local Guide

Explore The Regent's Park, The British Museum, St James's Park, Madame Tussauds London, and Buckingham Palace at a relaxed pace. Make spontaneous stops for sightseeing, photography, or lunch at a family-run restaurant.

Day 8: Explore London and Greenwich

• Destinations: London and Greenwich
• Driving distance: 25.53 km, approx. 1 hour and 39 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in London, e.g., Intercontinental Hotel London - The O2
• Sightseeing: Big Ben, Greenwich Park, lastminute.com London Eye, The National Gallery, and Trafalgar Square
• Recommended tour: Changing of the Guard Guided Walking Tour in London

Continue your road trip through London and Greenwich, enjoying the flexibility to explore Big Ben, Greenwich Park, lastminute.com London Eye, The National Gallery, and Trafalgar Square and nearby points of interest.

Day 9: Wander Through London, Brentford, and Kensington

• Destinations: London, Brentford, and Kensington
• Driving distance: 32.01 km, approx. 1 hour and 42 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in London, e.g., Intercontinental Hotel London - The O2
• Sightseeing: Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Science Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Victoria and Albert Museum
• Recommended tour: Day trip to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London

Visit Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Science Museum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Victoria and Albert Museum as you navigate scenic routes. Take time to enjoy local markets, trails, or viewpoints that catch your eye.

Day 10: Uncover London

• Destinations: London
• Driving distance: 11.1 km, approx. 1 hour and 5 minutes
• Accommodation: 5-star hotel in London, e.g., Intercontinental Hotel London - The O2
• Sightseeing: Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, and London Bridge
• Recommended tour: Historical Pub Walking Tour in London With a Small Group

Continue your exploration of Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge, and London Bridge, taking your time to enjoy scenic drives or leisurely strolls that add to the adventure.

Day 11: Journey Through London, Watford, Leavesden, and Eton

• Destinations: London, Watford, Leavesden, and Eton
• Driving distance: 278.78 km, approx. 3 hours and 58 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Norwich, e.g., Maids Head Hotel
• Sightseeing: Windsor Castle, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, St George's Chapel, and Cassiobury Park
• Recommended tour: Cruise Wells Next The Sea on Historic RNLI and Dunkirk Veteran Lifeboat

Take in the highlights of Windsor Castle, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, St George's Chapel, and Cassiobury Park, with plenty of opportunities to pause for a break in charming villages or serene natural settings. Conclude your day with a stay at a different hotel in the heart of Norwich.

Day 12: Bid Farewell to Norwich

• Departure city: Norwich
• Driving distance: 2.21 km, approx. 30 minutes
• Sightseeing: Pull's Ferry

Savor an hour or two for souvenir shopping or revisiting a favorite spot before it’s time to say goodbye to Norwich. Drop off your rental car at the airport a couple of hours before departure for a seamless end to your trip.

The estimated cost for a rental car and accommodations for each night along this route is around 2070 EUR, providing a value-for-money way to experience what's beyond Colchester.

Looking for something different? Explore more road trips with a stop in Colchester for alternative itineraries, routes, and durations.

Enjoy a 5-day city break in Colchester with the perfect itinerary, designed to showcase the city’s top sights, local flavors, and hidden corners.

No need to stress over the details – we’ve curated the perfect 5-day itinerary to give you a seamless outline for your trip. Use this itinerary to capture the best of Colchester without the hassle of planning.

Day 1: Begin Your Journey in Colchester

Arrive in Colchester and start your trip with a relaxing walk through town, discovering highlights like High Woods Country Park.

Take in the local charm as you wander the streets, and as evening approaches, indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. The Centurion is a top-rated recommendation. Say 'cheers' and set the tone for an amazing vacation ahead!

Day 2: Discover Colchester's Most Iconic Attractions

Enjoy your first full day in Colchester by heading out for some must-see sightseeing. Explore around town and visit popular attractions like the iconic Balkerne Gate and Colchester Arts Centre.

Choose a walking tour to embrace a relaxed exploration. Alternatively, go for a tour by bus or bike to cover a larger part of Colchester in the same amount of time.

In the evening, head out for another lovely dinner and raise a glass to a fantastic day of exploring!

Day 5: Savor Your Final Moments in Colchester

Spend your last few hours in Colchester soaking up the charm of the city at your own pace. Stroll through favorite spots or revisit local markets before bidding farewell to the city.

For more inspiration, explore the complete selection of city breaks in Colchester, all including pre-planned itineraries you can customize to suit your style. Start with a ready-to-go Colchester travel plan and make it your own by selecting tours, accommodations, and more.

A 4-day weekend getaway in Colchester offers the perfect break from the hustle of daily life.

However, with a well-planned Colchester itinerary, you can effortlessly experience the best of the city in just a few days. Picture yourself exploring iconic landmarks, savoring local cuisine, and wandering charming neighborhoods—it's all within reach as long as you know how to plan your trip properly.

With 4 days to spend, this is the perfect Colchester weekend itinerary for your trip:

Day 1 - Arrive in Colchester

Arrive in Colchester around noon and head to your hotel for an early check-in.

• Morning: Take some time to relax and refresh after your journey, or get a head start by visiting a nearby landmark.
• Afternoon: Ease into your trip with some sightseeing, for example, visiting Colchester Arts Centre, and soak in the surroundings.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and celebrate the start of the vacation with some drinks.

Day 2 - Discover Colchester’s Famous Sights

Maximize your first full day in Colchester with sightseeing, food, and drinks.

• Morning: Visit Hollytrees Museum early to avoid crowds and enjoy the views.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and cap off the day at a local bar.

Day 3 - Immerse in the Local Culture of Colchester

No itinerary in Colchester is complete without trying the city's top local delicacies and experiencing the culture.

• Morning: Start with a traditional breakfast to fuel up for the day and then head to English Heritage - St Botolph's Priory.
• Afternoon: Explore High Woods Country Park, stopping at markets, boutiques, museums, or exhibitions along the way.
• Evening: Enjoy a dinner featuring regional specialties and finish with a night tour of the city’s illuminated landmarks.

Day 4 - Depart from Colchester

Make the most of your last few hours in Colchester before your departure.

• Morning: Grab a light breakfast at a local bakery or café and take a final stroll nearby.
• Afternoon: If you have time, do some last-minute sightseeing.

For more ideas, explore our complete selection of weekend trips to Colchester. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or want to extend the weekend, these trips all come with pre-planned but customizable Colchester itineraries, ensuring an effortless travel experience.

As you explore Colchester, you’ll find countless layers of history, art, and local charm waiting to be uncovered.

Finding the right place to stay is essential for a comfortable trip. This is why we've also gathered our top recommendations for the best places to stay in Colchester for you.

Wherever your journey takes you, we’re here to make every step memorable. From expert tips to local insights, count on us to help you experience Colchester in a way that feels truly unforgettable!