Firstsite offers contemporary visual arts in Colchester, Essex and their programme includes projects, exhibitions and publications by established and emerging artists, they also offer extensive learning opportunities and artists' support initiatives. They have since 1994 supported and invested in artists across the Eastern region, and now have a spectacular new building with front portico rising to 11 metres high comprising exhibition space, gallery spaces, a shop selling creative gifts, and a restaurant all lit throughout with natural light. Firstsite also has a state of the art auditorium which comfortable seats 190 people, and the venue is available for hire and is ideal for conferences, presentations, and product launches as well as celebrations, club and society meetings and private parties with a stunning backdrop.READ MORE

The Brook Red Lion Hotel in Colchester, Essex welcomes you to a historical and magical stay in this Grade 1 listed building dating all the way back to 1465, and is one of the oldest inns in England, right in the centre of town. Enjoy magnificent Tudor features and exposed wooden beams, warm red and gold fabrics and 3-star luxury in the 24 individually furnished rooms with all the amenities of a modern hotel. The Red Lion Brasserie in the unique setting of this medieval hotel offers exquisite dining choices with fine wines for lunch and dinner with many original features and a special atmosphere. The Brook Red Lion Hotel also boasts function and event rooms with natural daylight, free WIFI and LCD projectors and more, and is the perfect venue wedding receptions, banquets, business meetings and celebrations in this spectacular Tudor hotel.READ MORE

The Holistic Retreat in Assington between Colchester and Sudbury, Essex is a beauty centre on a beautiful farm offering holistic and beauty therapies to create a balance between the mind, body and spirit. Come to the relaxing tranquil surrounds, and surrender yourself to a spa like experience with a range of massage therapies, beauty therapies and pamper packages. Holistic therapies at the Holistic Retreat include reflexology, Reiki healing, crystal healing, nutritional therapy, baby massages and meditation classes and beauty treatments include a wide range of facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures, spray tanning, make up and eyebrow and eyelash treatments. Friendly therapists await you and ensure a blissful sense of relaxation and healing.READ MORE

Greyfriars Colchester offers luxurious rooms and suites to the discerning in a beautiful building dating all the way back to the 18th Century, and once a grand private family house, after extensive refurbishment, it is today the perfect venue for dining, socialising and celebrating. Accommodation options include superbly appointed rooms and suites including Grand Luxe Signature suites, deluxe suites and junior suites with 5-star standards. They offer dining at the Cloisters, the Rose Room or the Salon with excellent menus and a wide range of options from Breakfast through lunch, afternoon tea and dinner and a superb Sunday lunch. The Baroque Bar, Venetian LOunge and Library lounge are all in the original old quarters of Greyfriars offering an incredible atmosphere of old world charm with solid woods and leather, and there's a large terrace perfect for good weather days. Greyfriars Colchester is a luxurious and elegant venue for special occasions from large to small with high standards of service and exquisite cuisine, and they cater to corporate events and meetings.READ MORE

The George Hotel Colchester is a 500 year old coaching inn that resonates with history in the heart of historic Colchester, Essex right on the high street, close to Colchester Castle. Boasting choices of executive, superior family, classic double, twin, single and mini double room choices, all individually decorated to a high standard, a fabulous stay awaits both the leisure and business guest. There's a stylish lounge bar with original features, and a Courtyard Brasserie serving English dishes and regional specialties by talented chefs for a memorable dining experience. The George Hotel Colchester is also the perfect venue and setting for private dining and functions in bespoke function rooms and they cater to parties, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, Bar Mitzvahs and other special occasions, complete with banqueting and events coordinator. READ MORE

The Old New Inn Pub simply known as the Pub in Colchester, Essex is a traditional English local at the heart of the community welcoming all. There's a secluded beer garden for sunny days and they have a lounge bar which is the quieter of the two bars with open log fire and comfy seating and the old fashioned public bar with ever changing selection of real ales boasts a pool table, darts and Sky sports and is a popular meeting place. The food menu is available 7 days a week with burger choices, doorstep sandwiches, casserole of the day breaded scampi and chips, chili con carne and more and there's a traditional Sunday Lunch. The Old New Inn Pub has a function room which is free to hire available for parties of up to 25 with big screen TV and food by chef Myles.READ MORE

The Headgate Theatre is the home of amateur theatre in Colchester, Essex with a variety of spaces and is a very adaptable multi purpose building as they say, with disability access and excellent facilities. There auditorium is perfect as a performing space or meetings and conferences, and the Hervey Benham Rehearsal Studio is ideal for activities including dance classes and rehearsals and appeals to actors, musicians and dancers, there's also the Bar Lounge or kitchen tearoom area available for hire or as a smaller venue. The Headgate Theatre an excellent calendar of events including drama, musicals, plays and more, and they off Kids acting and theatre skills programmes and The Stephanie Cook School of dance offers classes in ballet, tap, modern and contemporary. It's all here and more, come see what's on at the Headgate Theatre.READ MORE

The Colchester Arts Centre in Colchester, Essex is housed in the little church with a big history and attitude, stunning historic architecture of St Mary's Church dating back over 1000 years and more. This venue plays host to some of the best talent, the newest and most modern choreographers, comedians, cool DJ's, a Farmer's Market and more. Their passion is to bring great bands and comics to Colchester, and they are all about fresh ideas, new ads, new art forms and vibrant new ways of working as they say. The Colchester Arts Centre has an excellent and varied calendar of events, and the venue is available for hire, the space is ideal for birthday parties, Barmitzvahs, promotions, celebrations, live bands and so much more, and the venue is available for hire by outside promoters, so if you're thinking of putting on your own gig, contact them.READ MORE

The Mercury Theatre of Colchester, Essex is one of the leading performing arts and producing theatres in the country, and their aim is to put theatre at the heart of the community. The main theatre and studio theatre combined reach and audience of 586 people, and they do on-site productions and their workshop facilities create sets, props and costumes for in-house productions and touring companies, this welcoming theatre also offers award winning customer service, and they nurture new talent in all areas of theatre. The Mercury Theatre is also available for venue hire, and they offer a comfortable and versatile space ideal for meetings, conferences, drink receptions and events, and spaces for hire include the main theatre and studio theatre, the bar and digby gallery. Come view the exceptional quality of the theatre's homegrown work by a talented team, or get involved.READ MORE

The Foundry Arms in Colchester, Essex is a family friendly freehouse with a warm welcome, originally a beer house, the name is associated with the foundry workers from days of old. This is a great venue for families with kids, and there's a beer garden, comfortable sofas and the bar in a welcoming environment for a relaxing drink with family and friends. The Foundry Arms landlord and lady have a dream to restore the venue to it's former glory and look forward to meeting you soon. READ MORE