Il Padrino meaning The Godfather is located in Colchester, Essex and is a wonderful Italian restaurant with mouthwatering food offering great value for money in a relaxed atmosphere, it's everything you want for great dining out. Open for lunch and dinner with head chef and owner Fausto, this 70-seat restaurant offers an intimate atmosphere over three floors, with open plan kitchen on the ground floor where the meals are prepared. Il Padrino offers an exquisite a la carte menu and there's a mouthwatering selection of fish and seafood specials on the blackboards. They also have brunch dishes, starters, pasta and rice dishes, chef's salads and drinks, and will create a menu specifically for groups, come experience the Italian divine.READ MORE

The Dog and Pheasant is a bar, restaurant and holiday cottage in the coastal village of East Mersea, Colchester dating back to 1750 now refurbished and modern. The menu is vast with excellent starter choices, and mains of steak and kidney pudding, sizzling ribs, delectable char grills, chefs curry of the day, beer battered fish and chips, lunch offerings, bar snacks and much more, and their take away menu includes burgers, baguettes and jacket potatoes. The Dog and Pheasant holiday cottage is thatched and a charming Grade 11 listed building retaining much of its original character and period features but with modern facilities ideal for families, couples and groups, set in countryside adjoining the public house and restaurant. Come for a spectacular meal and fabulous stay in beautiful surrounds.READ MORE

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

HA! HA! in Colchester, Essex and other venues offers open plan kitchens and great food and drinks, and a mouthwatering menu is guaranteed to entice and delight. Enjoy fresh, home cooked perfection with choices including spiced poached pear served with blue cheese, caramelised walnuts and roasted red onion salad, or the Moroccan spiced lamb steak, the home made fish cake and more ended with the apple and Frangipane tart, all complemented by a good wine list and premium beers. HA! HA! also offer classic drinks and cocktails, has a coffee machine and caters to Christmas parties and celebrations, come see the chefs whipping up a veritable feast.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 Britannia Gurkha Restaurant and Bar in Colchester, Essex offers freshly prepared Gurkha curry in the restaurant including choices of Fish, lamb, vegetable and dal, steamed rice, Gurkha Roti and tomato chutney, and starters include papadoms, tamarind chutney, aloodum, egg Pakora and mint chutney. There's a set menu which changes daily and they regularly host events with live entertainment once a month. The Bar area at the Britannia Gurkha Restaurant and Bar is friendly and traditional boasting a large seating area and pool table, dart boards, game machines and a juke box, plus there's a beer garden at the back and covered smoking area. They offer an excellent venue and welcome families and the bar is fully stocked with spirits and bottles and a full wine list, come enjoy.READ MORE

The Victoria Inn is a proper pub located in Colchester, Essex and offers an award winning experience in this 17th century Grade II listed building. With a traditional friendly pub atmosphere and function room, this freehouse welcomes all and they are renowned for their fine ales, perries and real cider and even have a dedicated craft ale pump. The Victoria Inn has a real fire in winter, comfortable sofa area, a sheltered courtyard and a covered converted stable block with comfortable conservatory style seating. They welcome you any night of the week to enjoy a visit to a real local pub and regularly host live music and events.READ MORE

The Lexden Crown in Colchester, Essex offers an exceptional dining experience where the tradition of hospitality dates all the way back to 1851, and the perfect blend of traditional English pub and contemporary bistro awaits in this refurbished 17th century building. Open for lunch and dinner seven days week, they have a sunny walled garden and the beautifully refurbished 17th century building is warm and welcoming and great for dining and drinking in relaxed surrounds. There are daily chefs specials and a menu that changes with the seasons offers traditional meals from fresh locally sourced produce. The Lexden Crown is available for events and private hire, and is ideal for Christenings, birthday parties, wedding receptions corporate events and wakes.READ MORE

Colchester Ghost Tours brings you the other side of Colchester, Essex with your host and guide Derek Wray, a master storyteller who tells of the blood, gore, mayhem and ghosts, and the past that other tours don't reach. Come journey with him through the dark ways of ancient Colchester on the first Thursday of every month, starting at the town hall in High Street, and go in search of the life, love, death and abominable hauntings in their own words. Colchester Ghost Tours last over two hours through Britain's oldest recorded town, and home to Britain's oldest pubs and ghosts, usually ending in a haunted public house for relaxing drinks. There are three tours to choose from, the Town Centre Tour, the Dutch Quarter Tour and the Legend of the Chattering Corpse Tour, come hear the stories, learn the secrets, the history, legends and ghosts of Colchester.READ MORE

The Red Dog Cafe and Restaurant in Colchester, Essex offers a wonderful dining experience, with the cafe separate from the restaurant in the Inworth Barn serving an extensive selection of full day breakfasts and snacks with full table service, and is historic and rustic with vaulted ceilings and exposed beams. The restaurant in the Prince of Wales freehouse boasts a contemporary a la carte menu and is most famous for it's steaks and prime beef burgers, they also have a stunning wine selection. The Red Dog Cafe and Restaurant hosts regular events and have a fabulous Christmas menu every season. They specialise in small parties and groups and will design a menu that suits from the basic buffet to the burger bar, a fantastic dining experience with delicious menu awaits.READ MORE