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

Compuccino Internet Cafe in Colchester, Essex is open 7 days a week serving a range of teas, coffees and soft drinks with a fresh food including sandwiches, toasties and jacket potatoes. This true internet cafe offers internet access with fourteen internet access terminals available as well as access points for laptops in a spaciously laid out setting, plus a scanner is available and black and white printing. Compuccino Internet Cafe has comfortable seating for up to 70 people, and their daily specials include shepherds pie, meat and potato pie or steak and kidney pie, all served with vegetables or chips, and they have milkshakes in a variety of flavours as well as lattes, mochas and cappuccinos. They cater to children's parties on request as well as family groups. READ MORE

Sorano's Ristorante in Thorrington, Colchester, Essex brings you the Italian divine with tradition and passion and you will always feel at home at this family run Italian restaurant and experience attentive service. The menu offers hot and cold starter choices exquisite fish, pasta and risotto and side dishes, and they are open for breakfast from English to other choices, as well as lunch and dinner and have a bambini menu, and leave space for mouthwatering desserts. Sorano's Ristorante regularly host not to be missed events and come highly recommended, come for a fabulous dining experience of Italian delights.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

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 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 Minories Galleries in Colchester, Essex is located in an A listed Georgian building, and is a public contemporary art gallery run by the Colchester School of Art providing contemporary art and design. With a proud history dating back to 1885, they year the orginal art school was founded, today their focus is on developing and environment where the imagination can flourish in studios and workshops. The Minories Galleries showcases exhibitions and hosts events, and offer workshop facilities in ceramics, textiles, printmaking, photographic darkrooms, fashion construction, Mac suites, and wood, metal and plastics, and each course has it's own dedicated studio space.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

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 Riverside Hotel, Colchester is housed in a 17th century building on the banks of the River Colne, just 5 minutes walk from the heart of Colchester, England's oldest recorded town. With 18 en-suite rooms and choices of single, twin, double and family all are welcome and there's free parking and a complementary English breakfast for all guests. The Riverside Hotel, Colchester has a bar and lounge area, 24 hour reception, free WIFI in public areas and is ideally located close the town's main train station. Come for a fabulous stay in this Grade 2 listed building built all the way back in 1604, and to this day still retaining many original period features.READ MORE