As you head out of London to Norwich, you pass through the flat lands of Essex - Chelmesford and Colchester then up through Suffolk (Ipswich) and on to Norwich.

Colchester may not beckon you as you pass it by, but it's actually an ancient Roman City and was once perhaps their most important in Britain.

Map locator - Colchester

These days, as well as interest in the town centre, there's the University of Essex set on the outskirts near to Wivenhoe.


University of Essex grounds

Also in the University ground in Wivenhoe House, a grand building dating from 1785 and now a hotel and conference centre.


Wivenhoe House

(Yes, that's my car parked outside ... course to give ...)

If you've visiting Colchester, you might like to go to the seaside at Clacton or Southend too.

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