Walking The Walls
Essex Life|December 2017

Elizabeth Lee Reynolds takes a journey through Colchester’s past and explores how landmarks of today are demarcations of some of our country’s most famous moments in history.

Elizabeth Lee Reynolds
Walking The Walls

THE FIRST GLIMPSE many visitors to Colchester get of the Roman walls is a mismatch of bricks from different eras, overlooked by peeling billboard signs for fast food. Built around this south-facing piece of the walls is a concrete car park and the top is fortified with an array of national shopping chains over which streams of town-goers wander to and fro, few considering the historic foundations laid into the brick they walk on.

Colchester is proud to call itself the oldest town in Britain. It stood as the capital of Roman Britain for at least a decade before being destroyed by Boudicca in 61AD and also served as a seat of power for the ancient Britons, now known as the Celts, as early as 20BC. Although her rebellion was eventually defeated, Boudicca’s legacy was firmly built into the history of Colchester with the erection of the Roman walls to protect against similar raids in the future. Staggeringly, today much of the original structure, which once covered almost 3km, still stands.

Following the walls takes you on a simple circular track around the outskirts of the town centre. The council occasionally runs guided walks, but it’s easy enough to lead your own, either by following the well-maintained information boards erected by the dedicated Friends of Colchester Roman Wall, or with a helpful leaflet which are readily available.

Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Essex Life.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición December 2017 de Essex Life.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE ESSEX LIFEVer todo
The rise of maskne
Essex Life

The rise of maskne

With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2020
The forgotten lady
Essex Life

The forgotten lady

Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2020
Stride out in the Sampfords
Essex Life

Stride out in the Sampfords

This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again

time-read
3 minutos  |
November 2020
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
Essex Life

MUCH TO TALK ABOUT

As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera

time-read
4 minutos  |
November 2020
LIFE and SOUL
Essex Life

LIFE and SOUL

Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2020
Lest we forget
Essex Life

Lest we forget

Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost

time-read
5 minutos  |
November 2020
Lakeside Magic
Essex Life

Lakeside Magic

The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2020
Keep on running
Essex Life

Keep on running

BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2020
Cheers!
Essex Life

Cheers!

Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?

time-read
7 minutos  |
November 2020
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Essex Life

A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden

Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town

time-read
2 minutos  |
November 2020