Walking The Walls

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

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.