If Walls Could Talk

If the Roman walls of Colchester could talk, what tales they’d tell. Petra Hornsby reveals what secrets there are to discover and what draws people to the oldest recorded town in England

- Petra Hornsby

ESSEX IS A COUNTY rich in attractions to entice visitors. From castles to keeps, valleys and viaducts, Roman remains and rambling nature reserves – it seems the list is endless. One of the undoubted highlights is Colchester, which has its own special timeline that stretches back some 2,000 years and numerous excavations and historic discoveries have helped piece together an historical picture of early dwellers from the Neolithic and Bronze ages through to the Roman, Saxon and Norman occupants of the town.

The Romans invaded Britain in 43AD and built a temple in Colchester which later became the site of the town’s famous Norman castle, built by William the Conqueror after the Normans invaded in 1066. The Normans established a garrison in the town and Colchester remains a military town with regiments serving in all major conflicts from the Crimean War through to taking tours in Afghanistan.

Along the northern edge of Castle Park runs a section of solid wall built by the Romans following an attack carried out by Boudica and her tribe, the Iceni. The original wall was six metres high and measured at least 2,800 metres long. It remains visible in many parts of the town, especially in Vineyard Street, Priory Street and Balkerne Gate.

The Romans also left the remains of the only known Roman Circus in Britain, uncovered in 2005 during the redevelopment of the Victorian army barracks. The Roman Circus Centre, overseen by the Colchester Archaeological Trust, offers a fascinating insight into sport and entertainment from a very different age.