Colchester Essex Colchester, situated in the northeast corner of Essex, has the proud claim to fame of being the oldest recorded town in Britain. It is well documented that the town was indeed founded by Roman emperor Claudius back in AD 49. What’s more it was the Roman capital of Britain before London and evidence of its Roman past is still visible today in the form of its old boundary walls. Even the present day Colchester Castle, which is the largest surviving Norman keep ever constructed, is built on the remains of an ancient Roman temple. As well as possessing a fascinating past Colchester is every bit a modern town, with convenient transport links from the capital making it a convenient place for a day out from the city. Once in Colchester you can enjoy visiting one of the many museums, galleries or restaurants, before discovering some of the picturesque surrounding countryside that the area has to offer. It will soon be apparent to you why Colchester is referred to as the cultural capital of Essex.