Private Tour
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Choose from 4 tours.
It’s your City Tour
Ghost and Witches Tour
Roman Tour
Victorian Tour
Once booked you will be contacted to confirm which tour and what time you would like the tour.
Colchester, Britain’s first City and now its newest.
Discover 2000 years of history and see the legacy the Romans, Saxons, Norman’s and others left on this city.
Led by a fully trained Colchester Council recognized Guide and full member of The Colchester Tourist Guide Association (CTGA).
Discover why they came, why they stayed and what they have left us.
With access to city landmarks including a Roman theatre.
Learn about the remarkable history of Britain's first City, given in an entertaining and informative style.
Tours available are:
Colchester City Tour
Ghost and Witches Tour
Roman Colchester Tour
Victorian Colchester Tour
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Each tour is given in an entertaining and informative manner.
Parking Fees
Colchester
Britain's first City comes its newest, another milestone of in the 2000 year history of Colchester. Discover how the industrial revolution changed the face of Colchester. From the opportunity and wealth it gave to some, and the abject poverty it gave to others. See ‘Jumbo’ the largest water tower in Britain, the Town Hall in all its splendor, how the Victorians entertained themselves in the pubs and theatres. And marvel at the feats of engineering around the City. Discover their legacy and how it impacts us today.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
263 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
947ivetaj,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
I highly recommend anyone who would like to visit Cholchester and learn more about its history to book a tour with Ray. His professionalism and historical knowledge made a great impression on all of us and left us with a lot of new knowledge. Thank you for your time and for a great experience!
Minty1971,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Thoroughly enjoyed the evening tour with Ray. He makes the tour so much fun. His knowledge, deliverance and enthusiasm are infectious. My 80 year old mother joined us on the tour and the pace was no issue for her. You don’t walk miles, it’s walk, then stop throughout with a couple of stops with seating. The tour ended in a building which had approximately 15 steps. We loved the tour and will definitely book with Ray for more of his tours.
charlil514,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Had an amazing time, we learnt so much, thank you! Defiantly recommend! Ray was great and very knowledgeable. Was a great experience
LauraC9278,
Oct 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
A great few hours learning the history of Colchester right through Roman times up til the present day! Ray was so knowledgeable & fun! Throughly recommended!
Laura C,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
A walking tour around Colchester learning the origins of the city from Roman times right up to the Victorian era! Ray was so knowledgable & made the experience SO much fun too! I actually learnt so much from the tour & thoroughly enjoyed it!
chris1purse,
Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Excellent tour of Colchester. So much history and beautiful buildings. Ray led very interesting tour with lots of history
687glynm,
Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Fantastic tour with Ray, we are local but wanted to know a bit more about the city so booked Ray to take us round with a group of friends, very interesting and we all learned a lot, Thanks Ray we had a great time Recommended, Thank you !

Jeanette A,
Sep 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
Thoroughly enjoyed our historical tour of Colchester today with Ray. Interesting, knowledgeable and entertaining. Highly recommend!
CharlesT345,
Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Ray is was excellent , the tour was very informative and you kept it interesting with a light touch. We learnt so much. Thanks
Resort38956317613,
Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
Amazing tour, not really a history enthusiast but ray brought colchester history it to life and related it to so much of what we know today ! Learnt so much and will never see the city in the same way again. Highly recommend.
Operated by Colchester History Tours