User:Stortford/Colchester
City in Essex, England / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Colchester (/ˈkoʊltʃɛstər/ ⓘ[3] KOHL-cheh-stər) is a city and local government district in Essex, England.[4] The city boundaries extend beyond the built-up area, and also include the towns of West Mersea and Wivenhoe and the surrounding rural areas stretching from Dedham Vale on the Suffolk border in the north to Mersea Island in the Colne Estuary in the south. It had a population of 192,715 in 2021,[1] of which 130,245 lived in the main built-up area.[2] The demonym is Colcestrian.[5]
Colchester | |
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City and district | |
Clockwise from top left: Colchester Castle; Town Hall; the visual arts centre; River Colne at Wivenhoe; St Botolph's Priory; and St Botolph's Church. | |
Location within Essex | |
Population | 192,715 (District, 2021)[1] 130,245 (Built-up area, 2021)[2] |
Founded | 1st century BC |
OS grid reference | TL998254 |
• London | 56 mi (90 km) SW |
District |
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Shire county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | COLCHESTER |
Postcode district | CO1–7 |
Dialling code | 01206 |
Police | Essex |
Fire | Essex |
Ambulance | East of England |
UK Parliament | |
Website | www |
51.8917°N 0.903°E / 51.8917; 0.903 |
Colchester occupies the site of Camulodunum, the first major city in Roman Britain and its first capital. Colchester therefore claims to have been Britain's first city, although formal city status was only conferred on it in 2022.[6][7] It has been an important military base since the Roman era, with Colchester Garrison currently housing the 16th Air Assault Brigade.
On the River Colne,[8] Colchester is 50 miles (80 kilometres) northeast of London. It is connected to London by the A12 road and the Great Eastern Main Line railway.[9] Colchester is less than 30 miles (50 km) from London Stansted Airport and 20 miles (30 km) from the port of Harwich.
Attractions in and around the city include St Botolph's Priory, Colchester Zoo, and several art galleries. Colchester Castle was constructed in the eleventh century on earlier Roman foundations; it now contains a museum. The main campus of the University of Essex is at Wivenhoe Park. Local government is the responsibility of Colchester City Council and Essex County Council.