When we learned that Colchester is the oldest recorded settlement in Britain, we decided that we had to go there.

On further reading we discovered that there have actually been people living here since the Iron age, but in AD 43 the Romans officially made it the first capital city in Britain. Unfortunately this status didn't last for long – Camulodunum, as it was known then, was destroyed by Queen Boudica in AD 61, and Londinium (London) became capital.

Some relics from the Roman days can still be seen, including the Roman wall, circus and theatre. Colchester Castle also still stands, built in the 11th century on the foundations of a former Roman temple (see first three photos). 

As our last stop for the day we didn't stay long, but we did see the castle and some other interesting buildings. We would like to return to Colchester and explore more sometime, as well as Sutton Hoo – the 1,300 year old Anglo Saxon ship excavated nearby which featured in the movie The Dig.