Newest and oldest city in England at the same time
Town Profile
Colchester is a historic city in Essex, England, recognized as Britain's oldest recorded town and its first Roman capital. Located 50 miles northeast of London, it combines a rich 2,000-year heritage with a vibrant, modern population of over 200,000 residents.
Originally named Camulodunum, it served as the initial capital of Roman Britain. It features the oldest and longest surviving Roman wall in the country.
Long classified as a town, Colchester was officially granted city status in 2022 during Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. It hosts the primary campus for the University of Essex and serves as a major military base for the British Army's 16 Air Assault Brigade.