The Roman Emporer Claudius famously rode into Colchester on an elephant in AD43. The Romans soon turned Colchester – or Camulodunum as they called it - into Britain’s first city. By 80AD it was enclosed by a 3000m-long wall made from layered septaria, mortar and tile. Today it’s the oldest surviving town wall in Britain. The best places to see it are near Balkerne Gate and in Castle Park, where long stretches survive.
