Once regarded as the capital of Roman Britain, the town of Colchester has witnessed many events and seen many changes during its long history. This book describes the town's history from early Celtic origins and Roman settlement, through civil war and plague, Victorian enterprise and social reform, to the growth of industry and modern Colchester during the twentieth century. Despite the tremendous amount of new building work undertaken in the town, there remains an interesting mix of old and new.

The book includes a walking tour of the town that starts and finishes at the War Memorial and guides the reader to places of historical interest in and around the town centre. It can be referred to independently of the main text of the book and enables both resident and visitor alike to embark on a journey into Colchester's past through its existing streets and buildings.