United Kingdom>Colchester>A Siege in Colchester
City exploration game

A Siege in Colchester

4.46Player rating
Play at your pace · usually 55 min 3.4 km Colchester App-guided
Play in
English

The experience

About this quest

Players follow the story of a young Colchestrian, besieged in the walls of the town along with an unwelcome Royalist army. They will learn about the Siege of Colchester, the longest siege in British history, which took place against the wider backdrop of the English Civil War. This game takes players to key historic locations, where they'll learn about the Siege of Colchester and what it was like for the people that lived through it.

Is this for you?

Who it's for

Families with school-age children, local history fans and English Civil War enthusiasts follow a young Colchestrian through the siege. The route takes in St Botolph's Priory, St John's Abbey Gate and the Old Siege House on a 3.4 km loop of about an hour. If you can only head out late in the afternoon, pick another walk, because the final part may not be available after 4PM.

What makes this quest special

Highlights

    You'll visit key locations connected with the 17th-century Siege of Colchester. You will follow the story of a young person trapped in the walls.At each location you will need to solve a challenge before you can move on to the next one.

From people who played this quest

Good times. In their words.

4.46 / 5

13 player ratings

Selected player reviews. Original words and ratings.

From your phone to the streets

A walk that turns into an adventure.

  1. 1

    Open the app. You’re on your way.

    Choose your pass, then open your quest in the Questo app. It guides you from the starting point.

  2. 2

    Get outside. Follow your curiosity.

    Discover real places and their stories on foot. Stop for a coffee or a photo, then pick up where you left off.

  3. 3

    Crack a clue. Share a little victory.

    Look around for answers, solve puzzles and enjoy the “we got it!” moments.

CHOOSE YOUR PASS

How many are playing?

Get this quest
No booking slot · play any dayFull refund until you start playing
Players exploring the city together

BRING YOUR WHOLE GROUP

One city. Rival teams. Great stories together.

A school trip, a team day or friends out together. Turn your next outing into a little friendly competition.

Team vs team

Use your own phones and join a team. Any teammate’s answer advances everyone. Beat the other teams on the leaderboard.

Everyone for themselves

One player per phone. Solve clues on your own and race for the top spot on the final leaderboard.

Can a team share one phone?

Yes. Play together on one phone per team, or use your own phones and join the same team in the app. We recommend your own phones so everyone can take part.

Your walk, at a glance

Colchester

A · Start

Church St, Colchester CO1 1NF, UK

B · Finish

43 High St, Colchester CO1 1DJ, UK

Get directions to the start

Start and finish only. Discover the stops as you play.

The people behind the adventure

Created by Eastern Quest.

A route that brings places and playful storytelling together.

Made by Eastern Quest

WHAT MAKES A QUEST DIFFERENT

Your adventure, with a playful twist.

1 / 4

Experience

This quest
Discover places through stories and clues in the app
Guided walking tour
Hear stories and ask a guide questions
2 / 4

Pace

This quest
Pause for a photo, a café or a longer look
Guided walking tour
Usually follows the guide’s schedule
3 / 4

Company

This quest
Explore with your own people or on your own
Guided walking tour
Private and shared group tours are available
4 / 4

Guidance

This quest
Directions and challenges in the Questo app
Guided walking tour
Live interpretation from a guide

Features and terms vary by experience. Check the details before booking.

Good to know before you play

  • The last part of the game might not be available after 4PM.
  • Ensure your phone is fully charged or bring along your trusty power bank
  • Family friendly

A little clarity before you go

Frequently asked questions

Does this quest cover the Battle of Colchester?
It tells the story of the Siege of Colchester, the longest siege in British history, which took place during the English Civil War. You follow a young Colchestrian trapped inside the town walls with an unwelcome Royalist army, and one of the stops is the site of the Battle of Headgate.
Which places in Colchester will we see on the route?
The walk passes the Red Lion Hotel, the Obelisk, Wetzlar Garden on the former Fryar's Yard, the site of the former East Gate, East Street Bridge and the Old Siege House, St Botolph's Priory, St John's Abbey Gate and the site of the Battle of Headgate.
Where does it start and how long does it take?
It starts and finishes at St Mary's Church, now the Colchester Arts Centre, so you end up back where you began. The loop covers 3.4 km and takes about an hour of walking and puzzle solving, a little longer if you stop along the way.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, it is tagged family friendly and works best for school-age children, who can help solve puzzles based on the buildings and streets in front of them while hearing what life was like for people living through the siege. Younger children may find the 3.4 km distance long.
Do we need to book a start time, and can we pause?
There is no time slot to book. Start whenever suits you and pause to continue later. Plan to begin well before late afternoon, as the last part of the game might not be available after 4PM, and bring a fully charged phone or a power bank.

HISTORY AND CULTURE IN COLCHESTER

A history-led way to explore Colchester

A Siege in Colchester is for visitors who want more context than a casual walk, but more freedom than a scheduled guided tour. The quest uses a route through Colchester to connect clues, places and stories.

The route starts at St Mary's Church (Colchester Arts Centre) and finishes at Red Lion Hotel over 3.4 km, with 10 challenge locations. Typical duration: 55 min; 3.4 km walking route; 10 challenge locations

Choose this for active, private discovery at your pace. Choose a guided historical tour or museum when expert live interpretation or curated exhibits matter more. Playable languages: English.

Your next story starts outside.

Your next adventure is an app away.

Get the Questo app. Pick a quest, follow the clues and make the city your playground.

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