Colchester is a town in Essex, in the east of England, roughly 54 miles from London and on the Great Eastern Main Line. The oldest recorded Roman town in England, Colchester is steeped in historical sights from throughout the ages with its medieval landmarks attracting thousands of visitors every year and is also a popular base for tourists wanting to explore Constable country in nearby Dedham Vale. The town centre offers great shopping and a wide range of eateries to suit any palate and at night comes alive with clubs, theatres, music and open-air café culture. Popular attractions within Colchester include Colchester Castle Museum which is Europe's largest Norman keep, Hollytrees Museum which looks into life in Colchester over the past 300 years and the Natural History Museum.