The Firstsite building - shown from the outside
  • The Firstsite building - shown from the outside
  • The Firstsite welcome area
  • Product Image
  • A Firstsite team members welcomes visitors at the Firstsite Welcome Desk.
  • Two customers browse products in the Firstsite shop

About

Relax in our light and airy café with outdoor balcony seating.

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Firstsite is open for free, for everyone.

Events

Saturday, 20th April 2024 - Sunday, 20th April 2025

Nicola Burrell Concrete DreamsDiscover Colchester-based artist Nicola Burrell's vibrant three-dimensional artworks and sculptures inspired by New Towns in Essex.
more info

Saturday, 16th November 2024 - Sunday, 20th April 2025

Halla Groves-Raines Life in PatternsExplore modern Essex and Suffolk through the faces and stories of its residents in this intimate portrait exhibition by artist Halla Groves-Raines.
more info

Saturday, 8th March 2025 - Sunday, 15th June 2025

University Centre Colchester (UCC): LegacyIn partnership with Colchester Institute, celebrate the next generation of Colchester's artists, featuring an exciting selection of multimedia works by second and third-year students from University Centre Colchester (UCC).
more info

Tuesday, 15th April 2025 - Saturday, 19th April 2025

Holiday Fun: April 2025Get making, moving, dancing and munching with Holiday Fun in Colchester this Easter break!
more info

Wednesday, 23rd April 2025 - Wednesday, 23rd April 2025

Introduction to CollageSociable, creative and fun Introduction to Collage Workshop where you'll learn new techniques, unwind and have a delicious lunch together.
more info

Friday, 25th April 2025 - Friday, 25th April 2025

Boozy Brushes – Paint in PairsJoin Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can paint in pairs!
more info

Saturday, 10th May 2025 - Saturday, 10th May 2025

Saturday, 2nd August 2025 - Saturday, 2nd August 2025

Saturday, 22nd November 2025 - Saturday, 22nd November 2025

Saturday, 28th February 2026 - Saturday, 28th February 2026

The Firstsite Art FairJoin us for an unmissable celebration of creativity, bringing together a diverse range of artists, collectors, art lovers and all who are simply curious about art.
more info

Friday, 16th May 2025 - Friday, 16th May 2025

Firstsite Fabulous FridaysStep into a world of unlimited creativity at our monthly Fabulous Fridays! Immerse yourself in a world of artistic inspiration with different workshops, art, tasty treats and films.
more info

Sunday, 18th May 2025 - Sunday, 18th May 2025

Writing the Self – Creative Writing WorkshopDelve into the relationship between writing and yourself using your personal experiences to create literary works of art.
more info

Friday, 23rd May 2025 - Friday, 23rd May 2025

Boozy Brushes – Paint Your PetJoin Sirena Hart at Firstsite for Boozy Brushes a multi-art, Drag entertainment painting class extravaganza where you can paint your pet!
more info

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Disabled access

Map & Directions

Road Directions

By bike Cycle racks are available outside Firstsite. Helmets and equipment can be left in our free cloakroom in our Welcome Area. To view the Colchester cycle map and find out more information about cycling in Colchester, visit the Cycle Colchester website. Walking Firstsite is just a short walk from Colchester’s High Street and can be reached via a walkway off Queen Street, by the Curzon Cinema, or via Lewis Gardens.

By car There is good access to Colchester from all parts of the country via the A12, A120, M25 and A14. To reach the town centre by road, exit the A12 at junction 27 and follow signs to the town centre. Firstsite offers parking for disabled visitors only; there is no on-site parking. Disabled parking bays are allocated on a first come, first served basis – please call 01206 713 700 when planning your visit so we can ensure easy access. Outside the building entrance is a drop-off point for cars and coaches and special access for disabled visitors, this is accessible from Lewis Gardens. We are a short walk from all Colchester’s town centre car parks, the nearest car parks are Priory Street and Britannia. Find out more about parking in Colchester town centre.

Public Transport Directions

By bus The High Street, Queen Street and East Hill are well served by many local bus routes with bus stops just a few minutes’ walk from Firstsite. Queen Street Stop Jc, just by the Curzon Cinema, is our nearest bus stop. This is served by bus routes 64, 64A and 65. Firstsite is also just a 10-minute walk from Colchester’s bus station on Osborne Street. For bus times, check Network Colchester’s website or phone 01206 877620 and Essex County Council’s Interactive Bus and Train map. By rail Journey time from London Liverpool Street to Colchester is approximately 50 minutes on Greater Anglia services with trains running every hour. Firstsite is a few minutes’ walk from Colchester Town Station via Queens Street. Walking from Colchester mainline station takes approx. 25 minutes or short a bus ride. Taxis are also available from outside the station. For more information or to plan your route, please visit National Rail Enquiries. Park and Ride Alight at the High Street stop, Firstsite is just 5 minutes’ walk long the High Street and onto Queen Street. Find out more about Colchester’s Park and Ride. By coach A drop-off point for coaches is situated outside the front of the building – this is accessible from Lewis Gardens. The Colchester Borough Council run car park on Sheepen Road can accommodate coaches. Accessible by Public Transport: Colchester Town station is 1 mile away.

Foyer Cafe at Firstsite

Type:Cafe

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1JH
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Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0)1206 713 700

Opening Times

* Our galleries are open every day from 10am – 5pm, but we also have many other areas to Firstsite which are open throughout the evening.

Welcome area and Box Office
Mon–Sun: 9am–9pm

Art Gallery
Mon–Sun: 10am–5pm

Firstsite Shop
Mon–Sun: 10am–5pm

Café
Mon–Sun: 10am–5pm

Box Office
You can book tickets for our cinema and events online, in person or over the phone.

In person at our Welcome Desk at the entrance (Mon–Sun: 9am-9pm)

By telephone: 01206 713 700 (Mon–Sun: 9am–9pm)

By email: Info@firstsite.uk

Annual Closures
Firstsite is closed on 25& 26 December and 1 January.

Exhibition changeovers
Firstsite offers a vibrant programme of changing exhibitions. This does mean that at times a gallery space may be closed as a new exhibition is in the process of being installed. However, the programme is planned to ensure closure of a space is kept to a minimum and that there is always an exhibition open to the public.

What's Nearby

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