On the southern edge of the town, beyond St Botolph's Priory, lie the foundations of the only known Roman chariot-racing arena in Britain. The starting gates, central spine, and curving end of the track are visible as low brick outlines set into the grass of the modern recreation ground; an information centre run by Colchester Archaeological Trust sits at the eastern end and explains what was there.
The circus was 450 metres long and could hold 8,000 spectators — a major piece of civic Roman engineering for a town on the empire's northern frontier. Visits are best in summer when the centre is staffed and reconstructions are on display; the site itself is free to walk over year-round.