Key Takeaways
The main post office in Colchester is located inside WHSmith at 19 Culver Walk, lion walk shopping centre, with the postcode CO1 1DF.
Colchester Town Post Office opens at 09:00 and closes at 17:30, Monday to Saturday, offering postal, banking, passport and travel money services.
The colchester royal mail delivery office at Moorside, CO1 2GB, is a separate location handling missed parcels and local sorting - it is not the same as the town-centre post office branch.
Colchester has several Post Office branches offering standard services across the town for residents, students and businesses.
Always bring photo ID and check the official branch finder for live hours before visiting.
Introduction to Post Office Colchester Town
The post office colchester town branch is the primary town-centre location for postal and financial services in colchester, essex. Situated inside the central shopping area rather than at the royal mail sorting hub on Moorside, this branch serves local residents, University of Essex students, city-centre workers and small businesses who need everyday counter services.
This guide covers everything you need for a smooth visit - from the exact address and opening hours to the difference between the Post Office counter and the Colchester Delivery Office at Moorside, CO1 2GB.
Branch Location & Contact Details
The main Post Office in Colchester is located in the lion walk shopping centre, inside WHSmith at 19 Culver Walk, Colchester, CO1 1DF. The branch moved here from its former North Hill address as part of a network modernisation programme.
How to find it:
From Colchester Town railway station, walk north along St Botolph's Street towards the High Street - approximately 8–10 minutes on foot.
From Head Street (near the Odeon Cinema), walk down Culver Street, turn right in Trinity Square, and look for the post office logo at the WHSmith entrance on your left.
By bus, routes S1 and 87 stop near Head Street, a short walk from the branch.
Contact: Call 0345 722 3344 (standard Post Office customer line) or search "Colchester" on the official Post Office branch finder to check live details.
Parking: Lion Walk Shopping Centre is served by several nearby town-centre car parks. Check Colchester Borough Council's parking pages for tariffs and time limits.
Opening Times & Best Times to Visit
Colchester post office opens at 09:00 and closes at 17:30. These hours apply uniformly across weekdays and Saturday.
Day | Post Office (Town Centre) | Delivery Office (Moorside) |
|---|---|---|
Monday–Friday | 09:00–17:30 | 08:00–10:00 & 16:00–18:00 |
Saturday | 09:00–17:30 | 08:00–12:00 |
Sunday | Closed | Closed |
Colchester post office is open Monday to Saturday, but closed on Sundays and most Bank Holidays. Seasonal hours around Christmas and Easter may vary - confirm on the official branch page before travelling.
Quieter visit windows: Mid-morning (around 10:30) and mid-afternoon (14:00–15:00) on weekdays tend to have shorter queues. Avoid the first few days of each month when pension payments increase footfall, and steer clear of Saturday mornings if possible.
Services Available at Colchester Town Post Office
The Post Office provides a full range of postal services at this branch, along with financial and identity services that go well beyond stamps and letters.
Mail & parcels:
First and Second Class post, Signed For, Special Delivery, Parcelforce Express
Mailing and courier services for domestic and international destinations
Post & Go self-service kiosks for quick stamp purchases
Banking & payments:
Post offices allow customers to withdraw cash and deposit cheques for most major UK banks
Colchester post offices provide personal and business banking services
Bill payments, mobile top-ups, and Postal Orders
Identity & documents:
Colchester post offices handle passport applications and bill payments - both Paper and Digital Check & Send are available (£16 above HMPO fees)
DVLA photocard renewals and document certification
Identity verification services
Travel:
Colchester post offices offer travel money services
Customers can buy foreign currency and set up travel insurance at post offices
Sending Mail & Parcels from Colchester Town
Post offices allow for the purchase of postage stamps and processing of returns at the counter or via Post & Go machines. Staff can help you choose between Royal Mail 1st Class, 2nd Class, Tracked or Special Delivery based on urgency and value.
Before you post:
Use strong packaging and clear address labels. For international items, complete customs declaration forms (CN22 or CN23) with accurate value and contents descriptions.
Check royal mail prohibited items lists - aerosols, lithium batteries and flammable liquids cannot be posted.
Same-day dispatch depends on local collection times, which vary. Ask at the counter or check the nearest postbox plate for last collection.
Heavier or business-volume senders may benefit from colchester royal mail collection services, but everyday customers can handle everything at the town-centre counter.
Collecting Mail & Using Royal Mail in Colchester
Collections for undelivered items are handled at royal mail delivery offices, not standard Post Office counters. If you receive a "Something for you" card, check the address printed on it - in most cases, it will direct you to the Colchester Delivery Office located on Moorside, Essex (CO1 2GB).
Colchester Delivery Office hours:
The office operates from 08:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 18:00 on weekdays
Colchester delivery office is open Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00
Mail is accepted at Colchester Delivery Office until 18:00
Other nearby Royal Mail locations include the Tiptree Delivery Office at 1A Church Road, Colchester, CO5 0LD, which serves rural and village addresses south of the town. Community branches like Stoke By Nayland Post Office (Park Street, CO6 4SE) provide basic posting services for surrounding villages.
Always bring photo ID and proof of address when collecting parcels.
Accessibility, Facilities & Queuing
The WHSmith branch inside lion walk shopping centre offers step-free access through the shopping centre entrance, making it suitable for wheelchair users and pushchairs. The indoor location means shelter from weather and proximity to other shops and cafés.
What to expect inside:
Service desks with staff assistance for forms and applications
Self-service Post & Go kiosks for quick transactions
Accessibility facilities listed on the branch finder, likely including hearing loop support
Allow extra time for complex tasks like passport Check & Send or large international parcels, especially if visiting from surrounding villages like Stoke By Nayland or Tiptree.
Alternatives & Nearby Post Office Branches
If Colchester Town Post Office is busy or closed, alternatives across the town include:
Branch | Address | Saturday Hours |
|---|---|---|
Shrub End Post Office | 192 Shrub End Road, CO3 4RZ | 09:00–12:30 |
St John's Post Office | 291 Ipswich Road, Colchester | Extended early hours |
Harwich Road Post Office | 185 Harwich Road, Colchester | 09:00–17:30 |
Colchester has several Post Office branches offering standard services, so use the official branch finder to search by postcode or street name. Remember that retail Post Office branches and Royal Mail delivery offices serve different functions - missed parcel collection is typically restricted to the delivery office at Moorside.
FAQ – Post Office Colchester Town
Is Colchester Town Post Office the same as the Colchester Royal Mail delivery office at Moorside?
No. Colchester Town Post Office is a town-centre retail counter inside WHSmith at lion walk shopping centre, offering posting, banking and identity services. The Royal Mail delivery office at Moorside, CO1 2GB, is a separate facility that handles local mail sorting, delivery operations and most missed-parcel collections. They have different addresses, different hours and different functions.
Can I collect a “Something for you” parcel at Colchester Town Post Office?
In most cases, no. Royal Mail "Something for you" cards in the colchester area typically direct you to the Moorside delivery office. Always check the collection address printed on your card before travelling, and bring photo ID plus proof of address.
Does Colchester Town Post Office offer passport or identity services?
Yes. This branch offers both Paper and Digital Check & Send for passport applications, along with document certification and identity verification. The service costs £16 on top of standard HMPO fees. Confirm availability on the official Post Office branch page before your visit.
Where can I park when visiting Colchester Town Post Office?
Several public car parks serve the town centre near lion walk shopping centre. Check Colchester Borough Council's parking information for names, tariffs and time limits. Short-stay options are generally best for a quick Post Office visit.
What should I bring when sending or collecting important items?
Bring photo ID (driving licence or passport) and proof of address for collections. For international parcels, have completed customs forms, a full recipient address, and a value declaration ready. For passport applications, bring your old passport, correctly formatted photos, and any supporting legal documents such as name-change certificates.
