NOSTALGIA: Going Dutch in one of oldest parts of Colchester

THE Dutch Quarter is one of the oldest parts of Colchester.

Just off the High Street, it mainly includes a series of core streets including Maidenburgh Street, West Stockwell Street, East Stockwell Street, Stockwell Street, St Helen’s Lane, Northgate Street and Nunn’s Road.

It took its current name in the 16th Century when Flemish Protestant refugees fled religious persecution and made their way to north Essex. They had been defeated during a rebellion against Catholic Spain.

Many of the houses were actually built before the Dutch arrived.

Having fallen into disrepair in the early part of the 20th Century, it was the subject of a major regeneration in the 1970s.

Do you have old pictures to share? Email matt.plummer@newsquest.co.uk

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Steep - a scene from 1986Dutch - there are many original buildings in the area including this one with a triple gable shown in the 1970sArchitecture - many of the oldest buildings pre-date the area becoming known as the Dutch QuarterClassic - a view of the Dutch QuarterLines - workmen put down yellow lines in 1981Central - Maidenburgh Street in the Dutch Quarter in the late 1970sBuilding - what was once a mortuary in St Peter's Street in 1979Friends - a residents sits outside his Dutch Quarter home in 1984Friends - a residents sits outside his Dutch Quarter home in 1984