As mentioned in a previous post, the route of Colchester’s main streets is mainly due to the location of the gates in the town wall which was built after the revolt of AD 60/61 by the Britons against the Romans. One of these was the East Gate. It stood where High Street turns into East Hill at the east end of the retaining churchyard wall of St. James’s Church. It fell down in 1651 and was never rebuilt. The only indication that it was there to be seen today is a plaque on the pavement and an information board telling about it at the end of the churchyard wall.
However, the Roman town wall still forms part of the retaining wall at the east end of the churchyard and there may also be another tiny remnant of the gate here too. If you look to the left of the information board, there is a stone doorway in the wall, blocked by a metal gate. Inside are a set of stairs going upwards. People pass it every day without noticing it. It may just be a seldom used entrance to the churchyard. However, there is speculation that this may have once been part of the gatehouse. Have a look next time you’re passing it and decide for yourself.