Colchester Museums

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Colchester Museums Discover history and nature at Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum, and the Natural History Museum.

🌸 This tiny flower once crowned a Roman shrine.Nearly 2,000 years ago, this pipeclay fragment formed part of an aedicula...
19/10/2026

🌸 This tiny flower once crowned a Roman shrine.

Nearly 2,000 years ago, this pipeclay fragment formed part of an aedicula, a miniature shrine used to display votive figures of gods and goddesses. Small enough for a home, yet made with remarkable care, it shows a decorative rosette that has survived long after the rest of the object was broken.

It is a reminder that faith was woven into everyday life in Roman Britain, and that even the smallest objects could hold great meaning.

You can discover more Roman stories at Colchester Castle, in the heart of what was once the capital of Roman Britain.

Did you see the news? Colchester Castle has been named one of the spookiest locations in Essex, helping Essex claim the ...
18/10/2026

Did you see the news? Colchester Castle has been named one of the spookiest locations in Essex, helping Essex claim the top spot as the UK's spookiest county!

If that has put you in the mood for something eerie, we have plenty coming up at the Castle:

🏰 Dark Castle Tours | 22 & 28 October
🎙️ Three Ravens Live | 13 November
👻 Wednesbury Paranormal Investigation | 21-22 November

Whether you're interested in local legends, ghost stories or paranormal investigation, there's something waiting in the shadows...

Book now: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events

🌕 Museum of the Moon leaves Colchester Castle at the end of this month.If you're planning a visit, take a look at One Mo...
17/10/2026

🌕 Museum of the Moon leaves Colchester Castle at the end of this month.

If you're planning a visit, take a look at One Moon, Many Voices: our free collection of moon stories from around the world. Inside you'll find tales from Ancient Egypt, China, Ireland, Aotearoa New Zealand, Japan and many more cultures, showing how people have explained and celebrated the Moon across generations.

It's a great way to add a little extra context to your visit, whether you're a teacher, a family, or simply fascinated by the night sky.

Download it here: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/learn/teacher-resources

🦔🍂 Time to get cosy at Mini Museum Explorers!Join us at the Natural History Museum on 20 October as we explore the wonde...
16/10/2026

🦔🍂 Time to get cosy at Mini Museum Explorers!

Join us at the Natural History Museum on 20 October as we explore the wonderful world of hibernation. Through stories, crafts, counting games and even den building, little explorers will discover why some animals sleep through the colder months.

Perfect for children aged 2½ to 5 and their grown-ups, these relaxed sessions are all about learning through play and exploring together.

🕙 10am or 11.15am
🎟️ £3 per child
📍 Natural History Museum

The answer to this morning's challenge was Spring Lane in Lexden.Peter Wright took this photograph in 1959 for a Colch...
15/10/2026

The answer to this morning's challenge was Spring Lane in Lexden.

Peter Wright took this photograph in 1959 for a Colchester and District Camera Club exhibition. More than 65 years later, the view is still easy to recognise. The bend in the road is the same, several of the buildings remain, and the brick boundary walls still shape the lane.

Spring Lane sits in one of Colchester's oldest suburbs. Lexden developed as a popular residential area during the 19th century, and many of the cottages and houses around the lane date from that period. The road has changed over the years, with modern markings, different boundary treatments and much more planting, but the character of the lane has survived.

Well done to everyone who guessed correctly this morning. If you have memories of Spring Lane or growing up in Lexden, we'd love to hear them.

This week's takes us back to 1959 with this striking photograph by Peter Wright, originally mounted for a Colchester a...
15/10/2026

This week's takes us back to 1959 with this striking photograph by Peter Wright, originally mounted for a Colchester and District Camera Club exhibition.

A quiet lane, a row of chimneys, high brick walls and a road disappearing around a bend. Although quite a few things have changed since this photo was taken, some familiar features are still there today.

Do you recognise this corner of Colchester? Let us know your guesses in the comments below!

14/10/2026

Happy ! 🦴

Our Wild About Essex volunteers have been busy getting hands-on with our fossil collections today!

Fancy joining them? We’ve got more FREE fossil ID sessions coming up on 23 October at Colchester’s Natural History Museum.

🔍 Ages 18+ | Find out more at colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/handsonwith-oct

Bring history to life with us! 🏰✨Do you enjoy meeting people, supporting families and helping visitors have a great day ...
14/10/2026

Bring history to life with us! 🏰✨

Do you enjoy meeting people, supporting families and helping visitors have a great day out?

We're looking for Event Volunteers to help deliver activities across Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and Colchester's Natural History Museum. From crafts and storytelling to tours and special events, you'll play an important role in creating memorable experiences for visitors of all ages.

No two events are the same, and you can sign up for the dates and times that work for you. Full support is provided, and travel expenses can be reimbursed up to £6 per day.

Whether you're looking to gain experience, meet new people, or support your local museums, we'd love to hear from you.

Do you remember going to the Regal (or in this case, the Empire)? For generations of Colchester families, a trip to the ...
13/10/2026

Do you remember going to the Regal (or in this case, the Empire)? For generations of Colchester families, a trip to the cinema in was a big event.

People still talk about the ushers who showed you to your seats, the different ticket prices around the auditorium, and those Saturday morning picture shows that brought friends together week after week.

Many local residents remember following film serials packed with cliff-hangers. Some still recall the agony of waiting a whole week to find out what happened next. Others remember seeing classics from Snow White to Brief Encounter, and later Star Wars.

This photo shows an usher outside the cinema, a familiar sight for many people who walked through those doors.

What do you remember about visiting the old cinemas? Did you go to Saturday morning pictures? Have memories of the ushers? Remember a favourite film? Tell us in the comments.

This photograph is part of Colchester Then & Now, a project bringing together historic photographs, local memories and material from the T.C. Gall studio collection.

Be part of something prehistoric. 🦖We're looking for volunteer Discover Gallery Champions to help welcome visitors to ou...
12/10/2026

Be part of something prehistoric. 🦖

We're looking for volunteer Discover Gallery Champions to help welcome visitors to our major Discover exhibition at Hollytrees Museum, home to a spectacular six metre dinosaur skeleton that has never been displayed anywhere else in the world.

If you enjoy meeting people, sharing fascinating stories, and helping visitors have a great experience, this could be the perfect opportunity. No dinosaur expertise is required. Full training is provided, and you'll gain valuable experience while supporting one of Colchester's most exciting exhibitions.

Whether you're passionate about museums, natural history, or simply enjoy helping others, we'd love to hear from you.

Address

Castle Park
Colchester
CO11TJ

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441206282939

Website

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