Colchester Castle Museum
Castle Park
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1TJ
England
Website
www.colchestermuseums.org.uk/castle/castle_index.html
Telephone
01206 282939
Fax
01206 282925
A visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of some of the most important events in British history. Once capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation by Boudica (Boadicea), invasion by the Normans and siege during the English Civil War.
Since the 16th century, the Castle has been a ruin, a library and a gaol for witches. Today it is an award winning museum featuring many hands-on displays showing Colchester's history from the Stone Age to the Civil War.
This museum has a Designated Collection of national importance.
Venue Type:
Museum
Castle Park
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1TJ
England
Website
www.colchestermuseums.org.uk/castle/castle_index.html
Telephone
01206 282939
Fax
01206 282925
The archaeology collections of Colchester Museums are Designated Collections of national importance.
Among the many objects to note are the famous "Colchester Vase" and the tombstone of the Roman Centurian Marcus Favonius Facilis. The extensive archaeology collections are of superb quality and reflect the central role played by Colchester at the start of Britain's recorded history. Colchester Castle is an award winning museum featuring many hands-on displays to help explain the townspeople's experience of Colchester's varying fortunes. A visit to Colchester Castle Museum takes you through 2000 years of the most important events in British History. Once the capital of Roman Britain, Colchester has experienced devastation by Boudica (Boadicea), invasion by the Normans and Siege during the English Civil War.
Collection details
Social History, Fine Art, Decorative and Applied Art, Coins and Medals, Archaeology
Key artists and exhibits
- Designated Collection.
Collections services
- General guide to collections available
- Object identification and/or written enquiry service
- Public access available to collections information
- Object study facilities available (enquire in advance)
Castle Park
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1TJ
England
Website
www.colchestermuseums.org.uk/castle/castle_index.html
Telephone
01206 282939
Fax
01206 282925
Dark Tours
Come to the Castle for an ‘after hours and after dark’ experience, where you will be taken on a tour bringing out some of the Castle’s more gruesome and dark history.
You will be taken into the vaults under the Castle, on the roof, into the prisons and around the museum, where they will hear stories of witches, martyrs, plague, disease and death. Over 16s only. Unfortunately the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Tours at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm
Suitable for
- 18+
- 16-17
When
6-9pm
Admission
£4.50 per person. £4 for Friends of the Museum. Booking essential. Book in advance by calling 01206 282940 or at Hollytrees Museum, Colchester.
Medieval Medicine and Surgery
Find out what it was like to visit a doctor in Medieval Times. Hear about the many treatments for illnesses and injuries from amputation, drilling and blood-letting to a course of leeches! You can drop by to help mix plague cures using herbs, or if you’re feeling very brave you can attend an appointment with the surgeon. WARNING – the appointments are not for the faint-hearted!
Shows at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.
BSL interpreted sessions on Monday 13th at 11.30am - 12.00pm, 12.00pm - 12.30pm, 1.30pm - 2.00pm, 2.00pm - 2.30pm.
Suitable for
- Family friendly
Where
Colchester Castle
Admission
Free (after normal admission to the castle).
Colchester’s Cruel Past
Journey through time and meet characters from the past that we don’t normally talk about. You won’t find any kings or queens but you will get to meet witches who are suffering in the hands of the Witchfinder General, people suffering from the plague and you may even bump into the gaoler, watch out… he may invite you to stay for a while!
When
10am-4pm
Where
Colchester Castle
Admission
Free (after normal admission to the castle)
History's Hard Times
Journey through time and meet some unhappy characters from the past and hear their stories. Meet characters that include a witch, plague victim, Celt and an air raid warden. You may even bump into the gaoler, watch out…he may invite you to stay for a while!
Suitable for
- Any age
When
10am-4pm
Admission
Free event (after normal admission to the Castle).
There is no need to book.
Castle Park
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1TJ
England
Website
www.colchestermuseums.org.uk/castle/castle_index.html
Telephone
01206 282939
Fax
01206 282925
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