Colchester Castle Museum,

Colchester Castle was ordered by William the Conqueror and designed by Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester. Building began between 1069 and 1076 and completed by around 1100. Many materials, such as Roman brick and clay taken from the Roman town, were used in the building and these can easily be seen. In 1215, the castle was besieged and eventually captured by King John, following the altercation with rebellious nobles that eventually led to the Magna Carta.

The castle has had various uses since it ceased to be a royal castle. It has been a county prison, where in 1645 the "Witchfinder General", Matthew Hopkins interrogated and imprisoned suspected witches. In 1648, during the Second English Civil War, the Royalist leaders Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle were executed just to the rear of the castle. Local legend has it that grass will not grow on the spot on which they fell. A small obelisk now marks the point. In 1656 the Quaker James Parnell was martyred there.

In 1650 a Parliament Survey condemned the building and the building was largely destroyed.

In 1727 the castle was bought by Mary Webster for her daughter Sarah, who was married to Charles Gray, the Member of Parliament for Colchester. In the late 1740s Gray began a programme of restoration and added the present day facade and tower. He created a private park around the ruin and his summer house still exists.

The castle is now a public museum. Included in the museum's collection are : a magnificent Roman bronze statue of Mercury, the Colchester Vase, one of the finest examples of Roman pottery found in Britain, the Colchester Sphinx, which once formed part of an elaborate Roman tomb and Gold coins of King Cunobelin.

Opening Times

Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: 11am-5pm
Last Admission 4.30pm

Guided Tour Times
Nov to Feb : 12am, 1pm, 2pm
Mar to Oct : 12am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

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Ticket Prices

Adult £6.00
Children aged 5-15 £3.80
Under 5s Free
Retired and concessions £3.80
Saver ticket £16.00
(two adults and any two concessions, or one plus three)
Group Rate (Applies to groups of 20 or more)
Adults £5.40
Children £3.50

Additional guided tours of the Roman vaults, Norman chapel and Castle roof with a Blue Badge Guide. In addition to Castle Admission
Adults £2.50
Children £1.25

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Disabled Facilities

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