Coronavirus (COVID-19)
From Thursday 19th March all of Colchester Borough Council’s building are to be closed to the public, as part of the steps to combat the spread of COVID-19. As a result, Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum will be closed for the foreseeable future. This decision follows the advice from the Government on mass gatherings and around self-isolation, which will have an impact on the levels of council employees available to staff the venues.
The council will be reviewing these closures on at least a weekly basis and will look to reopen them as soon as possible within Government guidelines regarding COVID-19.
Click here for the latest news on the council’s work to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Click here for the latest public health guidance visit
Museum From Home
The buildings might be closed, but we’re doing what we can to bring the museum to you!
Each week, our team will be sharing a variety of activities, inspired by the collections, to help educate and entertain.
Check out our growing library:
Welcome
With a unique mix of fascinating displays, the latest technology and hands-on activities, there is lots for your family to explore and discover across Colchester Museums’ three sites.
- Explore the national story of Roman and Norman conquest, Boudiccan revolt and Civil War at Colchester Castle.
- Enjoy the family friendly displays in Hollytrees Museum, a Beautiful Georgian townhouse set within the stunning Castle Park.
- Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change at the nearby Natural History Museum.
Where will your adventure start?
Venues
Museum From Home
Looking for things to do? Over the coming weeks our team will be sharing a variety of activities to help educate and entertain. Inspired by the collections across Colchester and Ipswich, from art to nature, archaeology to social history, we hope to bring the museum to you!
You can follow us on social media for all the latest ideas, or find our growing library below.
#MuseumFromHome
Ancient Colchester App
The Ancient Colchester App allows you to wander around Colchester Town Centre on a Heritage Trail and bring historic sites to life.
Allowing you to explore and delve deeper into the rich heritage and historic sights of Colchester, the Colchester Heritage app is a handy guide, companion and fun-filled way to enrich your visit and bring the history to life.
Including a walking trail, augmented reality, 360 degree panoramic reconstructions, a fun based camera feature and a wealth of historical information there’s pretty much something for everyone.
What's On
Colchester Museums Development Foundation
Are you interested in supporting some of the most important historic buildings and museum collections in the country?
The CMDF is a new charitable foundation that will enhance the work of Colchester’s museum service by fundraising and instructing where new investment will best serve audiences. This investment will not replace existing core funding from the Council, but will be entirely supplementary. It will allow the museums to reach new audiences and further support their work preserving the wonderful heritage of Colchester.
