3rd April 2026 – 30 November 2027
Step into a world of extraordinary discoveries as Colchester Museums unveils Discover: Museum Wonders — a major new exhibition featuring the first real dinosaur skeleton ever displayed in Colchester. Standing over six metres long and making its global debut, this remarkable fossil, known as Juliasaurus, has never been seen publicly anywhere in the world. Early research even suggests it may represent a species new to science.
This colossal prehistoric guest has travelled an immense distance from North America and is considered one of the most important dinosaur finds of recent years. Its arrival in Colchester is a rare and exciting moment — offering residents, families and visitors a once‑in‑a‑lifetime chance to meet a real dinosaur up close.
What You’ll Discover
Alongside this show‑stopping skeleton, the exhibition brings together a fascinating selection of objects “discovered” across Colchester’s own history — from prehistoric remains to curious items tucked away in the city’s homes. Expect:
- Fossils that reveal ancient worlds beneath our feet
- Magical witch bottles once buried to ward off evil
- Hidden shoes found beneath floorboards, placed there for good luck and protection
These unusual items shine a light on centuries of belief, superstition, science and storytelling.
A pop‑up Dino Store at Hollytrees Museum will also offer dinosaur‑themed gifts, books, toys and stationery — perfect for young explorers and dino‑fans.
Tickets
Timed Tickets – Book Early
Due to the limited capacity of the Museum’s historic Georgian galleries, pre‑booked timed entry is essential. Three two‑hour timed slots are available Monday–Saturday. A limited number of spaces each day will be reserved exclusively for Museum Pass holders and Guardian Members.
High demand is expected — early booking is strongly recommended.
A small exhibition levy applies to help cover the costs of the display. Online bookings carry a levy of £2.50 per transaction. Walk-in visitors pay £1.00 per ticket, or £3.00 for a Family Saver ticket. CMP holders and Colchester Museums Development Fund (CMDF) members are not charged the levy.
| Admission Type | Price |
| Adults | £5 |
| Children (4-16) | £3.50 |
| Children under 4* | Free |
| Students | £4 |
| Reduced Rate (see FAQs for qualifications) | £4 |
| Free Entry (see FAQs for qualifications) | Free |
| Hollytrees Family Saver** | £15 |
*These tickets cannot be added to your basket, but children under 4 will be admitted at your chosen date and time with your purchased adult ticket.
**The Hollytrees Family Saver ticket is available for adult and child ticket combinations. This can include up to 2 adults and 3 children, or 1 adult and 4 children. Student tickets and Reduced Rate tickets are not included in the saver rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I qualify for Reduced Entry?
Reduced Rate tickets are available for registered disabled people, welfare benefit recipients, and serving military personnel. Proof of eligibility is required. Please note that the reduced rate does not apply to seniors, who must purchase an adult ticket.
Do I qualify for Free Entry?
Free admission is available for Blue Peter badge holders (with a paying adult); carers accompanying a disabled visitor; CIMS staff, volunteers and their families; Friends of Colchester Museums members; UK Museums Association, International Council of Museums and National Art Fund members; teachers on a pre-visit; coach drivers bringing a group; pre-arranged researchers; and Blue or Yellow Badge guides.
Foster carers are free but accompanying children are charged. Home educators receive one free adult per five paying children, with children charged at the standard school rate.
When can I visit?
Timed entry sessions run Monday to Saturday (the museum is closed on Sundays). Sessions begin at 10 AM and are timed for 1.5-hour visits.
How many tickets are available per session?
Each 1.5-hour session has a maximum capacity of 60 visitors. Up to 40 tickets per session are available to book online in advance. The remaining 20 places are reserved for Colchester Museums Pass (CMP) holders and walk-in visitors.
Do I need to arrive promptly when my timed booking starts?
No, you are welcome to arrive at any time during the period, but please bear in mind that we will require you to exit promptly by the end of your time period listed on your ticket.
Can I just turn up without booking?
Yes. Walk-in visitors are welcome, subject to availability. Up to 20 places per session are held back for walk-ins and CMP holders. At times it may not be possible to facilitate entry if we are at capacity in the building and you could be turned away.
Why is the museum closed between 1 and 2pm?
Hollytrees closes briefly between sessions to allow all visitors from the morning session to exit before the next group enters. The museum also closes for lunch for the same reason.
Is there an additional charge to see the exhibition?
Yes, a small exhibition levy applies to help cover the costs of the display. Online bookings carry a levy of £2.50 per transaction. Walk-in visitors pay £1.00 per ticket, or £3.00 for a Family Saver ticket. CMP holders and Colchester Museums Development Fund (CMDF) members are not charged the levy.
How do I book for my child under 4?
Tickets for under-4s are free. These tickets cannot be added to your basket, but children under 4 will be admitted at your chosen date and time with your purchased adult ticket.
About Juliasaurus
Dubbed ‘Juliasaurus’ – a nickname for this dinosaur chosen by the private owner of the skeleton, meaning Julia’s lizard: saurus is from the Ancient Greek for lizard or reptile – the remarkably complete skeleton (70-75%) was unearthed in the world-famous, Late Jurassic Morrison Formation in the US state of Wyoming in 2020.
Remarkably complete at 70-75% of the skeleton, including a partial skull with braincase, very rarely are specimens are found as complete as this. New species are usually based upon far fewer remains – sometimes only 1 or 2 bones – therefore providing limited information about them. The completeness of this skeleton provides a large amount of anatomical data and will, for instance, allow a reasonably accurately estimate of its weight.
When it was alive, about 150 million years ago, the Juliasaurus was over six metres long and was a carnivore. It belongs to the group of dinosaurs known as the theropods – the most famous and popular of which is undoubtedly the Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was probably an adult, due to the state of fusion in the bones.
The preservation of the braincase could also help us to understand its senses: smell, balance, hearing and potentially some indication of intelligence. Only very rarely are braincases preserved. Therefore, it could give us some indication how it hunted and interacted with other animals and its environment.
Schools Workshop
When: 10am – 2pm, on Thursdays during June 2026 – November 2027
Where: Hollytrees Museum
Cost: £6.25 per pupil
During this full day session, your pupils will go on an interactive journey… discovering the world of Juliasaurus, artefacts found in the ground, curiosities from our stores and objects uncovered in unusual places!
They will be accompanied by their ‘passport’ of activities, including questions to answer, objects to find, and puzzles to solve. Pupils will journey around the exhibition, becoming experts in palaeontology, archaeology and museum curation. Expect fossil and artifact handling with our museum team and a cabinet of curiosities during the teacher-led time.
It’ll be a busy and exciting day, meeting out 150 million year old friend, Juliasaurus!
Plan Your Visit
When: 3rd April 2026 – 30 November 2027
Where: Hollytrees Museum
Tickets: Available in timed entry periods of 10 AM – 11:30 AM, 11:30 AM – 1 PM, 2 PM – 3:30 PM and 3:30 PM – 5 PM.
Visit the Hollytrees Museum page for further information about facilities and opening hours.
Access
Follow the link below for useful access information, such as when the museum is quieter, what to expect when you arrive and what facilities we have. You can also downloadable our sensory story, which highlight what sights, sounds, smells and textures you might encounter whilst visiting.
If you cannot find the answers you are looking for, please contact us on 01206 282931 or email museums@colchester.gov.uk and our team will be happy to help.
