Welcome

A visit to Colchester Castle is better than ever before with interactive displays and star exhibits, like the Colchester Gladiator Vase and Fenwick Hoard of Roman treasure. 

Have a go at building a Norman archway, dressing as an Iron Age Briton, steering a Roman chariot or firing our replica ballista at the east wall. 

Tours, led by expert guides, are offered daily and can take you down into the Roman vaults and up onto the Castle roof. 

Plan Your Visit

Opening Times

Monday – Saturday
10am – 5pm
Suggested last entry 4.30pm

Sunday
11am – 5pm
Suggested last entry 4.30pm

 

Directions

Tickets

Adult (inc. Seniors): £12.50
Child (aged 4-16): £6.95
Student: £7.95
Qualifying concession: £7.95*
2 x adults plus 1 x child or concession: £27.50
1 x adult plus 3 x children or concession: £28.50
2 x adults plus 2 x children or concessions: £32.95

Booking not required

Children

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note we do not currently have space for leaving buggies or scooters.

The museum is typically quieter in the afternoons, particularly after 2.30pm on weekdays once school groups have left for the day.

*Visitors who are registered D/deaf or disabled; welfare benefit recipients and serving Military personnel – proof of reduced entrance fee status required and may be requested on entry.

Disabled visitors may be accompanied by a companion free of charge.

If you would like to make a group booking, please contact us.

Prices valid until 31st March 2024.

Castle Pass

 

Convert your ticket to a Castle Pass and keep coming back for a whole year!

Residents of Colchester can do this at no extra cost. Non residents will need to pay just a few pounds more.

Simply talk to one of our team at the Welcome desk and they will be happy to help.

Tours

Our guide will take you down through 2,000 years of history to the Roman Vaults, the foundations of the Temple of Claudius. You will then travel up the Great Stairs, before seeing the unrivalled view of Colchester from the Castle roof.

Subject to availability, tours run throughout the day and can be booked on arrival. Tickets cost £3.85 per adult and £2.25 per child after admission to the Castle.

 

Interactive Tablet

Our interactive tablets are packed with goodies from mini games, to photos and augmented reality showing how some of the Castle spaces might have originally appeared. Simply look out for our tablet signs throughout the Castle for bonus content.

Tablets can be hired from our Welcome desk for just £1.

 

Shop

Our museum shop offers a wide range of products, from activity books for children to jewellery inspired by the Fenwick Hoard, games and fancy dress to replica Roman objects. Whether you’re looking for a memento or the perfect gift, we have something for all tastes and budgets.

 

What You Can See

Gladiators: A Day At The Roman Games

15th July 2023 – 14th January 2024

Discover what a day at the Roman Games would have looked and felt like!

This spectacular exhibition features the Pompeii Murmillo gladiator helmet on loan from the British Museum, alongside many other inspiring objects from the Colchester Museums collection and beyond!

Under Siege

7th June – 1st December 2023

The Siege of Colchester took place over eleven weeks in 1648, during the English Civil War. This display will feature a range of objects from the period, including coins, pamphlets and a letter written by Thomas Fairfax himself, displayed for the first time!

The Roman Vaults + Castle Roof

Take one of our guided tours to discover even more of Colchester Castle!

Head down into the Roman Vaults, the foundations of the Temple of Claudius, before ascending the Great Stairs to see a stunning view of Colchester from the Castle roof.

Would recommend the tour to anyone

Our Replica Ballista

Created by Len Morgan and brought to life by Motion Mapping, enjoy a bit of target practice!

Support our work whilst firing at the Castle wall, as proceeds from this incredible interactive go to the Colchester Museums Development Foundation.

Get Involved

After Hours

Be guided around the displays on a private tour, or crack the clues in our escape experience to break THE SERPENTS CURSE!

Whether you have big kids or little knights in mind, we have something for everyone!

Birthday Parties

Have a special day coming up? Colchester Castle offer themed birthday party packages and celebrations for children aged 5-11.

These include arts and crafts, a guided tour and a private space for you to host your own activities.

Subscribe

 

Keep up to date with our latest exhibitions, events and projects by subscribing to our museum mailing list. You’ll receive regular emails with the latest news from Colchester Castle, as well as Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum.

Access

Access At The Castle

Whether you want to know when the museum is quieter, what to expect when you arrive or what facilities we have, simply follow the link below to find out more.

If you cannot find the answers you are looking for, please contact us on 01206 282939 or email museums@colchester.gov.uk and our team will be happy to help. 

What's On

Events

Discover something new in Colchester. Browse the diary to find fun, family-friendly events all year round.

Exhibitions + Displays

Our displays showcase the variety of the collections from art to archaeology, costume to clocks.

 

Where will your adventure start?