Welcome
Did you know that there was an earthquake in Colchester in 1884? Or that mammoths and hippos used to roam this area?
Find out more about local wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change at this much-loved, family-friendly museum. Get up close to nature as you learn about stag beetles – a Colchester success story – and discover the secrets of the drowned world underneath the North Sea.
Plan Your Visit
Opening Times
Tuesday – Saturday
10am – 5pm
Sunday
11am – 5pm
Mondays
Closed
Children
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Free Admission
Booking not required
Getting Around
50 Ways to Play
Who’s up for some fun?!
Check out our amazing ’50 Ways to Play’ challenge sheet. It’s packed full of ideas for things to do as you explore the Natural History Museum, Hollytrees Museum and Colchester’s Castle Park. There’s fun for all the family, from 1 to 100 years old!
Shop
Our museum shop offers a wide range of products, from craft kits for children to precious stones and fossils, cuddly toys to tools for nature-spotters. Whether you’re looking for a memento or the perfect gift, we have something for all tastes and budgets.
What You Can See
Get Involved
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 the Natural History Museum, as well as Colchester Castle and Hollytrees Museum.
Access
Access At Natural History
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 282941 or email museums@colchester.gov.uk and our team will be happy to help.
