Colchester Castle Museum
Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ
Colchester Castle is Europe's largest Norman keep and was built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius. It was constructed around 1076 by William the Conqueror and has been a royal fortress, prison and, since 1860, a museum with internationally important Iron Age and Roman finds from the local area.
This Summer's special exhibition is 'Museum of the Moon', created by the artist Luke Jerram and featuring a large, illuminated sculpture of the Moon, measuring six metres in diameter and using high resolution NASA imagery. The artwork is displayed at a scale of roughly 1:600,000 with one centimetre representing six kilometres of the Moon's surface. Visitors will be able to see the Moon's craters, valleys and surface features in striking detail. The installation also features a sound surround composition by the musician Dan Jones. The latest exhibition follows the success of Jerram's previous installations at the Castle: Gaia (Earth) and Mars.
Colchester Castle has historical associations with Boudica, William the Conqueror, King John and Matthew Hopkins, the infamous Witchfinder General. More information is available in our award-winning souvenir guidebook.
Timings
- Saturday 12 September:
- 1000-1700
Location & directions
Castle Park, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1TJ
- Contact on day:
- Duty Officer
- Telephone number:
- +441206282939
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
There are a limited number of disabled bays by the Museum Street entrance to Castle Park.
Additional information
Saturday 12 September is the only free day at Colchester Castle. Last admission is at 1630. Guidebooks and gifts available in the museum shop. Other buildings open nearby for Heritage Open Days are Gray's Summerhouse in Castle Park, the Roman Theatre (Maidenburgh Street), 7 Queen Street (The Brewhouse), St Peter's Church (North Hill) and Peake's House. Two guided walks, starting from the war memorial at the entrance to Castle Park, are also taking place on 12 September: the Town to Sea Trail at 1100 and Walking the Walls at 1400.
- Estimated duration:
- 2 hour(s)
