Headgate Theatre
14 Chapel Street North, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7AT
The chapel was built in 1844 by William Ford Poulton (1820-1900) an architect based in Reading who is known to have built at least two other Congregational chapels in England. A schoolroom was later added in 1903 by the architectural firm of Baker and May who designed a number of buildings in Colchester in the early 20th century.
The building operated as a forces canteen during the Second World War and offered comfort to prisoners of war during that time. It has also been home to the Labour Club as well as a ladies' health club; a jacuzzi is still in place, hidden at the rear of the stage area.
The building is now a gem of a small theatre that seats an audience of less than a hundred. There is a notable screen-printed glass window in the theatre foyer installed in 2002 by the artist Gay Hutchings, whose work can also be seen locally in Peldon Church and at the Royal London Hospital.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 14 September:
- Tour 1100, 1200, 1300 & 1400
Location & directions
14 Chapel Street North, Colchester, Essex, CO2 7AT
- Directions:
- The Headgate Theatre is only a 5-minute walk from Colchester City Centre, behind The Playhouse pub, with great local bus links and within 20 minutes walking distance of both Colchester North (mainline) and Colchester Town stations. The 'What Three Words' location is ///tubes.anyone.transit
- Contact on day:
- Headgate Theatre Box office
- Telephone number:
- +441206366000
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Additional information
Parking available in St John's car park off Southway.
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s)
