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Photo: Jarry1250, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A beautiful Georgian building presenting domestic life and childhood in Colchester over the past 300 years. Find out about the origin of the famous nursery rhyme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", which was written in Colchester!
Hollytrees Museum is a publicly owned museum in Castle Park in the centre of Colchester, close to Colchester Castle. It is situated in an eighteenth-century house ("Hollytrees"), which was used as a private residence until 1929, when it became a museum.
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A fascinating chance to get closer to nature. Find out about wildlife habitats, biodiversity and climate change.
Colchester Castle
Colchester Castle is the largest Norman Keep in Europe. Archaeological collections of international quality covering 2,500 years of history are beautifully showcased, including some of the most important Roman finds in Britain. Colchester Castle offers an engaging experience with interactive displays and standout exhibits, including the Colchester Gladiator Vase and the Fenwick Hoard of Roman treasure. Visitors can try building a Norman archway, dressing as an Iron Age Briton, steering a Roman chariot, or firing a replica ballista at the east wall. Daily tours, led by expert guides, provide the opportunity to explore the Roman vaults and enjoy views from the Castle roof.
The largest Norman keep in Britain, build on the foundations of the Roman temple to Claudius it has the city centre on one side and landscaped gardens on the other. The museum covers the extensive history of Britain's oldest recorded town, from pre-Roman times, Boudicca's rebellion, the Norman invasion, medieval witch hunts, the civil war and up to the present day. Guided tours of the Roman foundations and Norman roof take place at set times throughout the day for a small fee. There is a restaurant and gift shop.
The Minories is Colchester's oldest art gallery, opening its doors to the public in 1956. It shows a diverse range of contemporary art and design by artists and makers from the eastern region as well as historic work that relates to Colchester. It has a beautiful walled garden (perhaps Colchester's best kept secret) and a cafe serving good quality homemade local produce.
Contemporary visual arts centre with exhibitions and workshops located in a new building. Also a restaurant.
A fairly large park in the grounds of Colchester castle. Annual events held there include cricket matches (there is a cricket week every year when Essex CC play visiting counties), music festivals and a fireworks display in November.