Colchester Castle Museum

Questions and Answers

• How do I book a school visit?

Contact our Information and Bookings Officer on 01206 282937 or email at bookings.information@colchester.gov.uk and we will let you know which options are available

• Has the Castle ever been besieged?

Only once in 1215 when it was besieged by King John to recapture it from a French Garrison. Colchester as a town, was under siege during the Civil War for 11 weeks at the end of which townspeople were eating rats, hunger forced a surrender.

• Is there somewhere we can eat lunch?

We have a drinks vending machine and an area where you can eat your packed lunch. School groups must book in advance for our lunchroom. Families are welcome to use the lunchroom, as well, no booking is required. In fine weather during the summer the Castle Park offers an ideal picnic spot. Your ticket allows you re-entry, so you can enjoy a leisurely lunch and finish off your day back at the Castle. The provision of a proper café is something we are considering for the future - let us know if you think this is a good idea .

• Have you got a carpark?

You can park in any of the town centre car parks. The museums are just off the High Street. Click here for information

• Have you got toilets?

Yes, including a large accessible toilet.

• Where can coaches drop off groups and park?

There is a drop off point at Cowdray Crescent, at the entrance of the Castle Park. Coaches can park at the Bus Station whose entrance is on East Hill.

• How long does it take to go round the castle?

You should allow 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours for your visit.

• Do you run events at the museums?

Yes, throughout the school holidays, we run activities for children at the Castle. We also run activities in the other museums in the summer holidays. From September to March, we also run weekend activities (once a month) We also run a programme of events for adults from September to March. Click here for Whats On.

1. Is the Castle Roman?

No, the Castle was built after the Norman conquest. However it was built on the foundations of the Roman Temple of Claudius. You can still see these foundations underneath the Castle on guided tours.

2. When was the Castle built?

One early document, the Colchester Chronicle states it was built in 1076. However there are serious doubts concerning the reliability of this documents and a date in the 1090s might be more likely.

3. How tall was the Castle?

Unfortunately it is not known how high the Castle originally was because it was heavily damaged in the late 17th century. It was once thought to have been at least twice its present height but modern research is suggesting that it in fact may not have been much higher than it is today.

4. Have we got dungeons?

No, dungeons are normally underground but at the castle we have prisons which are on the ground floor. The foundations of the Roman Temple that once stood on the same site as the castle are underneath the castle.

5. Who was Boudica?

Queen of the Iceni a Celtic tribe from Norfolk and North Suffolk, leader of revolt against Rome in AD 60/61 which sacked Colchester, St Albans and London.

6. Did Claudius really bring elephants with him when he invaded?

Yes he did, we are told that elephants were involved in his triumphal entry into Colchester or Camulodunum as it was called. Imagine being a Briton and watching those enormous animals marching past you.

7. Is there any connection between Colchester and King Arthur?

No. King Arthur is a semi-legendary character who led the resistance against the invading Anglo-Saxons. Any historical Arthur can only have lived in the west or north of Britain. At the time Arthur is believed to have existed Colchester lay in the heart of enemy territory.

8. Is there a connection between Colchester and Humpty Dumpty?

No, this idea seems to date back only to the 1980s and there is no historical evidence to associate it with the Civil War and the Siege of Colchester.

9.Where can I find more information on Roman Colchester ?

The following list of books may help you with your research. Bibliography.