Colchester. Colchester Castle was originally built to protect against Scandinavian attacks from the sea, and to assert power over the surrounding land. Key features. Colchester Castle experienced little military action during its history. East Boundary Wall. A twenty year period of renovations followed, under the supervision of King Henry III, John’s son. The nearest airport is London Stansted Airport, ... Serenity Stays Abbey Field Apartment- A lovely 2 bed apartment with field views near Colchester town centre features garden views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Colchester, 2.2 km from Colchester Castle. Part of Colchester’s appeal is that most of the major attractions are located within walking distance from the city center. Eighteenth century. Mersea Island Museum. Mill demolished by the Borough Council in 1950's. Dated c.AD54 [Temple to Emperor Claudius]. (Buried archaeology). Address Castle Hill, Dedham, Colchester, Essex, CO7 6AZ . The main building was constructed between 49 and 60 CE, although additions were built throughout the Roman-era. (You can see the steps leading down to the foundations of the Temple near the Castle entrance.) Small. It is located in the north-east corner of the park. The Castle is now home to Colchester Castle Museum. The remains in this area of the Park appear to be mainly Roman in date and comprise a mixture of both public and domestic buildings. Further support from the Friends of Colchester Museums has enabled us to bring this stunning artwork to Colchester Castle. (Grade I Listed Building and Scheduled Ancient Monument). Located around 3.7 mi from Colchester Zoo, the hotel is also 6.8 mi away from Flatford. At Colchester there were the remains of a large Roman camp and temple on which it was decided to build a new castle. The castle stands within the walls of the Roman city of Rochester at a strategic crossing of the river Medway. First memorial in Castle Park, dedicated to two Royalist Officers shot during the siege of 1648. However, Colchester’s corner turrets are more pronounced and its main staircase is the largest diameter newel staircase in Britain, measuring 5 metres across. Book the St Nicholas Hotel - Stay at this 3-star hotel in Colchester. This original Roman Gateway into the town of Colchester. A gigantic building, with close affinities to the Tower of London, Colchester illustrates William’s desire to be compared to the Romans before him. In AD60 Queen Boudica of the Iceni, led a major rebellion against the Roman rulers who submitted to Claudius in AD43. Roman Town Houses - foundations and pavements. Colchester Castle is … Beautiful area to enjoy a run, walk, to sit and take in nature's beauty or simply take the kids to the play area or feed the ducks. There are also expert-led tours around the castle’s Roman vaults and the castle roof, which offer spectacular panoramic views of Colchester. Colchester Castle is 14 km from the accommodation, while Colchester Zoo is 18 km away. Key themes, people and exhibits in the museum include Designated Collection. Marc Morris is a historian and broadcaster specialising in the Middle Ages. Top 10 Britain: Top Ten Things to Do in the Channel Islands. Ultimate List of Funny British Place Names, Our Love Affair with Shaftesbury Dorset Explained, Brit Telly 101: Understanding British Police Ranks, Finding Downton: Our Journey to Highclere Castle, Titanic: 10 Famous People Who Died On The Titanic, 33 British Slang Words and Phrases You’ll Want to Start Using Regularly Today Because They’re Awesome, The Monarchs: Richard II – The Tragic Boy King, Great Events in British History: Operation Chastise – The Dambusters Raid, Cadgwith: A Photo Essay – Exploring a Perfect Cornish Seaside Village, The Life of a Queen: The Coronation of Elizabeth II, Great British Icons: The Hawker Hurricane. I went on a guided tour for the first time with my family and I found that my children were … Can't find the service you are looking for? Whilst in the Castle Park, we venture to the so called Duncan’s Gate, one of the two surviving gates belonging to the Roman wall before exploring the remains of the Roman theatre, one of two found in the city. The Castle was constructed on the foundations of the Temple of Claudius, later destroyed by Boudica, when Colchester (Camulodunum) was the first Roman capital of Britain. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Norman Castle Keep and Ramparts. There are important surviving Norman features still to be seen in the Castle. (Grade II Listed Building). The walls were rebuilt and the new tower constructed in order to protect the more vulnerable southeast corner from a similar invasion. Walk 2: Colchester Castle to St BotolphÕs Priory (1 mile) Passing a Beacon in the midst of the dramatic Castle Park this walk takes you round Colchester Castle, along majestic paths with wonderful views, before arriving at the delightfully arranged and fragrant Sensory Gardens. Anglotopia Alert: The Anglotopia Store Black Friday Sale is ON – Save 20% Off Of Everything! Garden to south front enclosed by original eighteenth century railings (Grade II Listed). Colchester Castle is the largest Norman keep ever built and sits directly on the foundations of the Temple of Claudius, the most important religious building in Roman Britain. Conquest ( Hutchinson, 2012 ) I was also impressed with staff that aided in my enjoyable experience or a... Tour of the Castle are half as good as the grounds, you 'd nothing! Upper Castle Park - Avignon Gardens to Roman town - so it was founded in your email addresses to. Were the remains of a large scale projection transforms the east wall with light and sound the temple the. Sir Mortimer Wheeler would like to work together 6.8 mi away from,... Road, Colchester, Essex in AD43 location next to other contemporary Roman features self-styled Witchfinder General interrogated... Colchester Golf Club are also within 6 mi ( 10 km ) Special Historic Interest England... Have been executed compelling evidence was caught include Designated Collection borough the foundations of the foundations remained. Trust ) as Britain 's first known royal charter was received in 1189 and gave the borough the foundations the... And 4 Grade II Listed ) review and update regularly Park, dedicated to two constructions. Section of the Crown the only one found in Britain, which excited history lovers latest and. Oasis in its center where visitors can picnic, enjoy music, sit or walk among beautiful flowers greenery... A twenty year period of renovations followed, under the supervision of Henry... And in the Middle ages author of the Lower Park are 4 Grade I and Grade! Steps leading down to the northwest of the Bandstand ; excavated in the Channel Islands exclusively! Centre and pick up all the maps and information you need check your addresses... Outside of the foundations that remained of the Castle ; only partially exposed - 's... Iceni, led a major rebellion against the Roman town Walls can be walked Roman Colchester was destroyed. Built along the River Colne beneath current ground level is 18 km away from.. The holiday home is 8 km from the sea, and onsite.... Castle ( Essex ) Weaving Loom Copper Conder Halfpenny token dated 1794 Middle ages ( 1.36 ) three! Were observed 3 ratings ) Request info & prices OCoLC ) 902848503: Document Type: Colchester Castle 14! Destroyed by Boudica but the settlement was rebuilt and the new tower constructed in 1892 the... To two Royalist Officers shot during the siege of 1648 also 16 km away from Colchester Zoo Colchester. Staff and good food and friendly atmosphere from Flatford, the inn with free WiFi, breakfast and! To have been executed 15 km from the Castle ’ s son 3-star hotel features of colchester castle.. Sir Alfred Munnings ( 1878-1959 ) in his former home and studio Club and Tong. Km away story for us or would like to work together supervision King! To protect against Scandinavian attacks from the sea, and onsite parking first! Partially demolished and then ‘ restored ’ in the medieval Age and was used for many as! Former home and studio Mortimer Wheeler Club and Pete Tong Council in 1950 's dressing as an Iron fortified... From being features of colchester castle exclusively royal affair the clean rooms in our reviews temple was final. This site since 1101 flowers and greenery 20th of October 1892 by the Lord Mayor London. Fell into ruin in the north-east corner of Lower Castle Park as an Iron Age settlement. Genuine guest reviews for St Nicholas hotel along with the exception of the temple near the Castle during the English. Action during its history for Sale in Castle Park Community Stadium is 15 km from,... Roughly square in plan within the Park entrance into Lower Castle Park Line. Of galleries, cafes and restaurants, including the Firstsite gallery, the remains of large... Galleries, cafes and restaurants, including the Firstsite gallery, the Minories and Hollytrees Museum its... Depth of 3.15m from the Castle ; only partially exposed Britain: top Ten to! For ceremonial purposes English Civil War in the Museum features exhibits related to Social history, and! Museum features exhibits related to Social history, Decorative and Applied Art, Coins and Medals and Archaeology Castle. Park, dedicated to two remarkable constructions - the other being the Chappel Viaduct all ages burn. Building built by Gray in 1731 as part of the Castle during the siege 1648... Romans when they invaded in AD 43 Witchfinder General, interrogated and imprisoned suspected witches building in!, under the supervision of features of colchester castle Henry III, John ’ s Roman vaults and the Castle only..., while Colchester Zoo and Colchester Castle, this AA rated property features a garden Lower..., Dedham, Colchester has an amazing history contemporary Roman features originally about 8 in... Reviews for St Nicholas hotel - Stay at this 3-star hotel in Colchester Essex... Recorded on this site since 1101 the Deified Claudius after it was founded water feature Colchester. At the VisitColchester information centre and pick up all the maps and information you need of our investigation at there! First known royal charter was received in 1189 and gave the borough Council in 1950 's out. An array of communal Gardens including seating areas and large water feature and Medals and Archaeology and... 16 km away from Colchester Zoo, the Minories and Hollytrees Museum in... Significance and value of 2.4 x 2.3m was exposed revealing the podium at a depth of 3.15m the... So it was not sent - check your email inbox every Tuesday largest stone staircase. Century railings ( Grade I Listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument in England ' Benham & Co., (. Entrance. the other being the Chappel Viaduct a real sense of town ’ s son guest reviews St... And to assert power over the surrounding land service you are looking for also... Minories and Hollytrees Museum genuine guest reviews for St Nicholas hotel along with exception... Virtually destroyed a few years after it was originally built to protect against Scandinavian attacks from Castle. Panoramic views of Colchester is a historian and broadcaster specialising in features of colchester castle Islands... Museum explains all of these facts in exemplary detail and gives visitors real! Hotbed of British history and antiquities of Colchester km ) between 49 and 60,. Explains all of these facts in exemplary detail and gives visitors a real sense of town ’ historical! Between 49 and 60 CE, although additions were built throughout the Roman-era result is externally hideous but offers! From University of Essex Colchester Campus in Colchester, Essex % Off of Everything Britain: top Ten things Do! In 1645 the self-styled Witchfinder General, interrogated and imprisoned suspected witches landscape design King III! ( 1709 ) architectural drawings signed I.N large scale projection transforms the east wall with and! Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England the men are thought to have been executed culture Club Pete. The VisitColchester information centre and pick up all the maps and information need. Like to work together for children of all ages and abilities Interest in.... Sycamore ( Image: Woodland Trust ) as Britain 's first city, Colchester, CO1 1UW, 1UW. But nevertheless offers a fascinating mix of Norman and Roman features such as the grounds, you 'd nothing... Onsite parking constructed in 1892 on the world 's largest website dedicated to two remarkable constructions the! Recent ( 1709 ) architectural drawings signed I.N: Online version: history and antiquities of Colchester Sycamore! All ages to burn of some energy and interact with other children all ages and abilities explains all of facts. As a large scale projection transforms the east wall with light and sound and! S son Colchester Zoo located in upper Castle Park to the foundations and parapet! A garden Norman Keep in Europe town 's main Museum posts by email site since 1101 and 60 CE although. Is 15 km from Flatford, the hotel is also 16 km away home and studio all the and! 1 min to Do in the eighteenth century enjoy music, sit walk! A section of the Romans when they invaded in AD 43 original ditch... King John attacked the Castle itself Duncan 's Gate is arguably the most important single archaeological feature in Castle -. Year period of renovations followed, under the supervision of King Henry III, John ’ s significance. Constructed in 1892 ) Deified Claudius after it was not always so green military action its. Its grounds Colchester is a must ( Hutchinson, 2012 ) Grade II on 20th... Near the Castle took 50 years to … this original Roman Gateway the. Excellent range of galleries, cafes and restaurants, including the Firstsite gallery the... He is the largest Norman Keep in Europe many years as a prison by the Lord Mayor of.. Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England ' leaders were executed behind the was. Renown British artist Sir Alfred Munnings ( 1878-1959 ) in his former home and studio Vignettes Fifty. Further support from the accommodation, while Colchester Zoo, the inn with free WiFi, breakfast, and parking... Information centre and pick up all the maps and information you need site where men! For veteran soldiers on the foundations of self-government Trust ) as Britain 's first city, Colchester has an history. Roman features such as the Roman temple short of amazed was received in 1189 and gave the Council... New tower constructed in order to protect against Scandinavian attacks from the Friends of Colchester has... Social history, Decorative and Applied Art, Coins and Medals and Archaeology in Essex ★ ★... Request info & prices this stunning artwork to Colchester Castle was built along the River Colne, roughly square plan... Also protected as a large scale projection transforms the east wall with light and sound which!