Colchester Castle, Colchester, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

Colchester Castle is a Norman keep in the centre of Colchester, Essex, ordered by William the Conqueror in the 1070s. It is the largest keep of its kind in England, and it sits on the foundations of a Roman temple, so one building carries two of the town's great eras. Today it houses the Castle Museum, the best place in town to meet Roman Colchester.

The story behind it

Colchester was the first Roman capital of Britain, and the Romans built a vast temple here dedicated to Emperor Claudius after his death in AD 54. It was one of the largest classical-style temples in Britain. Its massive foundations outlasted the Roman town itself.

Around 1076, William the Conqueror had a new castle built on that same platform. The Norman builders used the old temple base as a ready-made footing and reused Roman stone and brick from Colchester's ruined buildings. That is a large part of why the keep is so big and has lasted so long. It is often compared with the White Tower at the Tower of London, and Colchester's keep covers a larger footprint.

What to look for

• Look closely at the walls for thin, flat Roman bricks, reused by the Normans and set among the later stonework.
• Notice the sheer bulk of the keep, then compare it with how modest most medieval buildings nearby look.
• Inside the Castle Museum, look for the Middleborough Mosaic, a fine piece of Roman floor art found in the town.
• Also in the museum, find the Fenwick Treasure Hoard, a collection of Roman-era objects that shows how wealthy and busy the town once was.

Tips for your visit

• The castle stands in Castle Park, so you can walk around the outside and enjoy the grounds without going in. Allow about 20 minutes for that.
• To explore the museum properly, set aside an hour or two. There is an entry charge, so check current opening hours and ticket details before you go.
• The Claudius Gateway Cafe, just outside the park gates, is a handy stop for a drink and to learn more about the Temple of Claudius.
• Soft afternoon light is good for photographing the brickwork, and the park is pleasant for a stroll in dry weather.

See it on a quest

In Exodus Hinge & Colchester’s Lost Centurion: Roman Britain Walking Tour & Escape Game you reach the castle on foot as one stop on a longer route through Roman Colchester. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle in what is in front of you. One ticket covers the whole group.

Historic Colchester: The Roman Visitor Walking Tour & Escape Game is another way to take in the castle alongside the streets around it. You walk from place to place at your own pace, hear the story of each stop, and work out a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

If you fancy a different mood, Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Colchester sends you through the town as a self-guided walk with a mystery theme. You see the sights on foot, learn about the places you pass, and solve puzzles as you go. One ticket covers the whole group.