Celebrate the start of the school holidays by planning a trip to one of Colchester’s city centre museums. There’s lots happening at Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and the Natural History Museum over the summer holiday break.
Whether you are looking for a free day out or to wonder at the many treasures housed in historic Colchester Castle, Colchester Museums have you covered.
New for summer 2023 is Colchester Castle’s stunning new exhibition, Gladiators: A Day at the Roman Games. Visitors will head back 2,000 years into the world of the Roman Games and the Gladiatorial Arena in Roman Colchester. Packed with artefacts from Colchester Museums’ collections, as well as loans from other museums including the British Museum and interactive exhibits its simply breathtaking! Find out more here www.colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/gladiators.
If you have any budding young conservationists and animal lovers in the family, then a trip to Colchester’s free Natural History Museum is in order. Packed full of displays and exhibits you can learn more about biodiversity, climate change and the environment of North-East Essex. The museum, housed in the stunning former All Saints Church is just a stone's throw from award winning Castle Park and includes plenty of interactive exhibits to entertain the children. Younger family members can take part in a fun competition all summer to win fabulous prizes including Castle entry, all you need to do is sketch us your favourite animal from the museum and tell us why it’s the best!
Once you’ve explored the natural world, head across the road to Hollytrees Museum. This free museum housed in an elegant Georgian mansion has plenty to occupy young families, with exhibits including toys, costumes, and art that reveal what home life would have been like in Colchester over 300 years ago. Make sure you don’t miss the much-loved Hollytrees dolls house which replicates the house in miniature! There are also free storytelling sessions taking place throughout the summer, perfect for entertaining the younger members of the family.
Councillor Michelle Burrows, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Heritage said: “Let Colchester Museums entertain the whole family this summer. From the beasts of the gladiatorial arena to the smaller beasts and bugs native to Essex, we’ve got the summer holidays covered for parents. Don’t forget if you are a Colchester resident, ask at the Castle about a Castle Pass that will give you unlimited visits all summer long after paying entry just once.”
Page last reviewed: 24 July 2023