Colchester Museums

A colourful promotional graphic for Colchester Museums’ upcoming events in August. The background features a photo of Colchester Castle’s rounded stone tower under a blue sky, with a weather vane visible at the top. Overlaid event details include: “Mythical Creatures Tour” (4–6 August), “Costumed Characters” (4–8 August), and “Mission Mythical: Kids Club” (7–8 August). The Colchester Museums logo and website link (colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events) are shown at the bottom.

The holidays are officially in full swing, and Colchester Castle is bursting with mythical mischief, costumed chaos, and unicorn quests this week! Whether you're after dragon tales or historical hijinks, there's something for everyone.

📲 Full details at: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events

St Leonard-at-the-Hythe Church St Leonard's was the parish church for the port area of Colchester known as the Hythe. It dates back to the 14th century but was heavily restored by the Victorians.

There’s evidence of the 1648 Siege of Colchester, with bullet holes left behind. Now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, the church stands quiet, but far from forgotten. Step inside, breathe in 700 years of history, and maybe keep an ear out for cannon fire: buff.ly/EPTHVQI

Black-and-white photograph of St Leonard-at-the-Hythe Church in Colchester. The image shows a partly ruined structure with Gothic windows, a square tower, and a man in a top hat standing beside a calf in the foreground.

Tucked away at the Hythe, St Leonard’s has watched over Colchester’s port district since the 14th century, through storms, skirmishes, shipbuilding, and the slow churn of the River Colne. For Heritage Open Days, the church will be open on both Saturdays, offering a glimpse inside this survivor.

Two women wearing white t-shirts stand in front of a screen displaying the logo "MISSION Mythical Kids club". The woman on the left is holding a large dragon model, while the woman on the right is holding a smaller dragon cut-out and a ticket. Below, on a parchment-style background, cartoon illustrations of mythical creatures surround the "MISSION Mythical Kids club" logo. Text reads: "Tickets available for today! Colchester Castle £6.50 per child £1 per adult".

Rainy day? Come meet dragons at Colchester Castle!

✨ Crafts, games & stories for ages 5–10
🕒 Today at 3 PM
🎟️ £6.50 per child | £1 per adult

Tickets still available – book now or check in at reception! colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mission-mythical

Black and white photograph of a bustling high street from the early to mid-20th century. A tall ornate gas lamp stands in the foreground with a bicycle leaning against its base. On the right, multi-storey buildings house various businesses, including "Brand Bros" tailors and costumiers. Overhead tram lines and tracks embedded in the road suggest active tram services. People in period clothing walk along the pavement, with a pair of women conversing in the left foreground. In the background, a church spire rises above the rooftops, partially obscured by haze.

In the early photo, you can just make out the old underground toilets, built on the site of St Runwald’s Church crypt. That central column? It was part of the original lighting system and is still standing today.

Busy town centre street lined with historic buildings featuring ornate façades. On the right, a McDonald's restaurant occupies part of a cream-coloured building with decorative mouldings. Several bicycles are parked at metal racks nearby, alongside a black motorcycle. Pedestrians walk along the pavement, and two double-decker buses are seen in the left lane, heading down the road. The sky is clear, and the atmosphere is lively with a mix of transport and foot traffic.

From gothic shopfronts to golden arches: this #ThrowbackThursday photograph is Colchester High Street, seen from outside the Town Hall, past and present! Today, the view is a little different, but look closer and you’ll spot familiar details that have stood the test of time.

Black and white photo showing a historic town street lined with shopfronts and gas lamps. A column with a bicycle leans in the foreground, while figures walk beside a structure with posters. Tramlines run along the road, and a church spire is visible in the distance.

Can you guess where in Colchester this #ThrowbackThursday scene was snapped? This historic view even hides a secret underground! Do you have any guesses about what used to be on this very spot?

Check back this afternoon for the full reveal! ⏳

Front view of a light brown, sheer wide-brimmed hat with an open lattice design, displayed on a white mannequin head. The brim curves gently around the face, creating a soft, airy silhouette. Small artificial flowers in yellow and purple, along with thin twig-like accents, embellish the crown, slightly offset to one side. The hat appears lightweight and decorative, suitable for warm weather or formal occasions.

The final touch? A charming bundle of cotton flowers. Ideal for lounging at a garden party, promenading along the promenade, or just pretending to like your neighbour’s sponge cake at a summer fête.

Practical, pretty, and just flamboyant enough. 😉

Side view of a light brown, open-weave hat with a wide, wavy brim and translucent lattice texture. The crown is decorated with artificial flowers in yellow and purple, along with small twig-like elements, placed slightly forward on the hat. The brim curves downward at the back and sides, adding to the delicate, airy appearance. Displayed on a white mannequin head, the hat conveys a vintage or romantic style.

The open, twisted braid design keeps things airy, while the shallow crown and wide brim offer just enough shade to keep the sun off (but not your opinions).

Light brown or beige wide-brimmed hat made from a sheer, open-weave fabric, creating a delicate lattice pattern throughout the crown and brim. The brim is undulating and floppy, contributing to a soft, flowing appearance. A small floral decoration with yellow and purple flowers and thin twigs adorns one side of the crown. The hat is displayed on a white mannequin head against a plain background.

Serving 1930s country chic with a side of ventilation, this women’s summer hat is made from artificial horsehair (also called crin), which gives wearers that breezy, floaty look without sacrificing structure.

What, the Romans or the Norman prison?

Explore fantasy and folklore at Colchester Castle's Mythical Creatures exhibition A Mythical Creatures exhibition is opening at Colchester Castle to take visitors on a journey through fantasy and folklore.

This mythical creature exhibit opened today at Colchester Castle: www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/2534225... #folklore #folkloring #mythical #fantasy #mythicalbeasts #colchester

If only!

Travel is by coach, departing at 9:15 AM from Crouch Street and arriving at the Jacobean mansion around 10:30 AM. You’ll have time to explore the house and gardens, enjoy lunch in one of the on-site cafés, and take part in a guided tour before heading back to Colchester by around 3:30 PM.

A promotional graphic for a trip to Audley End House & Gardens organised by the Friends of Colchester Museums. On the left is a photo of the grand Jacobean mansion viewed through trees, with a sweeping lawn and driveway. On the right, text reads: “Friends of Colchester Museums – Audley End House & Gardens – Thursday 4 September – £43 for non–English Heritage members – £19 for members. To book your place, please contact Joy Hopkinson at joyhopkinson1010@gmail.com.”

Fancy a day out steeped in grandeur? There are still a few spaces left on the Friends of Colchester Museums trip to Audley End House and Gardens on Thursday 4 September, and for once, you don’t need to be a member to join!

Promotional poster for Colchester Museums' upcoming events, featuring a photo of a stone castle tower with a weather vane against a bright blue sky. Three events are listed: "Mythical Creatures Family Tour" from 28–30 July, offering castle tours exploring folklore; "Costumed Characters" from 28 July to 1 August, with historical re-enactors, games, and stickers; and "Mission Mythical: Kids Club" on 31 July and 1 August, featuring dragon-themed games, storytelling, crafts, and activities. The poster includes bold text boxes with event details and the Colchester Museums logo and website at the bottom: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events.

Myths, magic and adventures await at Colchester Castle this week. From folklore tours to costumed characters and dragon-themed crafts, there’s plenty to discover for curious kids and families alike. Find out what’s on at colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events.

#WhatsOn #SchoolHolidays

Fragment of an ancient mosaic depicting a lion in profile, facing right. The lion is rendered in small tesserae of varying shades, including cream, grey, brown, and muted red, suggesting fur texture and muscle definition. The background is partially preserved, with much of the right side missing or incomplete, replaced by a plain wooden backing. The lion's body and part of its head are distinguishable, including a raised forepaw and a flowing mane. The piece is mounted on a rectangular board for preservation and display.

Look closely, and you'll spot a woven basket under its chin, possibly brimming with fruit or leaves. This suggests the lion might represent summer in a larger seasonal mosaic. Once a statement of wealth and style underfoot, now it lives on as the namesake of one of Colchester’s busiest retail spots.

Ancient mosaic fragment depicting a lion in profile, facing right, partially embedded in sandy soil. The image is composed of small, coloured tesserae in shades of cream, grey, black, brown, and muted red. The lion's form is clearly defined, with flowing lines outlining its mane, muscular limbs, and curling tail. Subtle shading and contouring with darker tesserae give the figure depth and movement. The surrounding area is incomplete, with tesserae missing or faded into the soil, highlighting the piece's age and archaeological context.

It’s over 1,600 years old and shows a lion, tail curled and head turned to face the viewer, striding through what may once have been a grand Roman townhouse.

Rectangular fragment of an ancient mosaic partially embedded in earth, depicting a lion in profile walking to the right. The lion is formed from small tesserae in shades of cream, grey, black, and muted reds, with detailed contouring to suggest musculature and a flowing mane. The background includes sections of patterned red and white tesserae on the left, while the right side is incomplete, blending into surrounding soil. The overall composition suggests this was once part of a larger decorative floor or wall panel, likely from a Roman or late antiquity setting.

Did you know Lion Walk got its name from an actual Roman lion? This fragment of mosaic was unearthed in 1972, right beneath what’s now the Lion Walk Shopping Centre here in Colchester.

Find out more about this story and others at our new exhibition at Colchester Castle: Mythical Creatures. Meet mermaids, griffins, unicorns and more! Born from real beasts, bold imaginations, and brilliant storytelling.

🎟 Included in admission
📍 Colchester Castle
📅 26 July 2025 – 22 February 2026

A promotional image for the Mythical Creatures exhibition at Colchester Castle, showing a crocodile model lying on a Roman mosaic floor. Above it, a blue and yellow paper dragon is suspended in the air. Text on the image reads: “Mythical Creatures, 26 July 2025 – 22 February 2026. Included in Castle admission.”

🐉 Opening tomorrow! Step into a world where dragons might just have scales and a snappy grin…

In 1300s Wormingford, villagers swore they’d seen a dragon. One account claimed it was a crocodile that had legged it from the Tower of London. A case of myth meets mistaken identity.

Stone spiral staircase with worn steps curves upwards inside a historic building with exposed brick walls and a wooden railing. A green TripAdvisor badge displaying an owl logo and “2025” is overlaid in the lower right corner. Bold white text announces “TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Winner.” Warm lighting highlights the texture of the stonework.

We’ve made it into Tripadvisor’s top 10% of attractions worldwide!

Colchester Castle is officially a 2025 Travellers’ Choice winner. Thank you to everyone who’s reviewed and shared their love for this incredible place. Your words keep history alive, and our team beaming. 😎

Promotional poster for upcoming events at Colchester Castle, featuring a background image of the castle’s stone tower and weather vane. The poster highlights three events: "Mythical Creatures Family Tour" (28–30 July), involving folklore-themed castle tours; "Costumed Characters" (28 July to 1 August), offering encounters with historical characters, games, and stickers; and "Mission Mythical: Kids Club" (31 July to 1 August), a dragon-themed experience with games, storytelling, crafts, and activities. The web address colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events is displayed at the bottom with a yellow and white logo.

Are you ready for a week of myths, magic and make-believe at Colchester Castle? Expect dragons, historical hijinks and a few surprises along the way. Full details and online booking at colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events

Black-and-white photo of a narrow alleyway bordered by tall brick walls and a single bollard. A curved corner wall and a large gas lamp overhang the entrance. The paving is cobbled and the alley appears misty in the distance.

Modern colour photo of the same alleyway with updated pavement, signage reading "Quakers Alley," and the same curved brick wall now topped with plants.

Our #ThrowbackThursday image was Quakers Alley! It's still connecting East and West Stockwell Street, though it’s seen some serious changes since 1933.

Gone is the vintage gaslight and cobbled paving, replaced with more modern finishes. But that curved wall on the left? Still standing strong!

Teşekkür ederim 🩷

Graphic with a purple background and white text. At the top, the Colchester Castle logo appears alongside the heading: “Important Update – Colchester Castle Now Open.” The message reads: “Colchester Castle has now reopened following the earlier police incident in Castle Park. We’re pleased to confirm the park and the Castle are once again open to visitors. Thank you for your patience and understanding while the closure was in place. We look forward to welcoming you into the Castle today.”

Colchester Castle is now open. Thanks for bearing with us while Castle Park was closed earlier. We’re happy to be welcoming visitors again!

Give yourself a biscuit, on us. ;)

Don't worry, if there's a safe place to be in Castle Park, it's inside the castle!

We do hope everyone is okay.

It definitely is :)