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Colchester Castle

Colchester, in Essex, is the oldest recorded town in Britain, the first major town set up by the Romans after their invasion. A vast Temple of Claudius was built at the town, and it was here that the people of Colchester took refuge during a rebellion against Roman rule led by Boudicca, the leader of the disaffected Icini tribe, in AD60. The barricades held for two days before the temple was finally overwhelmed. It is thought that up to 30,000 people were killed in the destruction of Colchester, and 70,000 people were killed in the rebellion as a whole.

It is fascinating how often there are links between castles and religious buildings. Many castles could be mentioned in this regard. Going back to the earliest fortifications, it is striking how similar the circular ditches and banks of ancient castles are to early religious sites such as Avebury with their mystical circular banks and ditches. Similar structures were used in seeking physical and spiritual security. This link, which you can read about in many of our other articles on castles, is particularly interesting with regard to Colchester Castle. The huge Temple of Claudius wasn't just a place to celebrate the gods; it was also a way of demonstrating Roman power and prestige, and in that sense played the same role as a castle. During Boudicca's rebellion it was actually used as a castle by the terrified Roman population of the town. A thousand years later, following the Norman conquest, the now ruined temple finally became a castle, when in 1076 William the Conqueror ordered a royal fortress to be built in Colchester. The vast base of the ruined Roman temple offered ready made foundations, and allowed the building of the largest castle ever seen in Britain.

The contradictions continue when it turns out that for most of its life Colchester Castle was used as a prison. It was most famously used for this purpose in 1645 when the "Witchfinder General" Matthew Hopkins chose the castle to imprison suspected witches. A building designed to keep people out spent most of its life keeping people in. Many castles have been used for this purpose, the most famous being the Tower of London. Castles are fascinatingly ambivalent buildings, and it is fitting that Colchester Castle should now be a museum in which people are welcomed to explore history.

Opening Times: The castle and museum are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, last admission being 4:30pm. The castle is closed 24th - 27th December and 1st January.

Directions: Colchester Castle is in Castle Park at the eastern end of the High Street. Park in one of the town centre car parks. Both the bus and trains stations are only a short walk away. Click here for an interactive map centred on Colchester Castle.

Access: wheelchair access is good through most of the building, except for the roof and the Roman vaults. Some lectures are signed.

Contact: 01206 282939