UK Castles: Colchester Castle
Jake Davies
A good place to begin exploring Roman Colchester in Essex is at the town's primary landmark, Colchester Castle. It is know a Grade I listed building.
Built more than a millennia after the Roman settlement of Colchester, the Norman keep, the largest in all Europe, was built upon the foundations of a big Roman temple, some of which can still be seen.
However the inside of the castle is a huge history museum with many of the displays devoted to the Roman history of the area.
History
Built in the 11th century the castle is one of a series of fortifications surrounding London, which also includes Windsor Castle to the west of the capital.
Who actually designed and built the castle is largely uncertain. What is known is its vast size. The fortress was constructed on the remaining Roman foundations of the Temple of Claudius, which was built between AD 49 and 60.
The surviving Roman ruins above ground were demolished to provide rubble for the walls of the castle.
The keep is defended by a 4-metre high earthen rampart and deep ditch. Both have been redesigned to resemble parkland.
The castle was besieged for 3 months in 1216 during the so-called First Barons' War when a large part of England's Norman barons rebelled against King John.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle had various uses including as a county prison.
In the early 18th century the castle and surrounding land was bought by Charles Gray, the local MP who began some restoration, including a summer house, which still exists.
In the 1920's the Borough of Colchester purchased the castle and surrounding parklands.
Museum
The castle museum has a number of standout exhibits.
These include the Sheepen Cauldron, a large Bronze Age vessel and the Fenwick Hoard - a find of silver and gold jewellery from Roman Britain.
The Colchester Vase, found in a Roman grave, is a clay vessel with depictions of Roman gladiators.
Tours
There are daily tours down into the Roman vaults and up on to the roof.
Other places of interest in Colchester include Holy Trinity Church, St. Botolph's Priory and Firstsite - a contemporary art gallery.
Access - Getting to Colchester Castle
Colchester Castle (colchester.cimuseums.org.uk)
Castle Park
Colchester, Essex CO1 1TJ
Tel : 01206 282932
Monday - Saturday 10 am to 5.00 pm; last entry 4.30 pm; Sunday 11 am to 5 pm; last entry 4.30 pm.
Greater Anglia have regular trains to Colchester direct from Liverpool Street Station in London to Colchester. Journey times for the fastest trains is around 45 minutes.
National Express has frequent coach services from Stansted Airport to Colchester bus station and the University of Essex (Colchester).
By car from London follow the M25 motorway and then the A12.
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