Natural History Museum, Colchester

About the museum

The Natural History Museum occupies the former All Saints Church on Colchester High Street, opposite the castle. The nave and chancel may be Norman, and the Gothic windows date the building to between 1375 and 1550, with the north aisle and tower added later. After St Botolph’s church was badly damaged in the Civil War in 1648, its parishioners worshipped at All Saints for nearly 200 years, until the present St Botolph’s was built in 1837.

All Saints became redundant in 1956 as congregations shrank, and the museum opened in the building in 1958 with displays on the wildlife and geology of north-east Essex. The animal specimens are mounted around models of the original bodies, and the museum says most were made from animals found by the roadside.

The displays cover local habitats, biodiversity and climate change, and include a badger’s sett to look into, touch displays and a mammoth’s roar, as well as puzzles, books and a dressing-up area. The museum is part of Colchester and Ipswich Museums. A redevelopment project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Colchester City Council will restore the listed church and reinterpret the collections; the museum is planned to close in 2027 and reopen in 2029.

Highlights

• Local wildlife and habitats of north-east Essex
• Badger’s sett and other interactive displays
• Medieval Grade II listed church building
• Activity area with puzzles, books and dressing up
• Free entry

Permanent exhibition

• Natural history of north-east Essex – Displays on local habitats, wildlife, geology and climate change, with mounted animal specimens and interactive features.

Founded

1958

Operated by

Colchester + Ipswich Museums

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free and booking is not required. A Museum Pass can be bought online from Colchester and Ipswich Museums.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is on one floor with step-free access throughout; there is a dropped pavement outside and a slight slope at the entrance. Toilets include an accessible toilet with baby changing. There is no Changing Places toilet on site; the nearest is at the Castle Park café, about 3 minutes’ walk. Seating is available and the reception desk has a lowered section. A sensory map, a visual story, Sunflower lanyards, sensory items to borrow, tactile displays and sheet magnifiers are available. The museum is quieter in the afternoons, especially after 2.30pm on weekdays, and a quiet space can be requested. Some visitor services staff are trained in basic British Sign Language. Eleven Blue Badge spaces are on Museum Street, about 100–200 m from the entrance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The museum describes itself as family-friendly. It has interactive displays, an activity area with puzzles, books and dressing up, and a downloadable “50 Ways to Play” challenge sheet covering this museum, Hollytrees Museum and Castle Park. A baby changing table is in the accessible toilet.

Getting there & parking

From the A12, leave at junction 27 and follow signs to the city centre. For satnav use postcode CO1 1UG. Bike racks are outside the Castle Park gates by Museum Street and along the High Street.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop sells craft kits for children, fossils, gemstones, soft toys and tools for nature spotting.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit