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colmuseums.bsky.social
Colchester Museums
@colmuseums.bsky.social
15K followers 970 following 3K posts
We're renowned for Romans, cuckoo about clocks and wild for animals! Custodians of Colchester Castle, Hollytrees Museum and Colchester's Natural History Museum.
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colmuseums.bsky.social
Some objects are coy, but these ones wink. A Roman charm that really takes off, a medieval figure with nothing to hide, a pot that makes a race rather racy, and the Castle’s finest seat in the house, all after a loving adopter. From £10: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject
Promotional graphic for Colchester Museums’ “Adopt an Object” campaign. The design features large black and gold text reading “Adopt an Object” in the centre, surrounded by images of historical artefacts. These include a framed photograph of a person in medieval-style armour inside a stone chamber, a textured ceramic vessel, a bronze object with a looped end, and a sculpted relief showing a seated figure. At the bottom, the website address “colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject” appears in black text.
December 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Tickets still available for An Evening with Father Christmas and Friends at Colchester Castle this month. Sat 20 Dec, doors 6:15pm, event 6:30–8:30pm. Games, quiz, craft, warm treat, and a gift for each paying child. £12 adult, £22.50 child. Book: buff.ly/rjBrCnB
A festive promotional graphic featuring a close-up of a decorated Christmas tree with green branches, ornaments, and warm lights on the right side. In the background, there is a rustic wooden interior with soft golden bokeh lights. Overlaid text in white on a green translucent rectangle reads: “An Evening with Father Christmas and Friends 20 December 6:30pm to 8:30pm £12 per adult | £22.50 per child.”
December 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Still looking for a little Christmas magic? Colchester Castle’s Starlight Grotto has tickets left. Step into a cosy, candlelit setting to meet Father Christmas, share your wishes and pick up a festive gift.

Book now and make a memory: buff.ly/2aqmmQf
Festive promotional image for an event titled “Starlight Grotto.” The foreground shows a close-up of decorative garland made of green and white shredded strips, arranged densely along a railing with small warm lights creating a soft glow. In the background, slightly blurred, is a large blue and yellow dragon sculpture set within an indoor space featuring stone walls and arched openings. Overlaid text in white on a green translucent panel reads: “Starlight Grotto 18, 19 and 22 December 5:30pm to 8:30pm £6 per adult | £15 per child.”
December 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Own a little piece of Roman Britain, in spirit if not in your pocket. When you adopt one of our featured objects, you back the care and research that keeps history alive.
Promotional graphic for Colchester Museums’ “Adopt an Object” campaign. The design features bold black and gold text reading “Adopt an Object” in the centre, surrounded by images of historical artefacts. These include a bronze seahorse figurine on a clear stand, a textured ceramic vessel, a gold ring with a green gemstone, a gold earring with two suspended beads, a terracotta head fragment, and a small bird-shaped pendant. At the bottom, the website address “colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject” is displayed in black text.
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Welcome back! This morning’s Throwback Thursday photo was East Street in Colchester, looking west towards East Bridge.

The scene has changed in some ways (no more tramlines or telegraph wires overhead) but many of the buildings remain. Just look at that shop on the right, still standing!
Historic black-and-white photograph of a street lined with timber-framed and brick buildings, featuring large multi-paned windows and sloping tiled roofs. A tram track runs along the centre of the road beneath overhead wires supported by tall poles and ornate metal brackets. Several people stand or walk along the pavement, and a horse-drawn cart is visible further down the street. Utility poles and wires dominate the skyline, while the road curves gently into the distance, revealing more buildings and a slight rise in the background. Street scene at sunset showing a gently curving road lined with historic timber-framed buildings on both sides. The left side features a row of tall, narrow structures with multi-paned windows and steep tiled roofs, their façades illuminated by warm sunlight. On the right, a white-painted building with dark wooden framing and a sloping roof stands prominently in the foreground. A few cars are parked further down the street, and a person walks along the pavement. The sky is partly cloudy with golden light breaking through, casting long shadows and creating a soft glow across the architecture.
December 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Throwback Thursday time! Can you guess where this photo was taken? This street once bustled with trams and horse-drawn carts, but you're far more likely to find cars these days.

📸 Come back this afternoon to see how it looks today!
Historic black-and-white photograph of a street lined with timber-framed and brick buildings, featuring large multi-paned windows and sloping tiled roofs. A tram track runs along the centre of the road beneath overhead wires supported by tall poles and ornate metal brackets. Several people stand or walk along the pavement, and a horse-drawn cart is visible further down the street. Utility poles and wires dominate the skyline, while the road curves gently into the distance, revealing more buildings and a slight rise in the background.
December 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
White. Wild. Wonderfully wintry. Unicorns have long been linked with purity and stories that glimmer in the cold.

See them in Mythical Creatures, on now at Colchester Castle: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures
Two boys stand side by side, observing a museum display case containing a unicorn-themed tapestry, a large horn, and an animal skull. They are positioned near a large illustrated cut-out of a rearing unicorn against a stone wall backdrop. An older adult with a walking stick is also partially visible to the left. The scene promotes the "Mythical Creatures" exhibition at Colchester Castle, running from 26 July 2025 to 22 February 2026. The exhibition logo and date details are overlaid in the bottom right, alongside the Colchester Castle logo. Photo credit is given to Tom Archer.
December 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Reposted by Colchester Museums
lizgloyn.bsky.social
...all I'm saying is that the @colmuseums.bsky.social team clearly thought very carefully about which objects to offer for adoption.
colmuseums.bsky.social Colchester Museums @colmuseums.bsky.social · 6d
Giving Tuesday feels like a good day to show a little love to Colchester’s stories. If something in our collections makes you smile, you can adopt it, or gift an adoption to someone who’d love it.

Adopt: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject/
December 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Colchester Museums
madlinsudn.bsky.social
As featured in my Good Gifts Guide

(> madlinblog.wordpress.com/2025/11/17/g...)

#GivingTuesday
colmuseums.bsky.social Colchester Museums @colmuseums.bsky.social · 6d
Giving Tuesday feels like a good day to show a little love to Colchester’s stories. If something in our collections makes you smile, you can adopt it, or gift an adoption to someone who’d love it.

Adopt: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject/
December 2, 2025 at 8:39 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Giving Tuesday feels like a good day to show a little love to Colchester’s stories. If something in our collections makes you smile, you can adopt it, or gift an adoption to someone who’d love it.

Adopt: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/adoptanobject/
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Signals, a Colchester creative digital learning charity, has released a new documentary from its three‑year “Peoples of Essex” project, tracing arrivals from early humans to today. Early on, our curator Ben Paites introduces Roman Colchester. Watch: youtu.be/Obb2wbC3bag?...
Peoples of Essex Documentary
Peoples of Essex Exhibition and Documentary Series Peoples of Essex is an exhibition and documentary project exploring the history of migration and settlement in Essex. From early humans arriving…
youtu.be
December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
colmuseums.bsky.social
These remarkably modern looking jewelry pieces are proudly on display in the Castle. Not only can you see them, but we also have replicas of some of them in the gift shop!
theduncanmackay.bsky.social Duncan Mackay @theduncanmackay.bsky.social · 10d
A pair of gold armbands from the Colchester Fenwick hoard, buried before Boudica’s attack in AD60. As the Roman last stand took place where Colchester Castle now sits, the owner may have perished where their jewellery is now displayed @ColMuseums.bsky.social
#FindsFriday #BoudicaFriday #Echolands
A pair of gold wire armbands created from repeated figure eights, one seen through the loops of the other.
December 1, 2025 at 12:52 PM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Pencils poised, imaginations soaring. These young storytellers are discovering myths and writing their own in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle. Your turn?

#MythicalCreatures #ColchesterCastle #InteractiveLearning
Two boys interact at a museum exhibit; one, wearing a green sports shirt, proudly shows a sketchbook featuring hand-drawn mythical creatures, while the other, in a burgundy top, watches with interest. A red pencil lies on the wooden cabinet between them, hinting at creative activities available. Behind them is a stone-textured wall and part of a colourful display. Promotional text announces the "Mythical Creatures" exhibition at Colchester Castle, running from 26 July 2025 to 22 February 2026. The Colchester Castle logo and photo credit to Tom Archer are also visible.
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
We’ve worked with AccessAble to publish a Detailed Access Guide for Natural History Museum, Colchester. Plan your visit with clear info on facilities and routes: www.accessable.co.uk/essex/essex-...
Promotional graphic announcing Natural History Museum, Colchester on AccessAble. Large text reads “We are now on AccessAble” with the purple and green AccessAble logo. A laptop screen shows the museum’s AccessAble page with name, address and contact details, plus options for photos, map and accessibility symbols. Two preview images show the museum exterior and an interior gallery scene.
November 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
It’s not every day you meet a pair of stockings with a back story. These fine cream silk stockings once belonged to Queen Victoria. Look closely and you’ll spot the crowned “VR” picked out in openwork, a leaf‑shaped clock running neatly to the toes, and the tiny numbers 8 and 12 on each leg.
Close-up of a cream silk stocking laid flat showing the openwork crowned "VR" monogram near the top, fine knit, and a leaf-shaped decorative clock running down the side toward the ankle. Pair of cream silk stockings side by side, showing the doubled top edge with a small semicircular side tab, subtle knit changes at heel and toe, and the small numbers “8” and “12” below the crowned VR monogram.
November 24, 2025 at 8:01 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Slip past the door and into the 1200s. Tucked behind the castle’s main entrance is the oldest known graffiti on site, likely carved by the jailer.

What story would you pin to that mark? Plan a visit to see it in person: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colche...
November 23, 2025 at 8:01 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Still haven’t booked for Mini Museum Explorers?

Our next session is this Tuesday, and we’ll be exploring light and shadow in all sorts of fun ways: from shadow play and sensory games to a dark tent and hands-on activities about animals that come out by day or night.
A child is walking between two adults, hands held and feet off the ground. Their long shadows stretch across the pavement in the sunlight. Text reads: “Mini Museum Explorers, 25 November” and “Explore your shadow” with the Natural History Museum logo.
November 22, 2025 at 8:33 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
New for teachers: a KS1/2 Mythical Creatures lesson pack, with plans, slides and printable worksheets inspired by our exhibition. Includes a KS2 worksheet snippet.

Download: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/learn/teache...
The image shows a person holding a clipboard against a green background. The clipboard displays a sheet titled “Mythical Creatures” with a gold griffin illustration at the top and decorative green ivy along the edge. Below the title, the text reads: “Suggested lessons and activities related to the Mythical Creatures exhibition.” A purple pen is clipped to the board. To the right, bold white text on the green backdrop says: “Need a hand for lesson plans?” The overall design suggests promotional material for educational resources linked to a museum or themed exhibition.
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Look at these explorers, eyes wide with wonder (and maybe a bit of mischief?). They’re discovering myths, fossils, and stories brought to life in Mythical Creatures at Colchester Castle.

Curiosity looks good - come try it yourself: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/mythical-creatures
A young girl, accompanied by two women smiles as she points at a display case in a museum exhibition. The group appears engaged and cheerful, with the women leaning in to look closely. The exhibition features shells and artefacts, set against a backdrop of stone and display boards. Text on the image promotes the "Mythical Creatures" exhibition at Colchester Castle, running from 26 July 2025 to 22 February 2026. The castle's logo is shown in the top left corner, and photo credit is given to Tom Archer.
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
New at Colchester Castle: a poppy display sharing how Madame Anna Guérin helped make the poppy a symbol of remembrance. Limited signed copies of The Poppy Lady by Heather Anne Johnson are available in the Castle gift shop. Visit and pick one up: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colche...
Book cover titled “The Poppy Lady: The Story of Madame Anna Guérin and the Remembrance Poppy” by Heather Anne Johnson. The design features bold red and gold text on a textured background, with several vivid red poppies arranged across the cover. One poppy includes a black centre stamped with lettering, and another is attached to a green tag reading “Armistice Day 1921.” A vintage card partially visible beneath the flowers reinforces the historical theme. The overall composition highlights the origins of the remembrance poppy tradition and its connection to Anna Guérin. The image shows a person seated at a wooden table in front of a whitewashed stone wall, signing a book with a blue pen. The individual is wearing a bright red jacket and a scarf patterned with red poppies, with a red poppy pin visible on the lapel. On the table are two neat stacks of hardcover books titled “The Poppy Lady”, featuring a cover design with red poppies and a monochrome portrait. Behind the person, framed images of poppies and a historic black-and-white photograph with a poppy badge are displayed on the wall. A bold red banner across the top reads: “LIMITED SIGNED BOOKS AVAILABLE IN THE CASTLE GIFT SHOP.” The setting suggests a commemorative book signing event linked to remembrance themes.
November 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Tom’s final closing call. He’s off to dazzle another heritage site, but for tonight he had the honour of telling everyone to go home one last time. Best of luck! #BehindTheScenes #MuseumFamily #LastCallAtTheCastle
November 17, 2025 at 6:19 PM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Got a preschooler who loves exploring the world around them? Mini Museum Explorers returns on Tuesday, 25 November, and this month we’re playing with light and shadow.
A smiling toddler in a purple top stacks colourful wooden blocks with help from an adult wearing glasses. Text reads: “Mini Museum Explorers, 25 November” and “Create memories together” with the Natural History Museum logo.
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Ever spotted the royal coat of arms above Colchester Castle’s entrance? Our colleague John explains how to read it and how we likely ended up with it. Come see it yourself: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/visit/colche...
November 16, 2025 at 8:02 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
Reading along changes the visit.

Our Castle guides have completed Deaf Awareness training with StageTEXT and we’re developing a live captioned tour.
StageTEXT Captioning Awareness Week 2025 banner over a photo of a costumed castle guide in a top hat speaking in a vaulted stone chamber. Visitors stand in the foreground. A narrow spiral stair and arched alcove with shields and props are visible, showing the uneven floors and tight spaces inside Colchester Castle.
November 15, 2025 at 8:00 AM
colmuseums.bsky.social
🎄 Most people keep their Christmas decorations in the loft. Ours are just up a slightly more dramatic staircase…

Planning a trip to see Father Christmas? Book your museum event now before dates disappear: colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/events/
November 14, 2025 at 8:00 AM